GRUNDY, VA — August 3, 2026 — Today, the Appalachian School of Law (ASL) officially welcomed 115 first-year law students to its 2026 orientation. This incoming group marks the institution’s largest class in fifteen years, representing a monumental shift in recruitment and a highly positive shift in the public perception of the school.
The historic 2026 new enrollment numbers reflect explosive short- and long-term growth for the institution, including:
· A 39 percent increase in class size compared to the 2025 incoming class.
· A 121 percent increase in class size compared to the student intake from three years ago (2023).
This dramatic upward trajectory highlights the efficacy of recent institutional reforms and strategic outreach efforts designed to elevate the law school’s national profile.
“This enrollment surge is a powerful testament to the resilience, mission, and academic excellence of ASL,” said David Western, President and Dean of the Appalachian School of Law. “Our record-breaking numbers demonstrate that our strategic vision is working, attracting students who recognize the immense value of an ASL education. We are deeply committed to sustaining this momentum by expanding our innovative legal programs, investing in student-centered resources, and ensuring our graduates are uniquely equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing legal landscape. Beyond the classroom, this growth also provides a direct boost to our local economy, filling regional housing, supporting small businesses, and driving community development right here in Buchanan County.”
“Our community is at the absolute heart of this success, and welcoming our largest class in fifteen years is a victory we share with all of Grundy,” said Will Thompson, Dean of Students. “By drawing more students to our campus, we are actively training lawyers to combat the growing problem of ‘legal deserts’ across Central Appalachia. The growth we are seeing is a direct reflection of the incredible support from the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors and our local neighbors. This partnership ensures that ASL will continue to deliver a profound, positive impact not just here in Virginia, but throughout our neighboring communities in West Virginia and Kentucky.”
“Our team focused heavily on sharing the unique value of an ASL education with a broader audience of prospective legal professionals,” added Glenna Owens, Senior Director of Admissions. “Seeing these efforts culminate in our largest class in over a decade is incredibly rewarding, and it proves that our personalized, community-driven approach to legal education resonates deeply with today’s students.”
The surge in applications and accepted students underscores the vital relationship between the law school and its local stakeholders. Strategic investments from both the Town of Grundy and the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors have directly enabled ASL to scale its academic marketing, enhance campus resources, and attract legal talent nationwide, ensuring mutually beneficial economic and educational growth for the entire region.
About Appalachian School of Law
Founded in 1997 and located in Grundy, Virginia, the Appalachian School of Law offers a rigorous professional education boasting a strong emphasis on community leadership, community service, and alternative dispute resolution. ASL prepares dual-focused advocates ready to serve their clients and lead their communities.
