By Rebecca Mullins
Sept. 9, 2013. The time has come for Appalachian State’s Convocation. This year’s guest speaker is Ayad Akhtar, a notable pulitzer prize winner and author of this years summer reading, “American Dervish.”
Convocation is tomorrow, Sept. 10. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center on Appalachian’s Campus. The doors open at 8:30 a.m. Classes before 12:30 p.m. are canceled. All bags will be searched and any food or drinks disposed of. To ensure fast lines and quick entrance, pack light or don’t bring a bag. Students and the public may sit in any upper level concourse, according to Jason Parker, Director of the Convocation Center.
Event Parking will be available at the Rivers Street Parking Deck and Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. Shuttles will run between the Holmes Convocation Center and the back entrance of the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. You may enter through any entrance of the Holmes Center.
Disability parking will be available at the Holmes Center parking lot. A handicap accessible entrance is located on the west side of Hill Street labelled the SW entrance.
To view a detailed map of Appalachian’s event parking click here.
Also, a live video screening will be available on ASU’s website here during the event.
Convocation will proceed as follows:
- Chancelor Peacock will give the opening remarks
- Board of Trustees Vice Chair Avery Hall will give his greetings
- NC Poet Laurette Joseph Bthanti will read one of his poems
- Awards will be presented
- Dr. Simon Sibelman will introduce the guest speaker
- Ayad Akhtar will give the main convocation speech
- Provost Dr. Lori Gonzalez will give closing remarks
Ayad Akhtar is an American born, second generation Pakistani who grew up in Milwaukee, Wis. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama with his play, “Disgraced.”
The first and only book he has authored, “American Dervish,” has been translated into 25 languages worldwide, and was chosen for this years summer reading. The book highlights how Muslim American immigrants lived before 9/11. It is as much a look into immigrant life as it is a coming of age novel.
To read more on Ayad Akhtar, “American Dervish,” and his events schedule during his stay in Boone, click here.
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