Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 9, Issue 29, Wednesday, April 22, 2026
edited by Em Acuña
Dear Honors College Students,
This time of year always sneaks up on me in the best way. As thesis defenses get in full swing, I’m reminded how lucky I am to be part of a community where curiosity makes such an impact. Getting to know so many of you is the very best part of my job. It also makes each spring a little harder in its own way. Next week will be Em Acuña’s last Wednesday Memo as editor. I’ve known Em since their first days at our front desk; they’ve been shaping the Honors College for the better ever since. I’m grateful for all Em has done here, and I’m looking forward to celebrating what comes next with them and with all our seniors. Graduates, that means you have to keep in touch. This is a community that doesn’t end at graduation.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
“Earth Tones” with Etienne Charles
App State’s Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources and Pathways to Resilience QEP are hosting Etienne Charles, award-winning Trinidadian trumpeter, composer, and climate storyteller, on campus during Earth Week 2026 on April 22, 2:00 - 2:50 p.m. in the Plemmons Student Union 137 ABC Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, and on April 23, 9:30-10:45 a.m. Plemmons Student Union 420 Parkway Ballroom. Then, on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Schaefer Center, Charles will perform “Earth Tones,” a multimedia jazz performance that highlights individuals and regions affected by climate change. Tickets for Friday’s performance are on sale online. Opening May 1, the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts will host Earth Tones as an exhibition.
Rethink Poverty: Poverty Simulation #38
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is hosting a simulation to experience poverty and a group reflective discussion after the experience. The simulation will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in PSU, room 201AB. The event is open to all students.
Guided Gallery Tour at TCVA
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts is leading a guided gallery tour on Saturday, April 25, at 1 p.m., led by Turchin Center Intern and App State student Zoe Efthymiou. To join the tour, RSVP via Engage.
AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies 2026
The American Institute for Indonesian Studies(AIFIS) and Michigan State University (MSU) Asian Studies Center will host the 6th annual AIFIS-MSU Conference on Indonesian Studies from May 28 – 30. This year’s theme, “Making Knowledge, Making History: Producing the Indonesian Past, Present and Future,” invites individuals to explore how Indonesia has been studied across time. Registration is now open for individuals interested in attending. Visit their website to learn more and submit an abstract.
Honors Move-In and Welcome Week Volunteers
The Honors College is looking for volunteers to help with the August move-in and Honors College welcome week. Volunteers help build first connections with incoming students on campus and in the Honors community. Volunteers living on campus can move in early. Fill out this Google form to sign up.
Stay in the Know
Orchesis’ Cinnamon and Salt Annual Showcase
The Orchesis Alliance, a student organization designed to bring the therapeutic expressive arts community together, is hosting its annual showcase on Thursday, April 23, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. in Crossroads Café. Anyone is welcome to attend; RSVP via Engage.
Spring Closet Clean-Out
Sustainability and Energy Management are holding a spring closet clean-out on Friday, April 24, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sanford Mall and the Quad by Thunder Hill, Ravel Rocks, and Laurel Creek. Individuals are encouraged to bring items to swap and trade with items from the Mountaineer Free Store.
National Alliance on Mental Health Meeting
The National Alliance on Mental Health will be holding an on-campus meeting on Monday, April 27 at 6:15 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union. The meeting will consist of check-ins, education sessions, and discussion. RSVP for the event via Engage.
Hearts of Glass Film and Discussion Panel
As part of the sustainability film series, a showing of “Heart of Glass” will take place on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. in Greenbriar Theatre, with a panel discussion involving individuals in the film taking place afterward. This film follows the tumultuous first 15 months of operation of Vertical Harvest. RSVP for the event via Engage.
Don’t Throw it Away!
Sustainability and Energy Management are hosting the “Don’t Throw it Away” move-out program. They are looking for volunteers to help in shifts with the collection, sorting, and delivery/pick-up of materials. To sign up, enter your information on the volunteer sheet.
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.”
