BOONE, N.C. — Dr. William Brewer, professor in Appalachian State University's Department of English, will serve as macebearer for the Fall 2024 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Commencement Ceremony. Dr. Donna Lillian, associate dean of CAS, will carry the university banner and Dr. Mike Madritch, dean of CAS, will carry the college banner. Dr. Mark Bradbury, associate dean of CAS, will read the graduates' names.
The Appalachian State mace is carried by a senior faculty member in all academic processions. Traditionally, the macebearer precedes the chancellor of an institution, both upon entering and leaving a ceremony. The mace serves as a symbol of authority just as it did during the Middle Ages, when a macebearer accompanied an official taking office or opening court. The App State mace symbolizes the university’s mountain heritage, the rustic location and the sophistication of an emerging, national leader in higher education.
About Dr. William Brewer
Dr. Brewer earned his bachelor degrees in English and American literatures and languages from Harvard University and his master's and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Virginia. He joined the Appalachian State Department of English as an assistant professor in 1987. In 1998, he was promoted to full professor. Brewer served as director of the English graduate program from 2005 to 2008.
Brewer is a scholar of British Romantic literature, a literary period whose themes inform – and remain relevant to – much of modern-day culture. During this period, according to Brewer, authors wrote about humanity’s connection to nature, mental phenomena, chameleonic identities, honor violence, women’s rights, disability, the performativity of gender and the kinship of humans with nonhuman animals.
Brewer's publications include five scholarly editions, three essay collections and numerous essays on the literature of the British Romantic period. Brewer is also the author of four scholarly monographs, the latest of which, Representing and Interrogating Dueling, Caning and Fencing during the Romantic Period, will be published by Liverpool University Press in 2025. Since 2017, he has served as the book review editor of European Romantic Review.
In 2003, Brewer received the college's Donald W. Sink Outstanding Scholar Award, which honors a tenured faculty member in CAS who has made outstanding scholarly contributions throughout their career.
Brewer brings his expertise in British Romantic literature to the classroom, teaching courses like "Romantic Period" (ENG 5870), "Literature of the British Romantic Period" (ENG 4870), "British Literature Since 1789" (ENG 2020) and the department's honors seminar, which delves into major world authors, genres and literary movements. Additionally, Brewer teaches "Science Fiction and Fantasy" (ENG 2190), a study of science fiction and fantasy books and film.
Dr. William Brewer teaches a literature course in Appalachian State University's Department of English in 2018. Photo by Marie Freeman
Brewer's scholarly accomplishments and service to his department, the college and the university for over three decades qualify him for the esteemed role of macebearer. CAS congratulates him on this honor.
The CAS Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 1 p.m. in the Holmes Convocation Center at 111 Rivers Street in Boone. For details about the Fall 2024 Commencement Ceremonies and to watch a livestream of the Ceremonies, visit appstate.edu/commencement.
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About the Department of English
The Department of English at Appalachian State University is committed to outstanding work in the classroom, the support and mentorship of students, and a dynamic engagement with culture, history, language, theory and literature. The department offers master’s degrees in English and rhetoric and composition, as well as undergraduate degrees in literary studies, film studies, creative writing, professional writing and English education. Learn more at english.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
December 2, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Dr. William Brewer, professor in Appalachian State University's Department of English, will serve as macebearer for the Fall 2024 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Dr. William Brewer, professor in Appalachian State University's Department of English, will serve as macebearer for the Fall 2024 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremony. Photo by Chase Reynolds