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View larger image — 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

View larger image — Ericka Patillo, associate dean of University Libraries, bears the banner of the University Libraries during the processional. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Dr. Claudia Cartaya-Marin takes a moment to document Appalachian’s December 2017 commencement ceremony. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — Board of Governors member Philip Byers ’85 prepares to bring greetings to December graduates with Chancellor Sheri Everts. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger recognizes graduates for their academic achievements. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — Chancellor Sheri Everts congratulates a December graduate as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger looks on. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — 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

View larger image — Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Graduates often decorate their mortarboards to commemorate their dedication, thank their families and share their next steps. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Proud family members cheer their graduates from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Proud family members cheer their graduates from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — Proud family members document their graduates’ achievements from the stands. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — (L-R) Steven Denton and Christine Fronzaglia share a graduation smile before commencement begins. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — Duvey Rudow, member of the university’s solar vehicle team, celebrates earning a Master’s degree in engineering physics. Photo by Marie Freeman

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

View larger image — 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

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December 2017 commencement ceremonies

Posted Dec. 16, 2017 at 8 p.m.

A total of 1,475 new graduates stepped into their next adventure following Appalachian’s commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 16.

Appalachian graduates 1,475 at December 2017 commencement ceremonies

Appalachian graduates 1,475 at December 2017 commencement ceremonies

Dec. 16, 2017

More than 1,400 new graduates step into their next adventure following Appalachian’s commencement ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 16.

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, cost-effective education. 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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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
Events may be found in the University Calendar

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
Events may be found in the University Calendar

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