Appalachian State University
Congratulations on your graduation from Appalachian State University!
Commencement is the ultimate celebration of one of the most significant accomplishments of our students' lifetimes. We are proud to honor your achievement.
Commencement Ceremonies
Holmes Convocation
Center
111 Rivers Street, Boone, NC 28608
Boone Campus
Friday, Dec. 13
9 a.m. ceremony
Reich College of Education
University
College
Walker College of Business
1 p.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
5 p.m. ceremony
Beaver College of Health Sciences
College of Fine
and Applied Arts
Hayes School of Music
Graduate students will attend the college ceremony represented by their major field of study.
Livestream
Watch a livestream of each ceremony here on Dec. 13 at 9 a.m.,1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Ceremony Schedule
Presiding, Dr. Heather Norris, Interim 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 Adelynne Money, mezzo-soprano and music industry studies - music marketing and promotion major
Welcome
Dr. Neva J. Specht, Acting Provost
Commencement Address
Dr. Heather Norris, Interim Chancellor
Greetings from the Appalachian State University Board of Trustees
Mr. Mark E. Ricks, Board of Trustees chair
Greetings from the UNC System Board of Governors
Mr. C. Philip Byers, UNC Board of Governors member
Presentation of Candidates
Acting Provost Specht
Conferring of Degrees
Interim Chancellor Norris
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
Drs. Sam Ambrose and Dakota Corbliss, Conductors
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. Interim Chancellor Heather Norris 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. Diane Waryold
Reich College of Education
Friday, Dec. 13
9 a.m. ceremony
Professor Emeritus Dr. Waryold, a first-generation college student, retired in June 2024 after 21 years of service in the Department of Counseling, Family Therapy and Higher Education. Before joining the App State faculty, she enjoyed a 25-year career as an accomplished student affairs administrator and consultant to colleges and universities across the country. Dr. Waryold is a founding and charter member and past president of the Association for Student Judicial Affairs (now the Association for Student Conduct Administration) and was awarded ASCA’s Donald D. Gehring Award and Lifetime Membership Award. Her other awards and honors include App State’s Faculty Women of Influence Award, the Melvene Draheim Hardee Award and induction into the Gravel/Gavel Society from the Southern Association for College Student Affairs, and the Distinguished Scholar Award from the NC College Personnel Association.
Dr. William Brewer
College of Arts and Sciences
Friday, Dec. 13
1 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Brewer joined the Department of English in 1987 and served as director of App State’s English graduate program from 2005 to 2008. In 2003, he received the College of Arts and Sciences’ Donald W. Sink Outstanding Scholar Award. Dr. Brewer is the author of four scholarly monographs, the latest of which, “Representing and Interrogating Dueling, Caning, and Fencing during the Romantic Period,” will be published by Liverpool University Press in 2025.
Dr. Kyle Thompson
Beaver College of Health Sciences
Friday, Dec. 13
5 p.m. ceremony
Dr. Thompson began her career at App State in 2010 as dietetic internship director in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Since that time, she has helped build and expand the university’s nutrition graduate programs and certificates, serving as the public health nutrition graduate program director from 2018 to 2024. Dr. Thompson is the author of many academic publications and has served as associate editor/editor of two public health nutrition textbooks. She received the Beaver College of Health Sciences’ Service Award in 2013 and Teaching Award in 2020. Dr. Thompson will be retiring from the Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management at the end of the fall 2024 semester.
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.
