BOONE—Graduation speakers at Appalachian State University offered advice to new graduates, who at one time or another have asked the same question: What’s next?

Writer Robert Morgan, author of “Boone, A Biography” and several novels and poetry collections, spoke to graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences during ceremonies May 10.

William H. Curry, artistic director with the N.C. Symphony, told Appalachian State University Hayes School of Music graduates to “follow your bliss and the money will follow.” Curry said by passionately sharing their life of music, the graduates would provide listeners a glimpse of their shared humanity. Each of the university’s degree-granting colleges and schools holds its own commencement ceremony. Other speakers were Robert Morgan, College of Arts and Sciences; Austin Adams, Walker College of Business; and Jerry Moore, College of Fine and Applied Arts. Media presentations highlighting student accomplishments were shown to graduates of the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School and the Reich College of Education. (Photo by university photographer Marie Freeman)

“Your generation faces challenges Daniel Boone never dreamed of,” Morgan said. He cited pollution, global warming, mountain-top removal and acid rain. “Your generation is one of the most accomplished in our history, but you face some of the greatest hurdles in our history also. To meet those tests, you need to think clearly and act wisely.”

Their education has given them the tools needed to address those challenges, he said. “Our willingness and capacity to offer education to the many is our greatest strength. To offer access to information uncensored and unmonitored is one of the glories of our democracy.”

William H. Curry told graduates of the Hayes School of Music not to just love music, but to live music and share it with others. Curry is artistic director with the N.C. Symphony and is responsible for the symphony’s summer programs.

Curry spoke during ceremonies May 10.

“May the music you live bring you all the happiness and success that you seek – not the music you make for money, not dutiful music that is phoned in or that dreadful music unconnected to feelings better known as notes,” Curry said. “The great music you live is the great music you inhabit and project so passionately that you and your listeners will glimpse the deepest part of your shared humanity.”

Seniors in the College of Fine and Applied Arts also graduated May 10.

Speaking to graduates of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Appalachian’s head football coach Jerry Moore said graduates should ask themselves if they trust the people and situations they encounter throughout life, and if they are committed to excellence.

Trusting in the wrong people or situations, and failing to focus on excellence, can come with consequences.

“Plan your life, because if you don’t plan what you are going to do and what you want to do, someone else will plan your life for you,” he said. “If you don’t set goals in your life, if you don’t set standards in your life, someone else will and you will end up disappointed.”

Speaking to graduates of the Walker College of Business on May 11, Austin Adams shared business and leadership practices that had served him well during his 35 years in the banking industry. Adams, an Appalachian graduate, had leadership roles with JPMorgan Chase, Bank One and First Union Corporation, now Wachovia Corporation.
Graduates beginning their business careers should always act in the company’s best interest, not their self interests. They should also have integrity, work hard and solicit feedback from others.

“Feedback is a gift,” Adams said. “Find someone who will give you objective, constructive feedback and they will accelerate your progression in the business world.”

New employees also should aggressively learn from others, he said. “You are going to see really good leadership your entire career,” Adams said. “Be bold enough to learn how that person acquired that skill.”

Student speakers offered their advice to the graduates as well.

Matthew Bouchard of Raleigh, an anthropology and Spanish major, spoke to his colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We live in a country that has enormous influence over the rest of the world. Because of this fact, we have a lot of responsibility to that world,” he said. “Part of being a good global citizen starts with being a good local citizen, which is increasingly difficult because often we operate within a system that encourages us to think of ourselves first as consumers, then as citizens.”

Bouchard said graduates should think critically and innovatively about the nation’s economy and foreign policy. “I hope that your college experience has given you a healthy skepticism of the way the world works, enough to be able to imagine and engage in possibilities that put people before profit, and qualitative above quantitative values.”

Amber Clawson of Boone, a communications/public relations major, spoke to fellow College of Fine and Applied Arts graduates.

“The day will come when we will be called upon to raise our hand and know all the answers,” she said. “We must remember though that no one knows all the answers. That is why we must combine our individual strengths and work together toward a common goal.”

She talked about issues facing today’s graduates such as the nation’s energy crisis, a possible recession, transition in leadership in Washington, D.C., and the ongoing war in Iraq.

“I believe that with change, and more importantly with dedication, we can make America an example worthy of emulation,” Clawson said. “Equipped as Appalachian alumni, we can make America an example of liberty, prosperity and independence for the world.”

Tommy Adams, a finance major from Boone and nephew of Austin Adams, addressed his fellow business majors in the Walker College of Business. “The athletic successes that I witnessed and the world-class education I received from this university pale in comparison to Appalachian’s greatest assets – its people,” he said. “The administration, the faculty and staff and you my fellow students, you are what make Appalachian so great. You are what made my college experience.”

Media presentations highlighting student accomplishments were shown at the Reich College of Education and the Cratis D. Williams Graduate School ceremonies on May 11.

Approximately 1,700 degrees were awarded during May commencement.

###