Commencement Ceremonies

Holmes Convocation Center
111 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
Boone Campus

Friday, Dec. 15

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.

Livestream

Watch a livestream of each ceremony here on Dec. 15 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.


Ceremony Schedule

Presiding, Dr. Sheri Everts, Chancellor

Processional

"Pomp and Circumstance"

Edward Elgar, Composer
Roger Harvey, Arranger

Presentation of Colors

App State ROTC’s Pershing Rifles

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

Words by Francis Scott Key
John Higgins, Arranger
Vocalist Zitlaly Cruz-Hernandez, mezzo-soprano and Music Education major

Welcome

Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Commencement Address

Dr. Sheri Everts, Chancellor

Greetings from the UNC System Board of Governors and the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees

Mr. C. Phillip Byers, UNC Board of Governors member

Presentation of Candidates

Provost Norris

Conferring of Degrees

Chancellor Everts

Alma Mater

Recording by Luke Combs
Singer/Songwriter

Recessional

"Procession of the Scholars”

Dr. William G. Harbinson, Composer

"Hi Hi Yikas”

Dr. William Gilbert Spencer, Composer and Arranger



Musical selections performed by Appalachian Brass Ensemble
Hayes School of Music

Dr. Joseph Brown, Conductor

About Commencement

Tickets are not needed for the commencement ceremonies.

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.

  • Each ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • Accessibility and disability accommodations are available.
  • Review the Holmes Center's Bag and Admission Policy — small, clear plastic bags, small clutch purses, individual seat cushions and medically necessary items are permitted.
  • App State, media outlets, and family and friends film Commencement Ceremonies. Attendees may be included in photography or videos used to promote Appalachian State University.

  • See below for information for graduates and faculty participants, as well as information for guests.

    Ceremony Information for Graduates, Faculty and Guests



    Graduates, visit the Office of the Registrar website for more information:

    Macebearer Recognition

    Dr. Rahman Tashakkori with Mace

    Dr. Rahman Tashakkori

    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.

    Dr. Priscilla Porterfield with Mace

    Dr. Priscilla Porterfield

    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.

    Dr. Mary Ann Hofmann with Mace

    Dr. Mary Ann Hofmann

    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.

    About the Mace

    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.

    Thank You

    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.

    Save the Date

    Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremonies

    May 10–11, 2024

    Holmes Convocation Center
    111 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
    Boone Campus

    Friday, May 10, 2024

    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

    Saturday, May 11, 2024

    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.