Cultivating Change: 2000-2019
By the year 2000, enrollment at Appalachian State University was over 12,500.
In 2001, the Sustainable Development Program started utilizing a farm in Valle Crucis for courses, research, and community activities. Later in 2002, a large farm was donated to the University. It is used as a teaching farm and cared for "through continued sustainable farming practices and research based preservation initiatives to maintain the cultural authenticity of the area."
In 2002, the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies grew from an annual symposium; "the Center seeks to strengthen tolerance, understanding, and remembrance by increasing the knowledge of Jewish culture and history, teaching the history and meaning of the Holocaust, and utilizing these experiences to explore peaceful avenues for human improvement and the prevention of further genocides."
On September 1, 2007, the Appalachian State Men's Football team won a stunning victory against the Michigan Wolverines, who were ranked No. 5 in the country heading into the game. This win was immediately hailed as one of the biggest upsets in college football history. The win was a lead story on SportsCenter and a cover story in Sports Illustrated. This launched Appalachian State University into the national spotlight, paving the way for future growth.
In 2007, the Sexuality and Gender Alliance group led a candlelight vigil to honor the transgender people who lost their lives to prejudice and hate.
Gender identity and expression were added to the campus Equal Employment Opportunity policy in 2008. Later that year, the campus LGBT Center opened in the Plemmons Student Union.
In 2013, the Gadugi Program was founded at Appalachian State and focused on celebrating Cherokee history and culture. "Founded in 2013, the Gadugi Partnership is a partnership between App State and Cherokee Central Schools. This partnership began as an initiative to address the critical need for Native American educators but has since expanded to support Indigenous students as they pursue various fields of study…Gadugi means 'working together.'"
Gadugi scholars in New Zealand 2023 meeting with United States Ambassador Thomas Udall.
"Four Cherokee students planted corn in Georgia near the home of Cherokee Chief Major Ridge. Just before the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee were told that they had 'but one summer more to plant corn in this country.' We planted corn and (hopefully) told the world that we were still here."- Caption provided by Dr. Allen Bryant
In 2013, a solar car team called "Team Sunergy" was formed, initially as a class project where students created a solar-powered golf cart. Team Sunergy is made up of graduate and undergraduate students, and since its formation, the team has represented Appalachian State at international solar vehicle competitions.
In 2014, in September students led a Black Lives Matter march in memory of Michael Brown. Later in December, demonstrators conducted a silent “die-in/lie-in.” Students laid down for four and a half hours to symbolize how long Brown's body lay on the ground after he was shot in Ferguson, Missouri.
Courtesy of High Country Press. Photo by, Ken Ketchie
Courtesy of High Country Press. Photo by, Jesse Wood
Willie C. Fleming became the Chief Diversity Officer in 2016. Fleming is an Appalachian State alumnus, a minority student advisor, the former director of African-American students, and a founding member of the Appalachian Gospel Choir and the Black Student Association. Fleming was also a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association and a charter member of the Pi Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Team Sunergy's first solar-powered car, "Apperion," was entered into the Formula Sun Grand Prix competition in 2016, taking 3rd place.
In 2016, students protested the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (House Bill 2) and occupied the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building. The bill required individuals to use the bathroom corresponding with their sex assigned at birth. While the protestors occupied the building, Chancellor Sheri N. Everts spoke with student leaders about improving communication between the administration and minority groups on campus.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal flag was hung in the Student Union in 2017.
On January 23, 2017, a student organization called “Divest Appalachian” marched across Appalachian State University to request that the university divest from fossil fuels. About 50 people, mostly students, participated in the peaceful protest. Divest Appalachian members also delivered their requests in a letter to administrators.
