North America/United States of America/North Carolina/Boone/Appalachian State University/

Appalachian State University

• Location & Contact Information
  • Address, Directions, & Map:
    • Boone, North Carolina, United States of America
  • Telephone Numbers: 828-262-2000
  • Official Website:[2]
• History & Memorable Moments

Appalachian State University began in the summer of 1899 when a group of citizens in Watauga County, under the leadership of D.D. Dougherty and B.B. Dougherty, began a movement to establish a good school in Boone. Land was donated by D.B. Dougherty, father of the leaders in the enterprise, and by Mr. J.F. Hardin. On this site a wood frame building was erected by contributions from other citizens of the town and county. In the fall of 1899 Mr. Dauphin D. Dougherty and Blanford B. Dougherty, acting as co-principals, began the school which was named Watauga Academy. These co-principals operated for four years until the school was made a state institution. In 1903, after interest in the school had spread to the adjoining counties, Hon. W.C. Newland of Caldwell County introduced a bill in the North Carolina House of Representatives to make this a state school, with an appropriation for maintenance and for building. The measure was adopted and passed to the Senate. Captain E.F. Lovill of Watauga, R.B. White of Franklin County, Clyde Hoey of Cleveland County, E. J. Justice of McDowell County spoke in favor of the measure. On March 9th, 1903, the bill became law, and the Appalachian Training School for Teachers was established.

The new trustees met in June 1903 and elected Mr. B.B. Dougherty, Superintendent and D.D. Dougherty, Principal. For twenty-two years there was a period of steady growth, academic development, and valuable service to the State. In 1925, the Legislature changed the name to the Appalachian State Normal School and appropriated additional funding for maintenance and permanent improvement. Superintendent B.B. Dougherty was elected President, and Principal D.D. Dougherty was elected Business Manager and Treasurer. Four years later, in 1929, the Legislature again changed the name to Appalachian State Teachers College, increased the appropriation for the maintenance and authorized the College to confer “such degrees as are usually conferred by American Colleges.” Appalachian State Teachers College Seal."

Following the accession the college property had reached a value of more than $2,000,000. Dr. B.B. Dougherty was continued as President. Professor D.D. Dougherty was continued as Business Manager and Treasurer, but he did not enjoy the larger institution for long. He died June 10th, 1929, the very first day of registration for the new college. In 1930, the first four year class was graduated. That year 158 young men and young women were graduated in June and approximately 80 more graduated at the August Commencement. In 1948 a Graduate School was formed. Enrollment was up to 1,100 students, including 23 graduate students, with 65 faculty. President B.B Dougherty retired after 56 years of serving the school in 1955. Dr. J.D. Rankin became interim president until Dr. William H. Plemmons was installed. Appalachian offered programs in areas other than teaching in 1965. This change led to a more appropriate name for the school in 1967, Appalachian State University. Afterwards, three degree granting undergraduate colleges were created: Arts and Sciences, Fine and Applied Arts, and Education. In 1972 Appalachian State became part of the University of North Carolina system.

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