The spring of 1995 found Dwayne Stafford walking down Rivers Street in Boone. Undecided on his college plans, he came to campus with two friends who were Walker College of Business hopefuls. While they went to their Open House events, Dwayne went exploring and quite literally bumped into Dr. Mark Estepp just outside Katherine Harper Hall (formerly Kerr Scott Hall). After exchanging introductions, Dr. Estepp asked Dwayne what he wanted to do. Dwayne replied, "I just want to build houses." With that, Dr. Estepp invited Dwayne into the building, saying, "We just started this program in building science," and from that moment forward, Dwayne became a Mountaineer.
Dwayne maximized his college experience, where he stayed busy and graduated cum laude in 3 ½ years. He took full course loads, worked off campus, and took summer school classes. He made life-long friends with the brothers in his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega. After graduation, he began working as a project manager for his mentor, Carl Carney, at Davie Construction, and in a few short years, Dwayne decided to form his own business, Stafford Construction.
Dwayne has always believed in giving back. "I wanted to build houses, and Appalachian State built me." Dwayne developed the Stephen Wilson Stafford Memorial Endowed Scholarship as a tribute to his father and to support students who have experienced personal hardship that has impeded their ability to stay in school. Dwayne is a member of the 1899 Legacy Society and serves on the STBE Advisory Council.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University's College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences, and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://faa.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, grow holistically, act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
2023 CFAA Alumni of the Year
2023 CFAA Alumni of the Year