The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

The Student News Site of Appalachian State University

The Appalachian

Newsletter Signup

Get our news delivered straight to your inbox every week.

* indicates required

Students attend 24th Convocation ceremony

The 24th annual Fall Convocation welcomed freshman to the Appalachian State University family with an address from “American Dervish” author Ayad Akhtar on Tuesday.

Appalachian’s Summer Reading Program chose Akhtar’s “American Dervish” for the freshman’s required reading.  

Akhtar is a graduate of Brown University and Colombia University and won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His book, “American Dervish,” has been published in 25 languages and won 2012 Best Book of the Year from Kirkus Reviews, Toronto’s Globe and Mail, Shelf-Awareness and Oprah magazine.

In his first convocation address, Akhtar said making a connection and engaging the reader was very important to him. Akhtar went on to talk about finding your calling, saying that at age 16 he found his.

“I saw that exploring the deeper questions in life through stories was the most extraordinary thing I could do with my life,” Akhtar said.

 Freshman global studies major Lauren Holt said she enjoyed Akhtar’s address.

“He was very down to earth and prepared for his audience in terms of keeping us listening,” Holt said.
Akhtar said that he had fun at addressing the crowd in the Convocation Center and was honored to have his book selected.

Akhtar’s final words received a standing ovation from his audience.

“I have some simple advice,” Akhtar said. “Be open, be willing, know that taking your development seriously can lead to rich rewards. The richest of which is finding the path that leads you.”

Before Akhtar’s speech and following a greeting from Board of Trustees Vice Chair Avery Hall, awards were given out by Chancellor Kenneth Peacock.

Senior recreation management major Justine Haynes, who won the Student Employee of the Year Award, said she felt honored to be a part of the Convocation tradition.

“It was a shock, and I just feel very honored to be up there with the other recipients,”                          Haynes said.

Story: NICOLE BELLAMY, Intern News Reporter

Leave a Comment
Donate to The Appalachian
$1201
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

We hope you appreciate this article! Before you move on, our student staff wanted to ask if you would consider supporting The Appalachian's award-winning journalism. We are celebrating our 90th anniversary of The Appalachian in 2024!

We receive funding from the university, which helps us to compensate our students for the work they do for The Appalachian. However, the bulk of our operational expenses — from printing and website hosting to training and entering our work into competitions — is dependent upon advertising revenue and donations. We cannot exist without the financial and educational support of our fellow departments on campus, our local and regional businesses, and donations of money and time from alumni, parents, subscribers and friends.

Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest, both on campus and within the community. From anywhere in the world, readers can access our paywall-free journalism, through our website, through our email newsletter, and through our social media channels. Our supporters help to keep us editorially independent, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone.

If you can, please consider supporting us with a financial gift from $10. We appreciate your consideration and support of student journalism at Appalachian State University. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would prefer to make a recurring monthly gift, please give to The Appalachian Student News Fund through the university here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1727/cg20/form.aspx?sid=1727&gid=2&pgid=392&cid=1011&dids=418.15&bledit=1&sort=1.

Donate to The Appalachian
$1201
$5000
Contributed
Our Goal

Comments (0)

All The Appalachian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *