Appalachian State University is the sixth-largest university in the system of the University of North Carolina. Appalachian is located in Boone, North Carolina, in the mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Appalachian State has been ranked among the top 15 Southern colleges and universities since the U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges Guide began publication in 1986. In 2001, Appalachian State University was recognized by TIME Magazine as a College of the Year. At an elevation of 3333 feet above sea level, Appalachian State University has the highest elevation of any university in the United States east of the Mississippi River.
Appalachian State University began in the summer of 1899 when a group of citizens of Watauga County, NC, under the leadership of D.D. Dougherty and B.B. Dougherty, began a movement to establish a good school in Boone, NC. 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 Boone and Watauga County.
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 the General Assembly 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.
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 ASU became part of UNC system.
Boone supports a population of 14,900, compared to a total ASU enrollment of 14,653 students (2005-2006). The campus encompasses 340 acres (1.4 km²), including a main campus of 250 acres (1 km²) with 17 residence halls, 3 dining facilities, and 15 academic buildings. Additionally, the new Carol Grotnes Belk Library & Information Commons opened in September 2005.
The University offers 91 undergraduate majors and 81 graduate majors. Appalachian's sports teams are nicknamed the Mountaineers, and the university operates 20 intercollegiate athletics programs.
Appalachian State won the NCAA Division I-AA national football championship over the University of Northern Iowa 21-16 on December 16, 2005. It is the first National Championship for Appalachian State in any team sport; and the first National Championship in football for any North Carolina university or college.
In 2004, a committee for the Appalachian Family Caravan tour created a promotional video titled "Hot Hot Hot," shown throughout the area by Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock. The video became an inadvertent internet phenomenon and was featured on VH1’s Web Junk 20 program in early 2006.
