The 125-year history of Appalachian State University rests on the ambitious yet selfless dream of empowering impoverished mountain families through education. Dauphin Disco Dougherty, his wife Lillie Shull Dougherty, and his bachelor brother, Blanford Barnard Dougherty, founded a small semi-private high school in 1899 at great personal cost and would only be able to sustain its growth to a state teacher’s college through their fortitude of character and commitment.
Drawing extensively on primary sources, some of which have never been a part of a book-length study, this history presents the first 30 years of the university’s life and background. With over 100 historic images and dozens of first-hand accounts and interviews, Doris Perry Stam’s extensive research uncovers forgotten foundations and fascinating personal details of the schools’ founders, bringing the first 30 years of App State to life.

Doris Perry Stam’s roots go deep in Watauga County—home to all her ancestors, including the founders of Appalachian State University. She enjoyed a career of music and elementary education before launching into writing and research. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Doris Perry Stam
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: ca. 120 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2024
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9663-8
eISBN: 978-1-4766-5477-5
Imprint: McFarland
Series: Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies