Spring 2022 Commencement
Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7
Commencement is the ultimate celebration of one of the most significant accomplishments of our students' lifetimes. We are proud to honor your achievement.
Holmes Convocation Center
111 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
9 a.m. ceremony
Hayes School of Music, Reich College of Education
1 p.m. ceremony
Beaver College of Health Sciences
4 p.m. ceremony
College of Fine and Applied Arts
9 a.m. ceremony
Walker College of Business
1 p.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
Anthropology • Biology • Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences • Computer Science • Geography and Planning • Geological and Environmental Sciences • Government and Justice Studies • Mathematical Sciences • Physics and Astronomy
4 p.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
English • History • Interdisciplinary Studies • Languages, Literatures and Cultures • Philosophy and Religion • Psychology • Sociology
Graduate students will attend the college ceremony represented by their major field of study.
The Spring 2022 livestreams have concluded. Congratulations, graduates!
May 6, 9 a.m.
Hayes School of Music, Reich College of Education
May 6, 1 p.m.
Beaver College of Health Sciences
May 6, 4 p.m.
College of Fine and Applied Arts
May 7, 9 a.m.
Walker College of Business
May 7, 1 p.m.
College of Arts and Sciences
May 7, 4 p.m.
College of Arts and Sciences
Download the Spring 2022 Commencement program (PDF)
Edward Elgar, Composer
Roger Harvey, Arranger
Appalachian State ROTC’s Pershing Rifles
Words by Francis Scott Key
John Higgins, Arranger
Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Dr. Sheri Everts, Chancellor
Mr. C. Phillip Byers, UNC Board of Governors member
Provost Norris
Chancellor Everts
Recording by Luke Combs
Singer/Songwriter
William G. Harbinson, Composer
Dr. Jay Jackson, Conductor
Graduates do not need to register and they may invite an unlimited number of guests. Tickets are not required for the commencement ceremonies.
During each ceremony, graduates will walk across the stage in Holmes Convocation Center, have their names announced and be professionally photographed receiving their diploma covers. App State Chancellor Sheri Everts will confer degrees upon graduates at each ceremony.
See below for information for graduates and faculty participants, as well as information for guests.
Graduates, visit the Office of the Registrar website for more information:
Reich College of Education
Friday, May 6
9 a.m. ceremony
Dr. Angel is retiring after 20 years of service in the Department of Leadership and Educational Studies.
Beaver College of Health Sciences
Friday, May 6
1 p.m. ceremony
Dr. James joined the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education in 2007.
College of Fine and Applied Arts
Friday, May 6
4 p.m. ceremony
Dr. den Biggelaar is retiring after 22 years of service in the Department of Sustainable Development.
Walker College of Business
Saturday, May 7
9 a.m. ceremony
Dr. Xiong joined the Department of Computer Information Systems in 2016. He received the 2022-23 Board of Governors Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award for the Walker College of Business.
College of Arts and Sciences
Saturday, May 7
1 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Mayfield is retiring after 34 years of service in the Department of Geography and Planning.
College of Arts and Sciences
Saturday, May 7
4 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Searfoss is retiring after 21 years of service in the Department of English.
The Appalachian State University mace is carried by a senior faculty member in all academic processions. Traditionally, the macebearer precedes the chancellor of an institution, both upon entering and leaving a ceremony. The mace serves as a symbol of authority just as it did during the Middle Ages, when a macebearer accompanied an official taking office or opening court.
The App State mace symbolizes the university’s mountain heritage, the rustic location and the sophistication of an emerging, national leader in higher education. Its design, as a walking stick with a base constructed of rough-hewn log and finished molding, is appropriate to the natural environment of the area. At the top of the mace is a soaring, red-tailed hawk native to the area. The hawk symbolizes power and authority, as well as the empowerment of education. The talons are grasping a sphere containing two quartz crystals. The first crystal represents the global nature of the university, its educational programs, and its alumni and students. The second crystal is a reproduction of Grandfather Mountain.
The relief of the letters ASU within the pine cone are crafted in black enamel and are gold plated. The various bands represent the flora and fauna native to the area. The black walnut, one of the strongest of woods, was used to symbolize the staying power of the university.
The mace was constructed by Carolina Bronze, of Asheville. Fittingly, two App State students and an App State graduate were involved in the production. It was commissioned by the Appalachian State University Alumni Association in 1994.
A sincere thank-you to the many people who worked on App State’s Spring 2022 Commencement, especially the volunteers. A special thank-you, also, to App State’s leadership for supporting an exceptional commencement experience for graduates and their guests.
Fall 2022 Commencement ceremonies will be held Friday, Dec. 16.
Visit the Office of the Registrar website for important information about applying to graduate.
Celebrate on Social Media!
So many individuals play an important role in the experiences and successes of our graduates, and we welcome your participation in this special occasion. Graduates, family members, friends, staff and faculty may use any of the hashtags below on public-facing Twitter or Instagram accounts for a chance to be featured on this website May 6–7.
#AppStateClassof2022
#AppStateGrad
#AppStateAlumni
@AppState
or@AppAlumni
Also, use our special graduation GIFs on social media by searching for “appstate.”