Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 9, Issue 32, Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Dear Honors College community,
One of my favorite parts of June has been meeting our incoming first-year students during Orientation. They have been busy meeting each other, connecting with their mentors, and planning for the semester ahead. You are likely following your own path this summer through research, internships, studying abroad, or time spent back home with the people and communities that continue to shape who you are. Wherever summer has taken you, I hope you are learning more about yourselves and the world around you. I always enjoy the quieter pace that summer brings, but I’m already looking forward to the energy that returns with all of you in August!
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium
The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies will host the 24th Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Symposium from July 9 to 15 at the College of Education Building. This symposium includes 40 hours of sessions for educators, students, and the general community to deepen their understanding of the Holocaust and strengthen their teaching methods. Many sessions are free and open to the public. Learn more about the symposium events or contact organizers to learn more.
Volunteers for App Builds a Home/Watauga Habitat for Humanity
App Builds a Home/Watauga Habitat for Humanity need summer volunteers to help build the Lee family home! No construction experience needed. Individuals or groups can sign up to work for a half or full volunteer day. Contact Misty Mayfield with any questions.
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. Incoming first-year students are encouraged to apply for a peer mentorship with sophomore or junior Honors students. Seniors can apply to be paired with a professional mentor from their field. The deadline to apply for either role is Aug. 9. Contact Joanna Solorzano with any questions.
Fall 2026 Climate Wayfinding Retreat
For the Fall semester, App State will offer a Climate Wayfinding Retreat, an immersive learning program developed by leading climate thinker/doer Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, in which participants will explore their unique possibilities for contributing to positive climate action. The weekend retreat takes place Sept. 18-20 and includes meetings Sept. 18 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union, 169 Three Top Mountain; and Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. both at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. To be considered for one of the 15 spots complete and submit the application form by Friday, Aug. 28. For questions or further information, contact the QEP: Pathways to Resilience.
2026 North Carolina Honors Association Conference
Save the date for the 2026 North Carolina Honors Association (NCHA) Conference, hosted at UNC Pembroke Sept. 18 - 19. The conference will feature multidisciplinary student presentations, including 15-minute oral presentations and research posters. The Honors College will organize and fund group travel—covering registration, transportation, and lodging costs—for a limited cohort of students, and arrange for free printing of student posters. If you are interested in presenting or attending, reach out to Dr. Heather Waldroup to express interest and secure your spot in the travel group.
Stay in the Know:
Appalachian Summer: Turchin Center for the Visual Arts
The Appalachian Summer Festival offers a diverse range of free visual arts events at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) from June 30 to July 29. Start the summer off with an ARTtalk by filmmaker and global cinema curator Dale Pollock on June 30 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Explore the Summer Exhibition Celebration on July 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Learn about the impact of sculpture at App State from longtime curator Hank Foreman on July 9 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. before joining the 40th Annual Outdoor Rosen Sculpture Walk on July 11 at 10:00 a.m. Step behind the curtain for ARTtalks on July 15 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. with Jillian Davis, artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and July 29 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. with Calidore String Quartet. Contact the TCVA for more information.
Appalachian Summer: Catsman Foundation Global Film Festival
Visit the Schaefer Center from June 30 to July 28 for the Catsman Foundation Global Film Festival. Begin the summer with “Calle Malaga,” a Spanish-language film about a widow fighting to keep her family house on June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Return on July 14 at 7:30 p.m. for “Sentimental Value,” a Norwegian drama following two sisters who reunite with their estranged father. Experience a father-son road trip through the Moroccan landscape with “Sirat” on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. Conclude on July 28 at 7:30 p.m. with “Happy Birthday,” an Egyptian film following an 8-year-old maid who goes to great lengths to ensure her best friend has a successful birthday party. Tickets are $10 for general admission. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.
Appalachian Summer: Live Music Performances
Join the Schaefer Center for a series of popular musical performances. Experience the iconic Grammy-winning R&B artist Gladys Knight on July 8 at 7:30 p.m. Join innovative a-cappella group Straight No Chaser for a Beach Bash on July 10 at 7:30 p.m., before visiting “Glee” alum Darren Criss on July 18 at 7:30 p.m. Hear “Jessie’s Girl” and other classic hits from Rick Springfield on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. The series culminates on Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. with country roots-rock band The Jayhawks. Tickets are $25 for students. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.
Appalachian Summer Festival: Class Concert Series
Experience the Schaefer Center’s Class Concert Series throughout July. Join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on July 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for a stirring blend of Czech and American folk music. Then, at the Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center, attend the free 15th Annual Rosen-Schaffel Competition on July 2 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. before joining the Merz Trio on July 7 at 7:30 p.m. Also at the Rosen Concert Hall, WindSync’s family-friendly retelling of “Peter and the Wolf” on July 12 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and starting at 7:30 p.m., an evening of summery classical music. Wrap up the month at the Rosen Concert Hall on July 29 at 7:30 p.m. with the Calidore String Quartet’s reimagining of Beethoven and other classical compositions. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.
Jon Pardi performing at Kidd Brewer Stadium on July 25
On July 25 at 7:00 p.m., Jon Pardi brings his high-energy country show to Kidd Brewer Stadium presented by Explore Boone. Get your tickets and learn more from App State Athletics.
In the Honors Spotlight
Avery Martin takes part in Spring Break archaeology dig in Boone’s historic Junaluska neighborhood.
This past Spring Break, Avery Martin joined Dr. Cameron Gokee, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, for an intensive archaeology field course in Boone’s historic Junaluska neighborhood. Junaluska is one of the oldest African American communities in Western North Carolina, located about a mile from App State's Boone campus.
Martin is an Honors College student with a double major in anthropology and applied and public history, who joined the Honors College in the Fall semester of 2023 and plans to graduate May of 2027. Martin has also worked as a front office student worker for the Honors College since January of 2025.
The class focused on uncovering material traces of Junaluska neighborhood’s nineteenth‑century origins. This research is part of the ongoing Junaluska Community Archaeology Project, launched in 2021 by Gokee and Dr. Alice Wright, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology.
About her Spring Break experience, Martin shared,
“It was such an amazing opportunity to be able to participate in an excavation as part of the JCAP! This was my first time doing an archaeological excavation, and I'm excited that the work I contributed to is directly for the benefit of the community members of the Junaluska neighborhood. We ended up uncovering several artifacts that we were able to confirm were from the early-mid twentieth century. I really enjoyed the chance to do an excavation locally in Boone and to help uncover some of the town's earlier history!”
Read the full story by Lauren Gibbs on the College of Arts and Sciences website.
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.
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To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!