Welcome to the Holmes Center Biography. Here you will find interesting facts on the construction, history and plans for the Holmes Convocation Center. Check back often, as this will be an ever-changing area of the web site.

 1986 -- Student population and HLES department start outgrowing Varsity Gym.

 1987 -- NC Rep. David Diamont discusses renovating Varsity Gym; high cost leads to plan for new building.

 1994 -- NC Legislature appropriates $9.75 million for student activity center; original site above Kidd Brewer Stadium rejected for environmental concerns; committee formed to determine how center could best serve needs of university and region.

 1995 -- NC Rep. George Holmes gains support to fund convocation center; legislature appropriates $20.6 million; engineering study says center will have minimal impact on town's floodway.

 1996 -- Architectural drawings finalized.

 1997 -- Bids awarded for construction; legislature allocates additional $5 million, based on 1995 funding plan.

 December 1997 -- Ground breaking.

 January 1998 -- Construction begins.

 March 1998 -- ASU board of trustees names center for Rep. Holmes and arena for benefactor Seby B. Jones.

 Fall 2000 -- Convocation Center Opens.

 George M. Holmes: A 'People' Person -- Sports brought George M. Holmes to Boone. A commitment to public service has kept him in the region ever since...

 The History of the George M. Holmes Convocation Center and the Seby Jones Arena: 15 Years in the Making -- In 1986, Appalachian State University officials began exploring ways to enhance academic offerings within its department of health, leisure and exercise science and renovate Varsity Gym...

 New facility is One of Largest in NWNC -- The director of Appalachian State University's new George M. Holmes Convocation Center sees an array of events beyond the traditional pomp and circumstances surrounding convocation and graduation....

 Size: 200,840 square feet

 Seating: 9,034 for graduation/convocation; 8,800 for concerts; 8,576 for basketball events

 Academic space: comprises 24 percent of the building's total square footage and includes 10 lab/classroom combinations, four classrooms, four seminar rooms and 35 offices for the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science.

 Architect: Corley Redfoot Zack, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC

 Please see our Media and Image Gallery for a photo essay on the construction of the Holmes Center...