Notable Alumni of Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (ASU), a public research university located in Boone, North Carolina, has produced a diverse array of accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. From business and politics to entertainment and sports, ASU alumni have left their mark on the world. This article highlights some of the university's most notable graduates and their achievements.
Appalachian State University: A Brief Overview
Founded in 1899 as a teachers' college by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and the latter's wife, Lillie Shull Dougherty, Appalachian State University has evolved into a comprehensive institution offering more than 150 bachelor's degrees and 70 graduate degree programs, including two doctoral programs. The university comprises eight colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Walker College of Business, the Reich College of Education, the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Beaver College of Health Sciences, the Honors College, the Hayes School of Music, and University College. ASU's athletic teams, known as the Mountaineers, compete in NCAA Division I, primarily in the Sun Belt Conference.
Prominent Alumni in Business and Entrepreneurship
Many ASU alumni have achieved success in the business world, demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills.
- Aaron Fechter: A graduate of the University of South Florida, Fechter is known for his contributions to the field of animatronics and entertainment.
- Alan Gershenhorn: An alumnus of the University of Houston, Gershenhorn has made significant strides in the logistics and supply chain industry.
- Andrew C. Taylor: As Chairman and CEO of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Taylor, a University of Denver graduate, leads one of the largest car rental companies in the world.
- Charles W. Moorman IV: A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Moorman has held leadership positions in the transportation industry.
- Conrad N. Hilton: The founder of Hilton Hotels, Hilton, a New Mexico State University alumnus, revolutionized the hospitality industry.
- Daniel S. Mead: As President of Verizon Services Corp., Mead, a Pennsylvania State University graduate, oversees a major telecommunications provider.
- Ed C. Droste: As Chairman of Provident Management Corporation, Droste, an Iowa State University alumnus, has demonstrated expertise in financial management.
- Frederick G. Michel: As Chairman of the Board & CEO of JELD-WEN Holdings, Inc., Michel, a Virginia Polytechnic Institute graduate, leads a global manufacturer of building products.
- Howard D. Schultz: The Chairman and Chief Global Strategist of Starbucks Coffee Company, Schultz, a Northern Michigan University alumnus, transformed the coffeehouse experience.
- James H. Goodnight: As President/CEO of SAS Institute, Goodnight, a North Carolina State University graduate, has been a pioneer in the field of analytics software.
- James R. Crane: As Chairman & CEO of Crane Capitol Group, Crane, a University of Central Missouri alumnus, has made significant contributions to the transportation and logistics industries.
- Jeff C. Borchardt: As President & CEO of Kansas City Board of Trade, Borchardt, a Northwest Missouri State University alumnus, has demonstrated leadership in the financial sector.
- Joe J. Sculley: A graduate of the University of Southern California, Sculley has achieved success in the technology industry.
- Joseph W. Evans: As Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of State Bank & Trust Co., Evans, a Georgia Institute of Technology alumnus, has made a significant impact on the banking industry.
- Kenny A. Troutt: An alumnus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Troutt is known for his success in the telecommunications and thoroughbred horse racing industries.
- Kevin M. Dotts: As CFO/Senior Vice President of Internap Network Services Corp., Dotts, a Drexel University alumnus, has demonstrated expertise in financial management and technology.
- Marc R. Benioff: As President and Founder/CEO of Salesforce.com, Benioff, a University of Southern California alumnus, has revolutionized the customer relationship management (CRM) software industry.
- Mark K. Johnson: As President and CEO of Johnson Storage & Moving, Johnson, a University of Utah alumnus, has made significant contributions to the moving and storage industry.
- Miles D. White: As Chairman and CEO of Abbott Laboratories, White, a Purdue University alumnus, leads a major healthcare company.
- Orvil G. Bicknell: As Chairman of the Board, CEO and Director of National Pizza Co., Bicknell, a Pittsburg State University alumnus, has demonstrated leadership in the restaurant industry.
- Paul F. Oreffice: As Retired Chief Executive Officer of Dow Chemical Co., Oreffice, a Purdue University alumnus, led a major chemical company.
- Robert L. Nardelli: As Chairman & CEO of Chrysler LLC, Nardelli, a Western Illinois University alumnus, led a major automotive company.
Notable Alumni in Politics and Public Service
ASU alumni have also made significant contributions to the field of politics and public service, serving in various elected and appointed positions.
- Ted Budd: Serving as the junior United States senator for North Carolina since 2023, Budd, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science, previously represented North Carolina's 13th congressional district from 2017 to 2023.
- Mark Harris: A pastor and politician from North Carolina, Harris has served as a representative for North Carolina's 8th congressional district since 2025.
- Brock Long: Long served as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Allen Joines: Currently serving as the mayor of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Joines was also appointed chairman of the North Carolina Economic Development Board in 2009.
- Buck Newton: Newton is an American lawyer and politician who serves as a Republican state senator in the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Ritch Workman: Workman is a former Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives.
- Grey Mills: Mills is an American politician who previously served as a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
- Chad Barefoot: Barefoot is a former Republican member of the North Carolina Senate, representing North Carolina's 18th Senate district from 2013 to 2018.
Prominent Alumni in Arts, Entertainment, and Media
ASU alumni have also found success in the arts, entertainment, and media industries, showcasing their creativity and talent.
Read also: ASU Admissions Guide
- Eric Church: A country music singer-songwriter, Church has released nine studio albums through Capitol Nashville since 2005.
- Franklin Graham: An evangelist and missionary, Graham is the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and of Samaritan's Purse.
- Stephen J. Dubner: An author, journalist, and podcast and radio host, Dubner is co-author of the popular Freakonomics book series.
- Eric Bachmann: A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, Bachmann is known as the frontman of Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers.
- Jonathan Scales: A steel pannist and composer, Scales has recorded and produced seven albums.
Notable Alumni in Athletics
ASU has a strong athletic tradition, and many of its alumni have gone on to achieve success in professional sports.
- Charlotte Flair: A professional wrestler, Flair is signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand and is the current WWE Women’s Champion.
- Luke Combs: A country singer, Combs began performing as a child and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in music.
- Kendall Lamm: An American professional football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL).
- Harrison Delbridge: An Australian professional soccer player who plays for K League 1 club Incheon United and the Australia national team.
- Daniel Wilcox: An American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL).
- Isaac Butts: An American professional basketball player for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the B.League.
- Don Cardwell: An American Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed pitcher who played for five National League (NL) teams from 1957 to 1970.
Other Notable Alumni
- Steven M. Greer: An American ufologist and a retired physician.
- Eustace Conway: An American naturalist and the subject of the book The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert.
- David Weber: An American science fiction and fantasy author.
- Jo Zayner: A biohacker, artist, and scientist best known for their self-experimentation and work making hands-on genetic engineering accessible to a lay audience.
- Jeffrey Springs: An American professional baseball pitcher for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB).
- Mark Newhouse: An American professional poker player who made back-to-back final tables at the World Series of Poker Main Event in the 2013 and 2014.
- Bucky Waters: An American basketball broadcaster with ESPN and Madison Square Garden Network and a retired basketball coach.
- William W. Hartzog: A United States Army General whose commands during his 35-year career include the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, the 1st Infantry Division, and United States Army South.
- Robert P. Ashley Jr.: A retired lieutenant general in the United States Army who served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 2017 to 2020.
- John R. Evans Jr.: A retired United States Army lieutenant general who last served as the commanding general of United States Army North from 2021 to 2024.
Read also: A Guide to App State's Out-of-State Costs
Read also: Find Your Perfect App State Look
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