BOONE, N.C. (WBTV) – Country music singer Luke Combs was given an honorary degree from Appalachian State University during the school’s graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 7.
A Charlotte-area native who went to high school in Asheville, Combs studied at App State before his music career took off.
The country star was reportedly just 21 hours short of graduating from Appalachian State but got his start playing small shows in the college town of Boone.
“In every sense, Luke Combs represents the character and heart of a Mountaineer,” App State Chancellor Heather Norris said during the ceremony. “His story inspires our students to dream big, work hard and always remember where they came from.”
“He represents the very best of our university community: a life lived with purpose, driven by a commitment to excellence and a genuine care for others,” Norris went on.
Now 36 years old, Combs is one of the top-selling country singers of all time, and has nearly two dozen No. 1 hits.
He has been a mainstay on the country music scene for about 10 years now but has not forgotten his Carolina roots. After Hurricane Helene devastated much of Western North Carolina, Combs came home and held a benefit concert in Charlotte — “Concert for Carolina” — that raised $24 million for relief.
“My goodness, what a night!” he posted after the benefit concert in October 2024. “This will undoubtedly go down as the night I am most proud of in my career. Being able to give back to the place that gave me so much.”
Combs has also been a vocal App State football and Carolina Panthers supporter, often wearing Mountaineers or Panthers gear during public and media appearances.
The country music icon went to Appalachian State from 2008-2012, and got his honorary degree in music.
Also Read: Luke Combs calls Concert for Carolina ‘the night I am most proud of’
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