Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 9, Issue 33, Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Community engagement

edited by Melanie Kershaw

Hello Honors College students,

I'm excited to see our Honors community come back together in just a few weeks. This week's Spotlight story highlights four Honors College students who earned Gilman Scholarships and used this support to explore their curiosity through study abroad. I hope you see yourself in stories like these. It’s sometimes easy to think the opportunities we share in the Memo are for “someone else,” but they are absolutely meant for you.

Your Honors academic mentor is excited to help you ask questions, find resources, and take the next steps toward opportunities that fit your interests and goals. If something catches your eye, reach out and take that first step.

Warmly,
Vicky

Upcoming Opportunities:

Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email.

Free Online Course Through Okayama University

Apply for a free online course through Okayama University in Japan! The upcoming course discusses transdisciplinary artworks, particularly through the work of multimedia artist Yasuo Kuniyoshi. Take a deep dive into the relationship between art, democracy, and culture through 14 video lectures. The course lasts from Aug. 18 to Sept. 30. Apply by July 23 at 5:00 p.m. to take advantage of this intercultural learning opportunity.

Fall 2026 Internship Opportunities: Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is offering several local internships for Fall 2026. Apply to intern at the King Street Market, the Food Hub, the LocalFAM, or BRWIA’s marketing division. Gain real-world experience in event coordination while giving back to the community. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact BRWIA with any questions.

Nationally Competitive Scholarships

App State’s Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (NCS) helps students identify and apply for major external awards including prestigious opportunities like Fulbright awards for international graduate study or teaching, and Gilman Scholarships for studying abroad. Dara Carney-Nedelman, assistant director of NCS, has relocated her physical office to Appalachian Hall room 266. Honors students can schedule appointments to meet with her for assistance with upcoming scholarships by visiting the NCS website.

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. We encourage incoming first-year students 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. 10. Contact Joanna Solorzano with any questions.

 

Stay in the Know:

Drop-In Artmaking at the Turchin Center

Stop by the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for free artmaking. Visitors of all ages are invited to experiment with different mediums under the guidance of TVCA intern Emily Suit. No experience necessary and all materials provided. No sign-up required.  

Appalachian Summer: Live Music Performances

Join the Schaefer Center for a series of popular musical performances. Hear “Jessie’s Girl” and other classic hits from Rick Springfield on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. Return on Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. for a performance from country roots-rock band The Jayhawks. Tickets are $25 for students. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.

Jon Pardi at Kidd Brewer Stadium

On July 25 at 7:00 p.m., Jon Pardi brings his high-energy country show to Kidd Brewer Stadium presented by Explore Boone. Experience a honky-tonk summer evening with hits like “Mr. Saturday Night.”  Purchase tickets or visit JonPardi.com for more information.

Appalachian Summer: Catsman Foundation Global Film Festival

Visit the Schaefer Center for the final installment of the Catsman Foundation Global Film Festival. Experience the heartwarming story of “Happy Birthday” on July 28 at 7:30 p.m. Exploring themes of classism and power, this Egyptian film follows 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: Class Concert Series

End July with the Class Concert Series, hosted by the Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center. Join the Calidore Spring Quartet on July 29 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of classical music and newer favorites. Wrap up the month with Aaron Diehl on July 31 at 7:30 p.m. and experience his unique fusion of jazz and classical music. Tickets are $20 for students. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.

 

In the Honors Spotlight

Four Honors Students Receive Gilman Awards to Travel Abroad
Photos of Honors College students studying abroad with Gilman Awards.
Photos above feature Honors College students studying abroad with Gilman Awards.Top left (left to right) Emily Taylor, Annie Clark, and Sabrina Lorca Lozano in Edinburgh, Scotland, on a hike in Holyrood Park with the Honors College FLEAP: “Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes,” June 13, 2025. Photo submitted by Sabrina Lorca Lozano.Top right shows the group from the Honors College FLEAP: “Landscapes of Post-Conflict in Ireland and Northern Ireland” summer 2025. Photo submitted.Bottom right pictures Madison Northup at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea, in January 2026. Photo submitted.Bottom left Maevelyn Spring hiking in Christchurch, New Zealand, during the Spring semester 2026. Photo submitted.

Four Honors College students were among App State’s 16 recipients of the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in 2025. The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship supports U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad. This marks the largest cohort of Gilman Scholars in Appalachian’s history — a fivefold increase from the previous year.

The four Honors College students awarded include:

The next application cycle for Gilman awards will launch in mid-January 2027. Students interested in applying are encouraged to visit gilmanscholarship.org or contact the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships via email.

Read the full press release by Dara Carney-Nedelman to learn more.

Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by the prior Wednesday 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.