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."
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.
Talana J. Bell '86, returned to Appalachian to earn a Master of Science in accounting and a Master of Science in applied data analytics. Bell gave remarks during the December 2017 commencement ceremony at Appalachian State University.
