EDITOR'S NOTE: The following message from Chancellor Kimberly van Noor , addressed to the "UNC Asheville Community," was emailed by UNCA on Dec 17 to the Daily Planet and is being reprinted in full below.

Dear UNC Asheville Community,

On December 13, 2024, the UNC Asheville community gathered in Kimmel Arena to celebrate the graduation of over 200 Bulldogs, the first graduates of the Class of 2025.

As I said in my remarks, this 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.

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.”

Students also heard from Oscar Wong, recipient of an honorary degree and 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.” 

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.”

At last, the big moment had arrived. It was time for the students to walk across the stage, receive their diplomas, and officially become UNC Asheville graduates. Take a look at our recording of the ceremony and relive your favorite new alumni receiving their degrees.

We are honored to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, grateful to all the friends, family, faculty, staff, and alumni who make the UNC Asheville experience possible, and tremendously proud of our Bulldog community for rising above unprecedented challenges.

Congratulations to our newest alumni, the first graduates of the UNC Asheville Class of 2025!

Best regards,

Kimberly van Noort, Ph.D.
Chancellor