Madeleine Fish
Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Leon Levine, room 208
Presenting “Structured Exercise Education Program with Behavior Change for Older Populations”
Umamah Quadri
Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 187
Presenting “Epilepsy Treatment Strategies Involving Diet Modification and Gut Microbiome”
Celia Merrifield
Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Anne Belk, room 342
Presenting “Archaeological Preservation of African American Cemeteries Using Group Penetrating Radar: Best Practices and Ethics”
Jessica Plantamura
Friday, April 24, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Leon Levine, room 218
Presenting “Analyzing Cybersecurity Data Breaches Across North Carolina Healthcare Providers: 2016-2024”
Jenna Weber
Friday, April 24, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Appalachian Hall
Presenting “An Investigation of How Occupational Therapists Empower Their Clients by Applying Servant Leadership”
DeeAnne Montero
Friday, April 24, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 085
Presenting “Cultivating Happiness in the Advertising Age”
Zoe Balson
Friday, April 24, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Walker Hall, room 103B
Presenting “Timeless Tunes: A Quantitative Analysis of Melodic Structure in Enduring and Ephemeral Popular Songs”
Karalynn McClellan
Friday, April 24, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “Associations between Screen Time and ADHD and Inattention in Elementary Schoolers”
Audrey Ashdown
Friday, April 24, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 162
Presenting “Young Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Decrease in Negative Affect Over Time: A Longitudinal Study of Two Cohorts”
Reagan Petto
Monday, April 27, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
PSU, room 100
Presenting “Queering Sex Ed Through Peer-Led, Adult-Guided Community-Based Practices”
Ember Jones
Monday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “Acoustic monitoring for avian biodiversity in secondary neotropical forest at La Selva, Costa Rica”
Corbin McLean
Monday, April 27, 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Leon Levine, room 317
Presenting “Artificial Intelligence in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Opportunities, Challenges, and Implications for the Therapeutic Nurse-Patient Relationship”
Lance Skelton
Monday, April 27, 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Reich College of Education, room 117
Presenting “Carolina Ski Culture: A Ski Film and Autoethnographic Study”
Nicole Chedraoui
Tuesday, April 28, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “How Effective Are Drug Courts At Reducing Recidivism Among Individuals With Substance Use Disorders?”
Skylar Miller
Tuesday, April 28, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 187
Presenting “Bridging Gaps in Curriculum and Communication – The Case for Creating a Spanish Language Education Requirement in Appalachian State’s Construction Management Program”
Enzo Ramos
Tuesday, April 28, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Peacock Hall, room 2013
Presenting “COMPLEXITY AND RETAIL INVESTOR WILLINGNESS TO INVEST IN STRUCTURED PRODUCTS”
Samantha Weaver
Tuesday, April 28, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Peacock Hall, room 2102
Presenting “Navigating Innovation, Ethics, and Intellectual Property in the Age of Generative AI”
Sammie Sileo
Tuesday, April 28, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Broyhill, room 407
Presenting “Therapeutic Songwriting for Children with Autism: A Feasibility Study”
Conlan Whisnant
Tuesday, April 28, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Rankin Science South, room 210B
Presenting “THE EFFECTS OF A RECENT MAJOR DISTURBANCE ON YEARLY ARTHROPOD BIOMASS FLUCTUATIONS”
Gavin Greenberg
Wednesday, April 29, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Rankin Science South, room 210B
Presenting “The Impact of Nesting-Concurrent Weather on Eastern North American Passerine Productivity”
In the Honors Spotlight
First-year Honors College student Sophia White completes Tours of Duty internship
First-year Honors College student Sophia White is turning a lifelong connection to the military into meaningful work through an internship with Tours of Duty, a nonprofit dedicated to honoring veterans and helping bring closure to families of American prisoners of war and those missing in action. White is double-majoring in biological anthropology and English. This internship experience epitomizes how Honors College students like Sophia build their academic interests into real-world contexts, embracing leadership, service, and learning opportunities to meet the Honors College's mission to: “engage beyond themselves, across disciplinary boundaries, and in collaboration with others.”
To read more about White and her experience, read the full story, by Isabella Lebron.
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!