Appalachian State University

When Donna Fiori ‛80 received a call from the Chancellor her first thought was “Am I in trouble?” followed by the realization that she must be calling about Donna nominating someone for an Alumni Association Award.

Donna quickly realized she was not only nominated for an award, she would be receiving the Outstanding Service Award, recognizing individuals for their exceptional service to the university.

Hear from Donna about her love for App State and the important phone calls that have brought meaningful opportunities to give back to the university she loves, from walking the runway with the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University, addressing the newest members of the Alumni Association at commencement and serving as community representative for the mini-Mountaineers of the App State Academy at Middle Fork.

Donna Fiori '80 | 2026 App State Outstanding Service Award Donna Fiori ’80 received the Outstanding Service Award, which recog...

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Join us in congratulating this year’s recipients of the Departmental Leadership Awards, Dr. Dave McEvoy and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas, recognized for their service to and lasting impact on the university’s academic community.

Dr. McEvoy is chair of the Department of Economics and received the Distinguished Leadership Award, recognizing a department chair who has served in the role for six or more years and has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing faculty, staff, students and programs within their department.

Dr. Salinas is chair of the Appalachian State Department of Mathematical Sciences
and received the Emerging Leader Award for department chairs who have shown outstanding achievements in advancing faculty, staff, students and programs within the first two to five years of assuming their leadership role.

Read on to learn more about these fantastic teachers and leaders!

App State Departmental Leadership Awards: McEvoy, Salinas honored for impact on academic community App State’s Dr. Dave McEvoy and Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas are the winners of this year’s Departmental Leadership Awards. Recognized for their service to and lasting impact on App State’s academic community, McEvoy and Salinas won the Distinguished Leadership Award and the Emerging Leader Awa...

We are proud to share the recipients of this year's Alumni Awards!

The Appalachian State University Alumni Association recognized four Mountaineers during the 2026 Alumni Awards Gala on July 11.

Please join us in celebrating and congratulating:

Dr. M. Lee Barnes '90 | Distinguished Alumni Award
Donna Fiori '80 | Outstanding Service Award
Kendall Lamm '14 | Young Alumni Award
Shawn Poole | Honorary Alumni Award

As well as nine alumni from the university's academic colleges, the Honors College, the Williams School of Graduate Studies, and University Libraries.

4 App State alumni honored for exemplary leadership, service and achievements App State honored four Mountaineer alumni at its 2026 Alumni Awards Gala on July 11: Dr. M. Lee Barnes ’90, Donna Fiori ’80, Kendall Lamm ’14 and Shawn W. Poole. Additionally, nine alumni from the university’s colleges and University Libraries were also recognized.