A Message from the Dean
To our business graduates:
On May 16, we will experience perhaps the most memorable Commencement experience in Appalachian State University's history, to honor you and your outstanding achievement of having reached this academic pinnacle. Hearing Stephen J. Dubner '84 speak and Luke Combs sing will pale in comparison to hearing your name announced. What an excellent group of future world changers you and your fellow graduates are. I hope, despite our social distance, that you'll know our connection is strong, and that you are a key part of our Appalachian Family, a family cheering for you! Congratulations graduates, may you always do good business and business for good!
—Sandra A. Vannoy, Acting Dean, Walker College of Business
To our graduates
Watch the full playlist on YouTube.
Video transcription.
Walker College of Business Student Speakers
Nick Bailey
Nicholas Bailey is from Troutman, North Carolina and is graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Nick triple majored in Accounting, Economics, and Finance & Banking. During his time at Appalachian, he was a member of the Bowden Investment Group and the Holland Fellows. Nick also served as Vice President of Events for Beta Alpha Psi. Prior to beginning his position as an Economic Analyst in the Bowden Investment Group, Nick served under the Budget Director in the Walker College of Business Deans Office and as a business tutor for University Tutorial Services. After graduation, Nick will be starting as an Audit Assistant for Deloitte in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Sirisha Karra
Sirisha Karra is from Cary, North Carolina and is graduating with a BSBA in Business Management. While attending Appalachian, she has served as a student ambassador for the Center for Entrepreneurship in the Walker College of Business, and Vice President for her acapella group, One Acchord. While doing research in the realm of corporate social responsibility through her awarded Barnes Research Grant, she has also been awarded the Clinton Global Initiative and the Local-to-Global Leadership Award through the University. Sirisha is the co-founder of her branch of a nonprofit organization called CORD, which reaches out to rural areas of India in areas of life such as sustainability, rehabilitation, and women empowerment. Last summer, Sirisha interned with Gartner in Fort Myers, FL where she delved into her interest of sales and people-to-people relationships. Upon graduation, she will be returning to Fort Myers to continue a full-time position with Gartner.
Junior Marshals
Junior marshals, selected for having demonstrated academic excellence during their time at Appalachian, typically direct guests onsite, distribute programs to guests and assist candidates for graduation.
Maeve Bryant
Sophia Lang
Charlee Miller
Susann Rivera
Hannah Ross
Kendra Stafford
Faculty Participants
The following faculty members would have born the mace, university banner and college banner during the commencement processional or hooded candidates during the graduate programs ceremony.
Dr. Dawn Medlin
Dr. Dana Clark
Dr. Pete Groothuis
Dr. Lynn Stallworth
Dr. Lakshmi Iyer
Dr. Tim Forsyth
Department Banners
During the traditional processional, the faculty chairperson of each of the six Walker Collge of Business academic departments carries a department banner, separating students of one major from the next. The department chairpersons are pictured below. Students earning a BSBA with a major in international business — an interdisciplinary major in the Walker College — would have been led by Dr. Martin Meznar, associate dean for global and civic engagement.
Dr. Pennie Bagley
Dr. Scott Hunsinger
Dr. Todd Cherry
Dr. Chris McNeil
Dr. Heather Dixon
Dr. Jim Stoddard
Graduate Candidates High Achievers
Undergraduate, Graduate App State Best
