BOONE, N.C.—A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center.
Appalachian hosted two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. for Hayes School of Music, College of Arts and Sciences, and Walker College of Business, and one at 2 p.m. for the Reich College of Education, Beaver College of Health Sciences and College of Fine and Applied Arts.
Degrees were conferred on 1,123 undergraduates and 352 graduate students.
“Today we celebrate as our students leave Appalachian prepared to make real and powerful differences in their communities and beyond,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “A university campus is an amazing place of confluence where great leaders and ideas emerge for the betterment of society, and Appalachian is a shining example of this work.”
A proud graduate smiles for the camera during commencement. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Ericka Patillo, associate dean of University Libraries, bears the banner of the University Libraries during the processional. Photo by Marie Freeman
Dr. Claudia Cartaya-Marin takes a moment to document Appalachian’s December 2017 commencement ceremony. Photo by Marie Freeman
Alma Marsh (center), receives an honorary bachelor’s degree from Dr. Neva Specht (left) and Chancellor Sheri Everts (right), as Chair of Appalachian’s Board of Trustees, James M. Barnes, looks on. Photo by Marie Freeman
Appalachian’s Board of Trustees Chair, James M. Barnes ’84, told the newest Appalachian graduates, “As you begin a new phase in your life, we are confident that you are prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.” Photo by Marie Freeman
Board of Governors member Philip Byers ’85 prepares to bring greetings to December graduates with Chancellor Sheri Everts. Photo by Marie Freeman
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger recognizes graduates for their academic achievements. Photo by Marie Freeman
University General Counsel Dayton Cole as mace bearer for today’s commencement ceremonies. The mace serves as a symbol of authority just as it did during the Middle Ages when a mace bearer accompanied an official taking office or opening court. Cole has announced he will retire from the university in 2018, after three decades of service to Appalachian. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduates find themselves projected on the large screen for the audience. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Candidates for master's degrees display their regalia, including their light blue hoods. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
A proud graduate flashes a smile while filing in for commencement. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts congratulates a December graduate as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger looks on. Photo by Marie Freeman
A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman
Proud family members cheer their graduates from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman
Proud family members cheer their graduates from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman
Proud family members document their graduates’ achievements from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman
(L-R) Steven Denton and Christine Fronzaglia share a graduation smile before commencement begins. Photo by Marie Freeman
Patrick Campbell graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Secondary Education. A featured commencement speaker, he told the audience, “While I might be headed off to be a high school teacher, we all now bear the responsibility to be the educators in this world.” Photo by Marie Freeman
Proud graduates gather, ready to file in for the 2017 commencement ceremony. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Alumni Association president Wayne Miller ’85 told the assembled graduates, “The first day you decided to attend Appalachian State you became a part of a very special group – the Appalachian Family.” Photo by Marie Freeman
Duvey Rudow, member of the university’s solar vehicle team, celebrates earning a Master’s degree in engineering physics. Photo by Marie Freeman
Talana Bell addressed the crowd as a representative of the Williams School of Graduate Studies. “Thirty years ago, I graduated with a BSBA from the Walker College of Business and pursued a career in accounting. When I retired from healthcare accounting, I knew I wanted to return to my alma mater to earn my MBA and MS in Accounting and to create even more wonderful memories. Both tenures at Appalachian gave me opportunities and experiences that I may not have received at larger universities. One such example was the opportunity to ‘cross pollinate’ into other colleges on campus. During my graduate studies, I once again encountered professors who are passionate about their areas of expertise and their students.” Photo by Marie Freeman
A proud graduate flashes a smile while filing in for commencement. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Graduate Michael Solter poses with his siblings, all of whom are enrolled at Appalachian: Kjersti, far left, is a sophomore healthcare management major; Elizabeth “Lily,” second from left, is a freshman studying international business; and Caitlin is a senior majoring in finance and banking, and risk management and insurance. Their parents, Alan and Amy Solter of New Bern, refer to the students as the “Quad Squad.” Photo submitted
See photos from Appalachian State University’s commencement ceremonies Dec. 16, 2017.
Student leaders, exciting futures
Appalachian engages students in its commencement ceremonies, selecting one bachelor’s candidate and one master’s degree candidate to give remarks and another graduating student to welcome everyone in attendance.
Selected for the 10 a.m. commencement were Patrick G. Campbell, who earned a Bachelor of Science in physics, secondary education and graduated magna cum laude, and Talana J. Bell ’86, who returned to Appalachian to earn a Master of Science in accounting. Giving welcoming remarks was Emily G. Arbour, who earned a Bachelor of Music in music performance.
Campbell is from Charlotte and plans to teach physics at a private boarding school in Suzhou, China, after graduation. Bell, originally from Statesville, had a career in health care accounting and retired as CFO with Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, before coming to Appalachian. She was recently named executive assistant to the dean in Appalachian’s Walker College of Business. Arbour plans to pursue a master’s degree and develop a career as both a performer and teacher.
Those selected for the 2 p.m. ceremony were Dayne O. Shelor, who earned a Bachelor of Science in communication, public relations with a minor in music, and Monica B. Gudger, who earned a Master of School Administration. Welcoming the audience was Jill Kocsis, who earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and foods.
Shelor is from Cary and was involved in Boone’s local music scene while a student. He plans to pursue music professionally in Durham while building a tiny house. Gudger is from Denver, North Carolina, and works as an exceptional children program specialist with plans to become a director of exceptional children in a school setting. Kocsis is from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and transferred to Appalachian in 2015. As a student, she collaborated with scientists at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. She plans to continue following her passion for food research in graduate school.
"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences, and the civic and community responsibilities, of any job or career I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work."
A celebration of achievement, great expectations for the future
About Appalachian State University
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.
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