App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University held its third annual Awards of Distinction ceremony April 24, honoring 29 students, faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions to both the university and its community members.

Approximately 160 individuals attended the event in the Grandview Ballroom of Kidd Brewer Stadium’s north end zone facility, including awardees, along with their families and App State colleagues, as well as App State leaders and benefactors of the awards.

“It is our privilege to recognize and celebrate this year’s awards recipients and to thank you for your significant contributions to enriching our university and making a difference in our community, region and state,” said App State Chancellor Heather Norris. “What an amazing group of individuals — you make me proud to be a part of this wonderful university community.”

The awards and honorees:

• University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Charlie Chen
• Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award: Dr. Shannon Cline
• Appalachian State University School/College Award: Alana Baird, Dr. Clare Scott Chialvo, Dr. Brandy Hadley, Dr. Jamie Levine and Dr. Katie Mawhinney
• W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion: Amarah Din, Kathryn Long, J.P. Neri, Savannah Raley, Dr. Heather Jo Mashburn, Dr. Rita Joyner and Misty Mayfield
• Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity: Dr. Rahman Tashakkori
• Provost’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity: Dr. Joby Bell
• Wayne D. Duncan Appalachian State University Faculty Enrichment and Teaching Fellowship: Dr. Cuong Mai
• Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award: Dr. Vicky Klima
• Staff Excellence Award: Bryan Belcher, Annie Johnson, Carole Greene, Michelle Hair and Mary Sheryl Horine
• Student Employee Supervisor of the Year Award: Cathy Bell
• Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award: Kaylee Greene, Jaden Hatcher, Jake Jenson, Margaret-Ann Littlauer and Kam Smith

The following App State leaders provided remarks and presented the 2025 awards: Chancellor Norris, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Neva J. Specht, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer J.J. Brown, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Sean Womack and Director of Career Development Jennifer Shaffer.

Read on to learn more about the awards and this year’s recipients. For information about past honorees and to learn about each award, visit awardsofdistinction.appstate.edu.