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
Boone Campus
9 a.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
University College
1 p.m. ceremony
Beaver College of Health Sciences
College of Fine and Applied Arts
Hayes School of Music
5 p.m. ceremony
Reich College of Education
Walker College of Business
Graduate students will attend the college ceremony represented by their major field of study.
Watch a livestream of each ceremony here on Dec. 15 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Edward Elgar, Composer
Roger Harvey, Arranger
App State ROTC’s Pershing Rifles
Words by Francis Scott Key
John Higgins, Arranger
Vocalist Zitlaly Cruz-Hernandez, mezzo-soprano and Music Education major
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
Dr. William G. Harbinson, Composer
Dr. William Gilbert Spencer, Composer and Arranger
Dr. Joseph Brown, Conductor
Graduates do not need to register and they may invite an unlimited number of guests.
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:
College of Arts and Sciences
Friday, Dec. 15
9 a.m. ceremony
Dr. Tashakkori serves as the Lowe's Distinguished Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science, and he served as department chair from 2017–23. Tashakkori is a leader in establishing and directing externally funded STEM scholarship and research programs. He recently received a UNC System Research Opportunities Initiative grant for the App State Multipurpose Apiary Informatics System (AppMAIS) project.
Hayes School of Music
Friday, Dec. 15
1 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Porterfield began her career at App State in 1990. She teaches vocal diction and applied voice and directs the Treble Choir. Porterfield is the recipient of many awards and fellowships — she was a national finalist in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Awards, the winner of the Toledo Opera Young Artists Competition and a two-time winner in the District Metropolitan Opera Auditions.
Walker College of Business
Friday, Dec. 15
5 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Hofmann is retiring after 17 years of service in the Department of Accounting. She served as co-director of the Master of Science in Accounting program, has been a generous supporter of student scholarships and was actively engaged with the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Hofmann received the Walker College of Business Sywassink Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021.
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 Fall 2023 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.
May 10–11, 2024
Holmes Convocation Center
111 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
Boone Campus
9 a.m. ceremony
College of Fine and Applied Arts
1 p.m. ceremony
Hayes School of Music
Reich College of Education
University College
5 p.m. ceremony
Beaver College of Health Sciences
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
5 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.
Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2024.
Visit the Office of the Registrar website for important information about applying to graduate.