BOONE – University College recently honored 12 students who make up the college’s inaugural graduation class. The students are candidates for graduation at Appalachian State University’s December commencement and are the first to complete degree programs housed in Appalachian’s newest college, which was formed in 2007.

University College offers degrees in five interdisciplinary areas: Appalachian studies, sustainable development, global studies, interdisciplinary studies and women’s studies.

Students completing bachelor’s degrees in sustainable development applaud their faculty during a reception honoring the first candidates for graduation from University College at Appalachian State University. Pictured from left are Katharine Brannon, Kaitlin Marone, John Kidda, Matthew Finck and Sarah Sullivan. The students also are among the first to earn a degree in sustainable development from Appalachian. Sustainable development was previously offered only as a concentration within another degree program. (Photo by University Photographer Marie Freeman)

Two of these areas are represented with the inaugural class. Finishing master’s degrees in Appalachian studies are Susan G. Pepper, Carl D. Jenkins, Courtney P. Baines and Emily Schaad. Candidates representing sustainable development, and who are the first at Appalachian to earn a bachelor’s degree in that field, are Sommer Barnes, Katharine Brannon, Matthew Finck, John Kidda, Kaitlin Marone, Joseph McClellan, Sarah Sullivan and Gordon Strunk. Previously, sustainable development was offered as a concentration within another degree program.

“You have embraced an interdisciplinary education that will prepare you well for the future,” Dave Haney, vice provost for undergraduate education and the leader of University College, told the students. “This inaugural class also makes a statement that Appalachian believes interdisciplinary work is important and that making local to global connections is important.”

University College consists of Appalachian’s integrated general education curriculum, academic support services, residential learning communities, interdisciplinary degree programs and co-curricular programming – all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside of the classroom.

The college was formed to coordinate programs that meet a broad range of needs for students and to prepare them to live and work in a complex network of local, regional and global communities.

Chuck Smith, director of the sustainable development degree program, said that goal is especially relevant in his field.  “Today’s global crises do not come as a surprise to people who work in sustainable development,” he said.

After more than 15 years as a concentration, sustainable development became a full-fledged degree program at Appalachian in 2008, offering both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. “A degree is not real until graduates who hold it go out into the world and make a positive and progressive difference,” Smith said. “In today’s global crises, I’m sure these students will be at the forefront of working toward solutions.”