COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN: A prominent empty building enables Appalachian State University to expand.

• Date: 01 October 2023
• Author: Ellis, Kevin
• Published date: 01 October 2023
• Author: Ellis, Kevin

Remove Hickory from North Carolina's largest metropolitan areas without a four-year public university.

Hundreds of students like 2023 East Burke High School graduate Macy Carson started classes in late August at Appalachian State University's campus in Hickory, resurrecting a five-story, 225,000-square-foot building originally used as a furniture market.

"I really do think I'm going to get my dreams accomplished here," says Carson. The Hickory campus allows Carson to attend Appalachian State and live at home. Carson also benefits from a $2,000 "Hickory First Scholarship," offered to all inaugural students, cutting tuition to about $6,000 a year, before any other financial aid.

"It's really close to home, and the price is really good," says Carson. She hopes an entrepreneurship degree will help her start a business putting her artwork on clothing and other items.

The...