Appalachian State University’s Central Dining Hall will be officially renamed Alice Roess Dining Hall on Thursday during a naming and dedication ceremony, held at the building at 4 p.m.

The building will be named after Appalachian Board of Trustees member Alice Roess, who is currently serving her fifth year as a trustee. Roess, who has three years left in her second term as a trustee, said she is thrilled to be recognized by the university.

The Board of Trustees voted in a closed session that Roess did not participate in and informed her of the decision following the vote, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Susan Pettyjohn said.

“The university has a policy for naming,” said Pettyjohn. “The naming request is taken to the Chancellor’s Cabinet and once approved there, it is approved by the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees. The full Board of Trustees then approves.”

Pettyjohn said she brought Roess’ name forward to the Chancellor’s Cabinet due to Roess being a generous donor to the university and the chancellor.

A resident of Blowing Rock, Roess serves the community in a variety of areas, including her roles as chair of the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission, member of the Blowing Rock Planning Board, General Events Chair of the Chestnut Ridge fundraisers, broker at Blowing Rock Investment Properties and member of the Watauga Humane Society Board.

In addition to her services in Blowing Rock, Roess was recently part of Appalachian’s chancellor search committee.

“It has been a pleasure [serving] that I’m sorry to see my second term seemingly evaporating before my very eyes, but [I] look forward to continuing to serve ASU in some other capacity for a very long time to come,” Roess said.

Story: Gerrit Van Genderen, News Reporter