Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 9, Issue 27, Wednesday, April 8, 2026
edited by Em Acuña
Dear Honors College Students,
This is one of the best times of year in Honors—seniors are stepping up to share work they’ve spent months building and refining. Thesis defenses are a chance to celebrate as a community and, for many of you, a glimpse of what’s ahead. If you haven’t attended one yet, this is the perfect time to see the range of projects Honors College students take on and start imagining your own path. For those of you preparing for your defense, the final thesis workshop this week is a wonderful place to gather with your peers, share where you are, and find the support you need to finish strong. We’re proud of you!
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu(link sends e-mail)
New River Symposium
The 2026 New River Symposium, hosted by New River Conservancy, will be held in the Plemmons Student Union from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on April 9 and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 10. This year's theme, “Resiliency in the Watershed,” highlights the intersections of resilience and climate adaptation in ecology, community, and economy. The events will feature panel discussions, poster presentations, and more! Register online today; registration is free for all students.
Honors College Thesis Workshops
Taylor Carillo, the Honors College graduate assistant, is hosting a series of Thesis Workshops to support all honors students at any point in their thesis journey. The last session will be hosted on Friday, April 10, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in App Hall 085. For more information and to RSVP to any of the upcoming sessions, use this Sign-up form.
AsUR Virtual Q&A
AsUR is a program dedicated to empowering college students with executive functioning challenges by providing a community that celebrates unique abilities and accomplishments. AsUR will be hosting a series of virtual sessions on April 13, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.; April 16, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.; and April 30, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. to introduce upcoming changes and for feedback and Q&A. Register for a session through this link.
Appol Corps Leader Applications Open
Appalachian Orientation Leader (Appol Corps) applications are currently open until Friday, May 1. Appol Corps leaders serve as guides to incoming students during the three-day Welcome to App Orientation Program Friday August 14 to Sunday August 16. This is a paid position that also comes with the option to move-in early if you are on campus. Access the application via this link and schedule an interview via google calendar.
New Student Organization: App State Commerce
App State Commerce is an upcoming new student organization for advancing equity, human rights, civic engagement, and evidence-based policy at App State through education, advocacy, and community service. If you are interested, fill out this interest form by April 15. If you have any questions, please contact either Madison Williamson, president, or Camila Aranda, vice president.
Stay in the Know
Hayes School of Music Performances
In the Hayes School of Music (HSOM) this week, the Guitar Ensemble will perform on Wednesday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. “A Celebration of the 250th Birthday of the USA with American Song” will be performed on Thursday, April 9 at 6:00 p.m. in Schaffel Recital Hall. Finally, on Sunday, April 12 in Rosen Concert Hall, Dr. Alicia Chapman will perform a faculty oboe recital at 2:00 p.m. and then at 4:00 p.m. the Blazing Bassoons will perform. All events have free admission. Visit the Hayes School of Music Performance Calendar for details and updates on all events and performances.
Earth Month Cook-In
The final Cooking with Purpose program this semester will also be the first annual Earth Month Cook-In: Planet on a Plate held on Sunday, April 12 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The event, led by Carla Ramsdell and Tina Houston, is free and open to anyone, but registration is required via this google form. For questions and additional information, contact Carla Ramsdell.
Exploring Clean Hydrogen-based Long Duration Energy Storage at App State: A Demonstration by the National Laboratory of the Rockies
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for energy systems, has recently partnered with App State to demonstrate a hydrogen-based long-duration energy storage (LDES) system. Researchers from NLR will present findings on the system’s performance and assess the feasibility of deploying hydrogen-based LDES systems on Tuesday, April 14 at 2:00 p.m. The event is virtual, with a watch party in Beacon Heights (417), PSU. The event is free and open to all community members.
Guest Speaker Sandra Clark
The Common Reading Program) The University Forum Lecture Series is excited to welcome StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark as a guest speaker, supporting the App State 2025-26 common reading book, “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work.” Clark will give her talk, “The Purpose and Passion of StoryCorps,” at 2:00 p.m. on April 14 in PSU 420. Following the talk, there will be a Q&A session. For additional information, contact Rick Klima, director of the Common Reading Program.
INTAPP Coffee Buzz 5K
INTAPP will be hosting the 14th annual Coffee Buzz on Sunday, April 19 at 12:00 p.m. in Durham Park. This event supports the Landon Hill scholarship, which funds students to have transformative study abroad experiences. The registration fee is $25 and you can register via this link. To learn more about the event, visit the webpage on INTAPP. For any questions, contact Yauri Hatcher.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses
Dr. Klima urges, “Support your fellow Honors College students and faculty by attending Honors thesis defenses! You’ll marvel, learn, and grow. With each defense you attend, you’ll make your own easier.”
Hannah Wallace
Thursday, April 9, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 162
Presenting “Onboarding Effectiveness and Early-Career Outcomes: Examining Job Satisfaction and Retention in Recent Graduates”
James Moser
Thursday, April 9, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Anne Belk, room 228
Presenting “A Link to the Past: Challenges, Strategies, and Needs of Video Game Preservation”
Emily Martinez
Monday, April 13, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “How Can Homeowners Implement Sustainable Renovation Using Green Building Rating System Practices”
Hayley Richardson
Tuesday, April 14, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “Work, Life, and Loyalty: A Tri-Country Exploration of Employee Commitment and Retention Strategies”
Mary Edwards
Tuesday, April 14, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Katherine Harper, room 30
Presenting “Comparing Land-Use Efficiency and Energy Output of Corn Ethanol VS. Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaics in the United States”
Erin Alden
Wednesday, April 15, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Leon Levine, room 329
Presenting “The Role of Sex in Oxidative Stress and Implications on Blood Pressure”
Victoria Braynin
Wednesday, April 15, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “Adherence to the Photovoice Method in Food Insecurity Research: A Critical Review of the Literature”
In the Honors Spotlight
Claire Curry builds off her HON 1515 seminar to shape her future with community engagement through photography
Honors College first-year student Claire Curry has been working with Crop & Trade, a new local co-op that opened June 1, 2025, through advertising and photography for the past two semesters. Last semester, Curry took the Honors College first-year seminar (HON 1515) Photographic Journeying: Contemplative to Community-Engaged, taught by Dr. Garrett McDowell. The course influenced Curry to become more passionate about photography, leading her to switch to a major in advertising.
For her final project assignment, Curry partnered with Crop & Trade Co-Op, a “one-stop shop offering everything & anything grown, created, or crafted locally. This worker-owned market brings fresh produce, home goods, handmade artisan crafts, and pantry staples directly to the consumer from the makers.”
To learn more about Curry’s experience and her continued engagement, read the full story by Em Acuña.
Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday will be considered for the following week’s issue.
Have a story to share? Share what you have done, what you are doing, or what you will be doing by submitting a story here.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!