The 2024–25 recipients of App State’s New River Light and Power Scholarship, all of whom are spring 2024 graduates of Watauga High School in Boone. Pictured, from left to right, are first-year students James Collins, Thomas Cook, Kasey Gragg, Brielynn Myers and Stryker Ward. Photos submitted
“Since 1988, New River Light and Power has awarded almost $2 million in scholarships to Watauga County students.”
App State NRLP General Manager Matt Makdad
BOONE, N.C. — Five first-year Mountaineer students — all graduates of Watauga High School — have been named recipients of Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) Scholarship for the 2024–25 academic year. Established in 1988, the scholarship provides funding to Watauga County students pursuing higher education at App State and is a key part of App State’s founding mission to increase access to higher education.
“Since 1988, New River Light and Power has awarded almost $2 million in scholarships to Watauga County students.”
App State NRLP General Manager Matt Makdad
The 2024–25 scholarship recipients:
The NRLP award provides students with $4,000 each year and is renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters or four years of undergraduate study, excluding Summer Sessions. All graduating high school seniors residing in Watauga County who have been accepted to App State are eligible to apply for the NRLP Scholarship. Recipients must maintain a required 3.0 GPA at the end of each academic year to retain the scholarship.
“Since 1988, New River Light and Power has awarded almost $2 million in scholarships to Watauga County students,” said NRLP General Manager Matt Makdad. “Empowering our local community through education is an important part of our mission. We are proud that these newest scholarship recipients are part of the long legacy of public power supporting local communities.”
In addition to its signature scholarship, NRLP is establishing a Lineworker Scholarship in partnership with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Electrical Lineworker Institute, which is set to launch in 2025. This scholarship will cover the cost of the lineworker program and will be made available to Watauga High School graduating seniors.
“With this new scholarship, NRLP hopes to encourage a new generation of lineworkers from the High Country to serve in these much-needed roles,” said NRLP Operations Superintendent Alan Byrd, a second-generation lineworker.
The utility also contributes approximately $650,000 each year to the App State general scholarship fund, which supports the Chancellor’s Scholarship as well as other university scholarships.
To learn more about App State scholarships, including the NRLP Scholarship Program, visit scholarships.appstate.edu.
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For more than 100 years, Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) — a nonprofit electric utility operated by the Division of Business Affairs — has provided power to Western North Carolina residents. Today, NRLP serves nearly 8,500 residential and commercial customers who reside in and near the town of Boone. In January 2022, the utility will begin purchasing its electricity from Carolina Power Partners — a partnership that opens greater renewable energy opportunities. In partnership with Appalachian’s Office of Sustainability, Facilities Operations and Renewable Energy Initiative, NRLP has assisted with various energy efficiency projects across campus, including installing solar panels and providing funding for the Broyhill Wind Turbine located on Bodenheimer Drive. The utility holds the American Public Power Association’s highest Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation for providing reliable and safe electric service, and approximately $650,000 of its budget is reserved annually for contributions to Appalachian’s general scholarship fund.
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships.
For more than 100 years, Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) — a nonprofit electric utility operated by the Division of Finance and Operations — has provided power to Western North Carolina residents. Today, NRLP serves nearly 9,000 residential and commercial customers who reside in and near the town of Boone. In January 2022, the utility began purchasing its electricity from Carolina Power Partners — a partnership that opens greater renewable energy opportunities. In partnership with App State’s Office of Sustainability, Facilities Operations and Renewable Energy Initiative, NRLP has assisted with various energy efficiency projects across campus, including installing solar panels and providing funding for the Broyhill Wind Turbine located on Bodenheimer Drive. The utility holds the American Public Power Association’s Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation for providing reliable and safe electric service, and approximately $650,000 of its budget is reserved annually for contributions to App State’s general scholarship fund. Learn more at https://nrlp.appstate.edu.
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships. Learn more at https://scholarships.appstate.edu.
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
“Since 1988, New River Light and Power has awarded almost $2 million in scholarships to Watauga County students.”
App State NRLP General Manager Matt Makdad
For more than 100 years, Appalachian State University’s New River Light and Power (NRLP) — a nonprofit electric utility operated by the Division of Business Affairs — has provided power to Western North Carolina residents. Today, NRLP serves nearly 8,500 residential and commercial customers who reside in and near the town of Boone. In January 2022, the utility will begin purchasing its electricity from Carolina Power Partners — a partnership that opens greater renewable energy opportunities. In partnership with Appalachian’s Office of Sustainability, Facilities Operations and Renewable Energy Initiative, NRLP has assisted with various energy efficiency projects across campus, including installing solar panels and providing funding for the Broyhill Wind Turbine located on Bodenheimer Drive. The utility holds the American Public Power Association’s highest Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation for providing reliable and safe electric service, and approximately $650,000 of its budget is reserved annually for contributions to Appalachian’s general scholarship fund.
Appalachian State University offers students the opportunity to receive a world-class education at an affordable rate, with an average of $25 million awarded to incoming, current and transfer students each year based on need, as well as academic and athletic achievement. On average, about $4.9 million in outside aid is awarded to App State students annually. App State’s Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships assists students in learning about and applying for these university scholarship opportunities and also shares information about non-App State scholarships.
Share your feedback on this story.
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you’re looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.
If you cannot find what you’re looking for here, please refer to the following sources:
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