UNC Asheville Celebrates December 2024 Graduates at Commencement Ceremony

The University of North Carolina Asheville's fall Commencement ceremony on December 13, 2024, marked the graduation of over 200 Bulldogs. Held at Kimmel Arena, the event was presided over by Chancellor Kimberly van Noort, with a livestream available on the University's YouTube channel.

The Fall 2024 semester "has been a long road and their time as students included unprecedented challenges, especially in their final semester. We had to recover and find new ways of living and learning even while we did not have access to essential resources," van Noort said.

"Through it all, we came together as a community. The students will take this experience and all they have learned and turn it into good work, impactful work, the kind of work that makes the world a better place."

Alondra Barrera-Hernandez, a music major with a concentration in classical vocal performance, and the student body vice-president, was this year's student speaker. In her remarks she drew connections between the challenges faced during college and the challenges brought about by Helene.

"College itself can feel like a big storm at times, long nights, endless deadlines, and moments of self-doubt that threaten to be overwhelming," Barrera-Hernandez said. "You've shown that no storm, not Helene, not the challenges of college, not even the uncertainties of the future, can define you. What defines you is your ability to rise, to rebuild, and to move forward with courage and hope."

The University also bestowed an honorary degree to Oscar Wong, founder of Highland Brewing Company, Asheville's first craft brewery since prohibition. Since opening in 1994, Highland Brewing has become the largest family-owned brewery that originated in the Southeast, earning him the title "Godfather of Asheville craft beer."

Wong has earned every major recognition in his field, served two terms on the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees, and was awarded the highest civilian honor in North Carolina in 2023, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, for extraordinary service to the state.

He spoke about the lessons he has learned throughout his extensive career.

"Listen and develop relationships - the currency of life," Wong said. "My own life lessons boil down to accepting people as they are, have high quality standards in what you do, and be open to learning throughout your life."

This diverse graduating class ranged in age from 19 to 47, with 91 percent of the graduates from North Carolina. Of the in-state graduates, over half hail from Western North Carolina.

Also graduating were five international candidates representing Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Psychology and Biology are the two most popular majors, with 31 and 15 graduates, respectively. Health Sciences and Art are tied for third most popular major with 14 graduates each and English and Environmental Science are tied for fifth with 13 graduates each.