Prioritizing Mountaineer Safety

App State is committed to prioritizing the health and safety of the entire Appalachian Community. While COVID-19 remains a concern, we are encouraged by the downward trend of case counts locally and nationally and by the increased access to vaccines. Our intended in-person celebrations will comply with the latest guidance from local, state and national public health experts.

If at any point COVID-19 trends present an increased risk for safely staging the in-person components, we will modify our plans and update graduates and the campus community.

Visit App State’s coronavirus website to learn the latest updates on how the university is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.

To ensure compliance with distancing and facility capacity, and to allow for cleaning/sanitizing between ceremonies, multiple ceremonies will take place on May 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 in the Holmes Convocation Center.

During each ceremony, graduates will walk across the stage in Holmes Convocation Center, have their name announced and be professionally photographed receiving their diploma cover. App State Chancellor Sheri Everts will confer degrees upon graduates at each ceremony.

Each ceremony will last 60-90 minutes and will include graduates from each university college.

Advance registration for graduates is required by 5 p.m. April 9. Graduates received a communication on April 1 with a list of date and time choices and a link to complete their registration.

• Face coverings are required for all attendees without exception. Face coverings will be supplied to all graduates.
• At this time, state restrictions limit attendance to two guests per graduate. During the registration process, graduates have the option to select their two guest tickets.
• Graduates will need to acquire tickets for their guests to attend their in-person ceremony. Ticket pick-up information will be emailed to graduates’ App State email accounts the last week of April — tickets will not be mailed. Graduates are responsible for delivery of tickets to their guests.
• Seating will be arranged to ensure physical distancing is maintained among graduates and their guest pods. Each graduate’s guests will sit together in pod seating.
• All ceremonies will be livestreamed.
• For those coming to campus, Campus Dining invites parents, families and graduates to the dining room of Rivers Street Cafe in Roess Dining Hall. Come rest and relax prior to your ceremony time! Snacks and drinks will be provided compliments of Chancellor Sheri Everts. Additional items will be available for purchase, including commencement-themed celebration cakes and alumni merchandise from the University Bookstore. Drop in any time from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on May 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

Virtual degree conferral

• A virtual ceremony, in which App State Chancellor Sheri Everts will confer degrees upon graduates, will be made available on the commencement website on May 7.
• Graduates should check with their home college about virtual options presented by each college.

Visit the Office of the Registrar website for important graduation information.