Appalachian State University has offered honors courses for over 50 years. In the late 1960s, several departments hired new faculty members with innovative ideas regarding student learning. Some of these new faculty members began advocating for an honors program, including Dr. Tom McGowan and Dr. Tom McLaughlin in the English department. The first departmental honors program (in English) was founded in 1970.
The initial Honors Program at Appalachian began under the leadership of Dr. O. Kenneth Webb in the General College, with the first graduates in 1972. Dr. Helen Latour (Languages/Latin) and Dr. Max Smith (Music) were instrumental in developing the General Honors curriculum in the late 1970s, with the first General Honors course offered in the early 1980s. In the late 1980s, the program was relocated to Academic Affairs.
The University Honors Program was renamed the Heltzer Honors Program in 2004 to acknowledge a generous bequest from Harry and Jerri Heltzer of Lenoir, North Carolina (right). In 2008, the Heltzer Honors Program, with a revised curriculum and several team-taught courses, was relocated within the newly formed University College, led by Dr. Dave Haney. The Heltzer Honors Program was developed into the Honors College at Appalachian State University in 2010, with the approval of the General Administration of the University of North Carolina.
In the late 1970s, the University created the Chancellor's Scholarship within the newly formed Honors Program to ensure that the most academically competitive students in the country would be attracted to the new Honors Program. It was initially a full academic scholarship, and is currently the University's only full scholarship that is primarily academically merit-based.
Additionally, in 2010, when the Heltzer Honors Program was developed into the Honors College, the Heltzer Honors Program for International Education became a scholarship program with the Honors College that supports students pursuing study abroad opportunities.
Associate Vice Provost of the Honors College:
- Dr. Vicky Klima (Interim Dean, 2023-2025)
Dean of the Honors College:
- Dr. Jefford Vahlbusch (Inaugural Dean, 2017-2023)
University Honors Coordinators/Directors:
- Dr. Ted Zerucha (Interim 2016-2017)
- Dr. Leslie Sargent Jones (2008-2016)
- Dr. Lynn Moss Sanders (2004-2008)
- Dr. Ozzie Ostwalt (1999-2004)
- Dr. Don Saunders (1987-1999)
- Dr. Tom McLaughlin (1984-1987)
- Dr. Hubie Williams (1981-1984)
Meet the Heltzers
Harry Heltzer was born in Cincinnati on August 22, 1911. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in metallurgical engineering. He began as a laborer for 3M, earning $12 a week. In 1937, Mr. Heltzer was assigned to a project to make the center line of highways more reflective than regular paint. Mr. Heltzer eventually developed a double-coated tape with glass beads on one side, but it did not adhere to the road during the winter. Instead, his discovery was used to make road signs more reflective. Later, he invented a compound that did stick to the roads, and was awarded six patents for reflective highway products.
In 1961, Mr. Heltzer was named vice president of 3M, and became president in 1966. In 1970, he was elected to serve as the chairman and chief executive officer of 3M. Mr. Heltzer expanded 3M into 150 countries and served as the company's head from 1966 to 1972, when profits increased sharply. He retired from 3M in 1975 at age 64, and moved to North Carolina with his wife, Jerri, in 1976.
He served as the chairman of the International Road Federation, the Highway Users Federation for Safety and Mobility, and the Automotive Safety Foundation, and as a director of the National Safety Council. He was also appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a member of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth "Jerri" Kent was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, the seventh of eleven children. She graduated from The Women's College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) with a degree in Business Administration in 1952, and taught school for one year following graduation. After teaching, she worked for political agencies in Washington, D.C. for 23 years. She met and subsequently married Harry Heltzer in the 1970s.
The Heltzers became interested in working with Appalachian State University after moving from Minnesota to be near Mrs. Heltzer's family in Lenoir, North Carolina, following Mr. Heltzer's retirement as CEO and chairman of 3M in 1976. Paul Broyhill, an ASU trustee, piqued their interest in helping students who lacked the resources to attend college, and Mrs. Heltzer estimates that they have individually helped 40-50 students to attend ASU since they moved to North Carolina. The Heltzers never paid for tuition, but they helped students with student fees, clothing, school supplies, and other costs associated with attending college. They want students to learn that they are self-sufficient and can further their education despite limited finances.
Honors College Fund
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