BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Sandra Ballard '79 and Dr. Andy Koch will serve as Macebearers for the Spring 2024 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Donna Lillian, associate dean of CAS, will carry the University banner and Dr. Mike Madritch, dean of CAS, will carry the College banner. Dr. Maria Pramaggiore, chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, will read names.
The Appalachian State 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.
About Dr. Sandra Ballard
Dr. Ballard is a 1979 graduate of App State. In 2000, she joined the Department of English and the Center for Appalachian Studies as editor of the Appalachian Journal, a scholarly, peer-reviewed quarterly founded in 1972. Ballard received the Outstanding Contribution to Appalachian Literature Award from the Appalachian Writers Association in 2007 and the Educational Service to Appalachia Award from Carson-Newman College in 2011.
About Dr. Andy Koch
Dr. Koch joined the Department of Government and Justice Studies in 1995. He is the author of several books, with his latest — “Materialism and Social Inquiry in the Continental Tradition in Philosophy” — published in 2017. Koch has been actively involved with App State’s Faculty Senate and has served as a multiyear member, four-time vice chair, and chair from 2012–15.
The Spring 2024 CAS commencement ceremonies will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024. The 1 p.m. ceremony will include the departments of Anthropology; Biology; Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences; Computer Science; Geography and Planning; Geological and Environmental Sciences; Government and Justice Studies; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy and Rural Resilience and Innovation (Veterinary Technology). The 5 p.m. ceremony will include the departments of English; History; Interdisciplinary Studies; Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Philosophy and Religion; Psychology and Sociology. For details and to watch a livestream, visit appstate.edu/commencement.
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About the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in four program areas: Appalachian studies; gender, women’s and sexuality studies; global studies; and interdisciplinary studies. The department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an interdisciplinary, alternative general education program. The department promotes creative and imaginative engagement through a cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems. Learn more at https://interdisciplinary.appstate.edu.
About the Department of English
The Department of English at Appalachian State University is committed to outstanding work in the classroom, the support and mentorship of students, and a dynamic engagement with culture, history, language, theory and literature. The department offers master’s degrees in English and rhetoric and composition, as well as undergraduate degrees in literary studies, film studies, creative writing, professional writing and English education. Learn more at https://english.appstate.edu.
About the Center for Appalachian Studies
The Center for Appalachian Studies promotes public programs, community collaboration, civic engagement and scholarship on the Appalachian region. The center is committed to building healthy communities and deepening knowledge of Appalachia’s past, present and future through community-based research and engagement. Learn more at https://appcenter.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Government and Justice Studies
Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at https://gjs.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
May 3, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. Sandra Ballard '79 (left) and Dr. Andy Koch (right) will serve as Macebearers for the Spring 2024 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Commencement Ceremony.
Dr. Sandra Ballard '79 (left) and Dr. Andy Koch (right) will serve as Macebearers for the Spring 2024 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Commencement Ceremony.