Asheville Celebrates Spring 2024 Graduates at Commencement

University of North Carolina Asheville Celebrates Graduation of Over 450 Bulldogs

The University of North Carolina Asheville’s spring Commencement ceremony on May 11, 2024, marked the graduation of over 450 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. With this important chapter of their lives now complete, they are ready to go out into the world,” van Noort said. “I am confident they will make a difference for good by building successful careers and living lives of purpose and meaning.”

Highlight of Graduating Class

This diverse graduating class ranged in age from 19 to 60, with 92 percent of the graduates from North Carolina. Also graduating were two international candidates representing Norway and Turkey. Psychology and Environmental Science were the two most popular majors, with 57 and 37 graduates, respectively. Health and Wellness, Biology, and Art rounded out the top five. The average class cumulative GPA was an impressive 3.39. The full Class of 2024, including summer and winter graduates, is 678 students, including 673 undergraduates and 5 graduates.

Valedictorian’s Address

Ona Elkins, a political science and international studies double major, with a minor in Asian Studies, the 2024 valedictorian, recipient of the Manly E. Scholarship Award, and this year’s student speaker, addressed the audience. Elkins referenced her high school graduation being derailed by COVID, a common experience for most of this year’s graduates. She said the circumstances of the pandemic and surrounding social justice movements pushed them to be conscious of their place in society. “UNC Asheville students are uniquely situated to respond to these demands. We are united in a mutual spirit of advocacy and the desire to make the world a better place.” She urged the graduates to go boldly and become change-makers in the world.

Honorary Degree Recipients

The University also recognized three honorary degree recipients: Oscar Wong, Walter Ziffer, and David Holt, who was also the recipient of the 2024 UNC Asheville Chancellor’s Medallion. Wong, dubbed the “Godfather of Asheville craft beer,” opened Highland Brewing Company in 1994. Ziffer, a Holocaust survivor, authored a memoir on his experiences. Holt, a Grammy award-winning musician, urged the graduates to embrace uncertainty in their future endeavors.

Awards and Recognitions

Trey Adcock, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, international studies, and the director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies, received the Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. Jackie Langille, associate professor of environmental studies, was awarded the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award for her dedication to guiding undergraduate students in environmental exploration.

Post-Graduation Plans

UNC Asheville May graduates will be embarking on a variety of journeys after graduation, including cybersecurity, mechatronics engineering, medical school, geological research, and journalism. Learn more about these graduates and their post-college plans by visiting UNC Asheville Stories.