BOONE, N.C. — Dr. James Goff, professor in the Department of History, and Dr. Steven Hageman, professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, will serve as macebearers for the Spring 2026 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 9.
Interim Associate Dean Cathy Marcum will carry the university banner in the 9 a.m. ceremony and Associate Dean Donna Lillian will carry the university banner in the 1 p.m. ceremony. Dean Mike Madritch will carry the college banner in both ceremonies. Dr. Paul Worley, chair and professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, will read the graduates' 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.
Dr. James Goff
Dr. James Goff will serve as the macebearer for the 1 p.m. ceremony.
Dr. Goff joined the faculty in App State’s Department of History in 1986 and has taught courses in American history, including specialty courses in American religious history, the cultural history of the American South and the history of country and gospel music. In addition to numerous academic and popular articles, he is the author of “Close Harmony: A History of Southern Gospel” and “Fields White Unto Harvest: Charles F. Parham and the Missionary Origins of Pentecostalism” and co-editor of “Portraits of a Generation: Early Pentecostal Leaders.” His 40-year tenure at the university has included serving as the I.G. Greer Distinguished Professor of History (2007–09) and chair of the history department (2014–24).
Goff will retire from App State in June.
Dr. Steven Hageman
Dr. Steven Hageman will serve as the macebearer for the 9 a.m. ceremony.
Dr. Hageman, professor of geology, is completing his 29th year on the faculty at App State. Over his tenure, he has served the university through several leadership roles, including as a member of the University Research Council, Faculty Senate and General Education Council, and as co-founder and longtime Advisory Committee Chair of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Microscopy Facility. He is a two-time Fulbright Research Scholar and the past recipient of the CAS William C. Strickland Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, Board of Governors Appalachian State University Excellence in Teaching Award and General Education Transfer Student Champion Award. Hageman has also served as co-editor of the Journal of Paleontology and is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America.
Hageman is currently in phased retirement and will fully retire from App State in May 2028.
CAS congratulates Dr. Goff and Dr. Hageman on this honor. For more information about the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies, visit appstate.edu/commencement.
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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 locations. 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 6,800 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 cas.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs & University Communications
April 13, 2026
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. James Goff (left), professor in the Department of History, and Dr. Steve Hageman (right), professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, will serve as macebearers for the Spring 2026 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremonies. Photos by University Communications
Dr. James Goff (left), professor in the Department of History, and Dr. Steve Hageman (right), professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, will serve as macebearers for the Spring 2026 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremonies. Photos by University Communications