BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University celebrated the achievements of more than 4,300 graduates — the largest graduating class in university history — during its Spring 2026 Commencement, with seven ceremonies held May 7–9 at Holmes Convocation Center on the Boone campus.
Sisters Seleen Al Horani and Masa Al Horani, originally from Jordan, graduated from App State’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), each earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with a certified chemist concentration. Among numerous achievements at App State: They were departmental honors students, best poster award winners at the 2025 American Chemical Society meeting and student leaders in the American Chemical Society student club.
Masa is headed to graduate school to pursue further studies in chemistry, with interests in biochemistry, organic chemistry and polymer research. Seleen is trending toward clinical applications of chemistry and is examining her options upon graduation. Both graduates co-authored impactful journal articles with their mentor, Dr. Petia Bobadova, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, on research into dyes with applications ranging from biomedical imaging to solar cells.
The experience gave the Al Horani sisters a foundational understanding of research practices and real-world applications. They were inspired by the versatility of chemistry and the many doors that are opened by skills in the field.
“Dr. Bobadova is one of the best people I’ve ever met,” Seleen said. “She inspires me and she is the reason that I am really into research — because I found that I have a place in it and can actually contribute to important work.”
Masa stressed the value of undergraduate connections and being part of a larger community, saying she plans to carry that spirit of collaboration with her beyond App State.
“We all work together and everyone helps each other out at App State,” she said. “I think it’s important to be able to work with people and lift one another. That’s going to be very important to take to grad school.”
Undergraduate research opened the door to many other opportunities for involvement and friendships at App State, Seleen said. Key among them was the Appalachian Chemical Society, which the sisters joined at the same time. Serving as an ambassador for the CAS Corps grounded Seleen in the College of Arts and Sciences and helped her find ways to share her experiences with others, and International Appalachian (INTAPP), a student group working to promote study abroad, facilitated connections with international students.
“I’ve had amazing friendships form because of INTAPP, and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people from around the world I connected with on so many different levels,” Seleen said.
Their advice to continuing App State students: Get involved, find community and peer support and leverage university resources while they are readily available.
“It’s important to get involved on campus with things that interest you,” Seleen said. “Because that’s how you come to appreciate the degree you’re getting and the education you’re receiving. Without that, we wouldn’t have received a lot of the same professional, emotional or academic growth.”
By building community on campus, you find resilience and perspective, Masa said.
“Believe in yourself that you can get through the challenges and difficult courses,” she said. “Community will make it a lot more positive and a lot easier.”
Read the full Spring 2026 Commencement story on the Appalachian Today website.
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About the A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences
The A.R. Smith Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences offers a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with eight different concentrations and an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in fermentation sciences. The department’s programs prepare students to attend graduate and professional schools, as well as for employment in the pharmaceutical and fermentation industries and other business sectors. Learn more at dcfs.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.
App State alumni Masa and Seleen Al Horani. Photo by Chase Reynolds
App State alumni Masa and Seleen Al Horani. Photo by Chase Reynolds