Wednesday Memo: Volume 9, Issue 30, Wednesday, April 29, 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
HR Science Research Team
App State’s HR Science Research Team is looking for new members to join for the 2026-2027 academic year. This team consists of faculty from the Departments of Management and Psychology, along with graduate and undergraduate students who strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and professional growth. The team also offers interested individuals a chance to earn academic research credit. Apply to join the team with this google form. For any questions, email Tony Grebentsov.
2026 App State Energy Summit Poster Competition
The Appalachian Energy Center and Office of Sustainability are sponsoring the 2026 Energy Summit Student Poster Competition. Students can submit a poster abstract by May 15 for research related to sustainability and energy to be presented during the summit on June 3-5. Apply via this form. For any questions, email James Sharp.
Marian Drane Graham Scholars
Applications for the Marian Drane Graham Scholars are open until May 11. This virtual, sixteen-week semester is open to juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in higher education. Scholars will attend through one of the sixteen constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. For questions, contact Kimberly Mitchell, and apply for the program via this link.
Aging Conference
The 3rd Annual Aging Conference will be held from May 14 – 15 in Leon Levine Hall. This conference includes a mix of individual and group presentations and brings together a wide range of voices. Participants will collaborate and walk away with practical strategies to support positive health outcomes. Registration is open now via this form.
Summit Scholars Mentoring Program
The Honors College Summit Scholars Mentoring Program offers a dynamic approach to mentorship that evolves with students through their undergraduate years. Sophomores and juniors act as peer mentors to incoming first-year students; we encourage you to apply via this link. Seniors can apply to be paired with a professional mentor from their field via this link. The deadline to apply for either role is May 30. For questions, contact Joanna Solorzano.
Stay in the Know
Guided Labyrinth Walks
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is celebrating World Labyrinth Day with guided labyrinth walks. on May 1. At 10 a.m., there will be a guided walk at the Sanford Mall Labyrinth, and then at 12 p.m., there will be one at the Levine Hall Labyrinth. RSVP via Engage.
The Peel: Launch Party
The Peel Literature and Arts Review will be hosting a launch party to celebrate their Volume 18 publication. The event will take place at Huzzah Books from 6 – 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Copies of the volume will be available for free, and various authors published in the edition will read excerpts. RSVP via Engage.
Volunteer at the May 2026 Spring Commencement Ceremonies
The Office of University Events is seeking volunteers to guide students through the University’s Commencement ceremonies, and to greet and assist families and guests. Individuals are welcome to volunteer for one or multiple ceremonies and can sign up by visiting these links: Thursday, May 7, at 6:00 p.m. in Hayes School of Music, Friday, May 8, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Holmes Convocation, or Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Holmes Convocation. For more information, visit this website.
Summer 2026 Craft Enrichment
The Craft Enrichment Program offers affordable community craft lessons taught by local artists. These classes are open to the public. Registration officially opens on May 13, at 12 p.m. Classes run 8 to 10 weeks. Visit their website to see the classes available this summer.
Appalachian Summer Festival
The Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources is hosting the annual celebration of the performing and visual arts across campus, featuring a mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Visit the Appalachian Summer Festival website to see the line-up for this year and purchase tickets for events.
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.”
Vanya Dill
Thursday, April 30, 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Rankin Science West, room 293
Presenting “Evolution of Devonian volcanic island arcs in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: three sites from Mongolia”
Nicole Tran
Thursday, April 30, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Anne Belk, room 109 & online
Presenting “Climate, Conflict, and Indigenous Vulnerability: Examining the Overlapping Forces Shaping Subnational Stability”
Clara Wilson
Thursday, April 30, 10:05 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
Rankin Science West, room 293
Presenting “Soil Organic Carbon Evolution Across Thermo-erosional Gullies on the North Slope of Alaska, USA”
Cecilia Reichert
Thursday, April 30, 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Chapel Wilson, room 203A
Presenting “Queering the Endometriosis Illness Experience”
Sarah Tucker Dill
Thursday, April 30, 93:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Garwood Hall, room 307
Presenting “A High-Throughput Assay for Finding Cytochrome P450 27C1 Inhibitors”
Kimberly Acosta Flores
Thursday, April 30, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 161
Presenting “Threading Community in the High Country: Sharing space, stories, and designs for a just future”
Bella Ward Dill
Friday, May 1, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wey Hall, room 203
Presenting “Polyhedral Artistry: A Workshop-Based, Dice-Informed Approach to Community Art Education”
Annie Deakle
Tuesday, May 5, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 187
Presenting “In-vitro characterization of a cyclooxygenase-like enzyme PXT from Drosophila melanogaster towards understanding its role in seizure disorders.”
Kyle Schroeder
Wednesday, May 6, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Garwood Hall, room 421
Presenting “Effects of Biochar and Lime as Amendments for Phosphorus Retention in Soil”
Ethan Olsen
Wednesday, May 6, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, room 187
Presenting “Building Bodies: Latin American Figural Visual Culture”
In the Honors Spotlight
Ryan Stukes ’25 begins exciting journey at Wake Forest School of Business
Ryan Stukes, an App State Honors College alumna and former Chancellor’s Scholar, has just completed her first semester in the 10‑month accelerated Master of Science in Management (MSM) program at Wake Forest University School of Business. Stukes graduated cum laude from App State with University Honors, earning a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on multicultural marketing and communications. Reflecting on her journey to-date, Stukes emphasizes resilience and gratitude, noting that her undergraduate experience and early graduate studies have been shaped by mentorship, creativity, and interdisciplinary exploration.
To read more about Stukes 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!