By Courtney Robers. BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has received a significant gift from Mountaineers Jeff Mick and Liz Mick ’81, of Jefferson, benefitting multiple areas across the university, including programmatic needs for the online veterinary technology degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences; scholarships and programmatic needs in the Walker College of Business and scholarships for student-athletes on the men’s and women’s golf teams.
“Jeff and Liz have made a tremendous difference for the entire App State Community,” said Will Sears, App State’s interim vice chancellor of university advancement. “Their commitment to our university has set an incredible example of generosity and forward-thinking investment.”
Equipping future veterinary professionals
The funding for the online veterinary technology program allowed App State to host an accelerated clinical skills lab, or “bootcamp,” in July. The program provided students with the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge pertaining to bovine, equine, small ruminant, rodent, rabbit and avian care.
The relative scarcity of large animal and exotic animal veterinary facilities makes it difficult for students to achieve competence in these areas otherwise, said Dr. Michael Madritch, dean of App State’s College of Arts and Sciences.
This gift honors the memory of Buddy Mick, the Mick family’s longtime canine companion, who passed away in 2023.
“We are extremely grateful to the Micks for creating this important and unique opportunity for our students,” said Madritch. “And we are proud to partner with them in preparing Mountaineers for successful careers in veterinary technology by giving students the hands-on skills they will need in the field.”
Investing in future business leaders
A substantial portion of the Micks’ gift will be used to establish The Jeffrey and Elizabeth Mick First-Generation Endowed Scholarship in the Walker College of Business.
This scholarship will cover more than a third of the cost of tuition for one junior or senior business student each year, with priority given to first-generation students.
Support has also been allocated to the Walker College of Business Dean’s Club, which provides flexible funding for professorships, professional development, research, industry guest lectures and student scholarships.
“The Mick family’s ongoing support of the Walker College of Business is instrumental in helping App State business students succeed,” said Walker College Dean Sandra Vannoy. Vannoy shared that the Micks’ contributions empower Walker College students to focus on their academic success, which paves the way for impactful careers.
Previously, the Micks have invested in numerous other areas within the college, including the establishment of The Elizabeth and Jeffrey Mick Endowed Scholarship in Business and The Elizabeth and Jeffrey Mick Endowed Scholarship in Accounting, as well as support for multiple other Walker College scholarships and the Bowden Investment Group.
Continuing support for athletics
The Micks also contributed to the men’s and women’s golf teams, expanding the impact of their existing namesake scholarships — established for the men’s team in 2021 and for the women’s team in 2019.
These annual renewable scholarships provide support for multiple members of the men’s and women’s golf teams who maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.
The Micks have been longtime supporters of App State Athletics, contributing to several other initiatives, including A Mountaineer Impact and the Yosef Club, and are members of the Yosef Club Circle of Excellence Society. In 2022, they helped raise crucial funds for the men’s and women’s basketball programs through a challenge gift, inspiring other donors to join them in supporting an initiative to renovate office space for the teams’ coaches.
“We are very grateful for the investment that Jeff and Liz continue to make in support of student-athletes,” said Doug Gillin, App State director of athletics. “Their direct support of scholarships, facilities and innovative initiatives is making a significant impact on App State Athletics. They are truly Mountaineers who give their all for App!”
About the Micks
Liz Snow Mick grew up in Galax, Virginia, and committed to attend App State during a high school campus visit to Boone. She graduated from App State in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. In 2022, she was recognized by Walker College as the inaugural recipient of the Walker College of Business Scholarship Leaders Award.
Her husband, Jeff, currently serves on Walker College’s Business Advisory Council and was named as an honorary App State alumnus in 2014.
Both Liz and Jeff are members of the Walker College of Business Dean’s Club.
