BOONE, N.C. — Families and friends gathered in Holmes Convocation Center to watch 274 members of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 cross the commencement stage during two ceremonies. These events — more than 16 months in the making — were part of a weekend of celebrations hosted by App State’s Office of Alumni Affairs, Sept. 23–25.
In her commencement remarks, App State Chancellor Sheri Everts said, “We celebrate the successes of the Class of 2020 as they mark a most defining moment in their academic careers — a moment that has been long awaited, highly anticipated and well deserved. It is finally your turn for pomp and circumstance, in person!”
The Class of 2020 graduated at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a time at which state and local regulations would not allow for an in-person ceremony. In May 2020 and December 2020, App State hosted virtual commencement ceremonies with the promise of a future face-to-face celebration.
Everts applauded the graduates and said, “Through the uncertainties and across distance, you showed incredible grace and unwavering resilience.”
The ceremony retained the hallmarks of a traditional commencement. Everts and Provost Heather Hulburt Norris offered congratulatory remarks to graduates, Dr. Jay Jackson, associate dean of App State’s Hayes School of Music, served as the bearer of the university mace and J.J. Brown, App State’s vice chancellor of student affairs, carried the university banner.
Appalachian State University graduates recess out of Holmes Convocation Center after a long-awaited, in-person commencement ceremony held Sept. 25. App State hosted two commencement ceremonies Sept. 25 for nearly 275 members of the Class of 2020. Photo by Troy Tuttle
Appalachian State University Class of 2020 graduates stood to show respect during the singing of the national anthem at an in-person commencement ceremony held Sept. 25 in App State’s Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts offered congratulations to the Class of 2020 during commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25 on App State’s campus. Everts noted this event was “long awaited, highly anticipated and well deserved.” Photo by Chase Reynolds
Appalachian State University Provost Heather Hulburt Norris offered congratulations to the Class of 2020 during commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25 on App State’s campus. Photo by Troy Tuttle
Appalachian State University’s commencement for the Class of 2020, held Sept. 25 on App State’s campus, retained the pomp and circumstance of a traditional graduation ceremony. Dr. Jay Jackson, associate dean of the Hayes School of Music, was the bearer of the university mace. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Appalachian State University’s commencement for the Class of 2020, held Sept. 25 on App State’s campus, retained the pomp and circumstance of a traditional graduation ceremony. J.J. Brown, App State’s vice chancellor of student affairs carried the university banner. Photo by Troy Tuttle
University leaders presented the 2020 graduates with gold Appalachian State University stoles during commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25 on App State’s campus. Photo by Troy Tuttle
A graduate signs “I love you” to their loved ones in the crowd during one of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 commencement ceremonies, held Sept. 25. Graduates were allowed to have an unlimited number of guests attend the ceremony. Photo by Chase Reynolds
An Appalachian State University Class of 2020 graduate smiles as she prepares to walk across the stage during one of the university’s commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Many of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 graduates decorated their mortarboards for the in-person commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Pictured, a graduate’s mortarboard states, “You have no idea how high I can fly,” with the words surrounded by images of pencils, cacti, flowers and other objects. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Many of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 graduates decorated their mortarboards for the in-person commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Pictured, within a collage of books, pencils, school buses, rulers and apples, a graduate’s mortarboard states, “And she taught happily ever after.” Photo by Chase Reynolds
Many of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 graduates decorated their mortarboards for the in-person commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Pictured, a large block A anchors the lower half of a graduate’s glittery mortarboard, with the upper half depicting the silhouette of a mountain range and the words “I gave my all.” Photo by Troy Tuttle
An Appalachian State University graduate holds her infant as she prepares to walk across the commencement stage in Holmes Convocation Center. The university held in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 on Sept. 25. Photo by Troy Tuttle
A member of Appalachian State University’s Class of 2020 holds flowers and poses in her regalia with loved ones outside Holmes Convocation Center. Nearly 275 graduates returned to the university for commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Photo by Chase Reynolds
A Class of 2020 graduate poses on a large boulder outside Holmes Convocation Center, holding a “Go App” pendant. This graduate is one of 274 who returned to Appalachian State University for commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Nearly 275 graduates returned to Appalachian State University for commencement ceremonies held Sept. 25. Family members pose with a member of App State’s Class of 2020 outside Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The Office of Alumni Affairs, along with University Events, offered a variety of events for the graduates and their families and friends over the weekend, which kicked off with the App State vs. Marshall football game on Sept. 23:
- Nearly 150 graduates, guests and university leaders took part in a wine and cheese reception in the new Kidd Brewer Stadium north end zone facility.
- Many others attended athletic events and sat for a professional headshot, compliments of the university.
- Nearly two dozen participants helped inaugurate a new campus tradition in which graduates rang the Founders Bell to signify their academic achievements.
In this brief video, staff in App State's Office of Alumni Affairs applaud as the App State Founders Bell rings out across campus. During a weekend of celebrations for App State's Class of 2020, hosted by the office Sept. 23–25, graduates inaugurated a new tradition by ringing the bell to signify their academic achievements.
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About the Office of Alumni Engagement
Appalachian State University’s Office of Alumni Engagement creates and fosters communities of App State alumni. Its programs provide all App State alumni populations with meaningful engagement opportunities to network — connecting Mountaineers with each other and their alma mater. The university’s Alumni Association consists of more than 150,000 living alumni. Membership is free and automatic for all App State graduates. Learn more at www.alumni.appstate.edu.
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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