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A Total of 1,475 Students Graduated From Appalachian State University on Saturday

BOONE, N.C.—A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center.

Appalachian hosted two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. for Hayes School of Music, College of Arts and Sciences, and Walker College of Business, and one at 2 p.m. for the Reich College of Education, Beaver College of Health Sciences and College of Fine and Applied Arts.

Degrees were conferred on 1,123 undergraduates and 352 graduate students.

“Today we celebrate as our students leave Appalachian prepared to make real and powerful differences in their communities and beyond,” Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “A university campus is an amazing place of confluence where great leaders and ideas emerge for the betterment of society, and Appalachian is a shining example of this work.”

Student leaders, exciting futures

Appalachian engages students in its commencement ceremonies, selecting one bachelor’s candidate and one master’s degree candidate to give remarks and another graduating student to welcome everyone in attendance.

Selected for the 10 a.m. commencement were Patrick G. Campbell, who earned a Bachelor of Science in physics, secondary education and graduated magna cum laude, and Talana J. Bell ’86, who returned to Appalachian to earn a Master of Science in accounting. Giving welcoming remarks was Emily G. Arbour, who earned a Bachelor of Music in music performance.

Campbell is from Charlotte and plans to teach physics at a private boarding school in Suzhou, China, after graduation. Bell, originally from Statesville, had a career in health care accounting and retired as CFO with Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama, before coming to Appalachian. She was recently named executive assistant to the dean in Appalachian’s Walker College of Business. Arbour plans to pursue a master’s degree and develop a career as both a performer and teacher.

Those selected for the 2 p.m. ceremony were Dayne O. Shelor, who earned a Bachelor of Science in communication, public relations with a minor in music, and Monica B. Gudger, who earned a Master of School Administration. Welcoming the audience was Jill Kocsis, who earned a Bachelor of Science in nutrition and foods.

Shelor is from Cary and was involved in Boone’s local music scene while a student. He plans to pursue music professionally in Durham while building a tiny house. Gudger is from Denver, North Carolina, and works as an exceptional children program specialist with plans to become a director of exceptional children in a school setting. Kocsis is from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and transferred to Appalachian in 2015. As a student, she collaborated with scientists at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. She plans to continue following her passion for food research in graduate school.

Photos by Marie Freeman

Candidates for master’s degrees display their regalia, including their light blue hoods. A total of 1,475 students graduated from Appalachian State University on Saturday, Dec. 16, during commencement in Holmes Convocation Center. Photo by Marie Freeman
Chancellor Sheri Everts congratulates a December graduate as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Darrell Kruger looks on. Photo by Marie Freeman