Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 10, Issue 2 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
edited by Melanie Kershaw
Hello Honors College students!
Whether you’re new to college life or beginning another year in the High Country, you probably have a lot on your plate. As a third-year industrial design student and now the editor of the Wednesday Memo, I’ve had to navigate those same feelings. When I first entered App State, I joined almost 10 clubs (too many!), so I learned how to say “no” quickly. Deciding which opportunities are worth your energy can be challenging, but keeping an open mind and a curious spirit is essential for a fulfilling college experience. You’ll never discover your passions if you don’t take that first step into the unknown.
Happy exploring!
Melanie
Upcoming Opportunities
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email.
North Carolina Honors Association Conference at UNC Pembroke
Take part in the annual North Carolina Honors Association (NCHA) conference from Friday, Sept. 18 to Saturday, Sept. 19 at UNC Pembroke. The Honors College will be traveling together to the conference and can provide transportation, facilitate poster printing, provide hotel accommodations, and cover registration fees for up to 10 Honors student presenters. Proposals are due by midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with notifications of acceptance sent out by Tuesday, Sept. 8. To be eligible for Honors College support, students must email Dr. Waldroup for pre-approval by 8:00 am on Monday, Aug. 31 before submitting an abstract. All proposals are welcome, particularly those that align with the conference theme of “Honors for a Complex World: Leadership, Citizenship, and Engagement.” Contact Dr. Klima with any questions.
Office of Student Research - Undergraduate Research Assistantships Proposals Now Available
The Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program provides full-time undergraduates from all disciplines the opportunity to complete 80 hours of faculty-guided research, scholarship, or creative work per semester at $15 per hour. While faculty members officially submit the application, proposals benefit when students and mentors draft them together. Reach out to your mentor to prepare the submission ahead of the Wednesday, Sept. 2 (midnight) deadline. Award notifications will be sent by the end of September. Complete the Google form or contact the Office of Student Research for more information.
Climate Wayfinding Retreat
Apply for one of 15 spots in the annual Climate Wayfinding Retreat. This free retreat includes a short session at the Student Union on Friday, Sept. 18 at 4:00 pm, and two all-day sessions at the Valle Crucis Conference Center on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 at 9:00 am. Lunch is provided. Take advantage of this opportunity to build connections and join a community of climate advocates in a beautiful location. All majors are welcome to apply by Tuesday, Sept. 1. Contact Laura England for more information.
HON FLEAP to London: Experiencing the Past & Present
Fulfill the Honors College’s study abroad requirement with a Faculty-led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) to the United Kingdom. Explore London through HON-3517 “City Life and Theatre at the Turn of the 17th Century” and HON-2515 “Crafted Experiences.” Class begins May 10, with international travel from May 24 to June 9. Join Dr. Paulette Marty and John Marty, professors in the Department of Theatre and Dance, to experience London’s renowned architecture and cultural events for academic credit. All students are welcome to apply, with preference given to Honors students and theatre arts majors. Apply by Nov. 1 and contact Dr. Marty with any questions.
International Appalachian Fall Recruitment
Apply for International Appalachian (INTAPP), a student-run organization that promotes study abroad and positive experiences for international students. Improve networking skills while connecting with students from around the world. INTAPP has weekly meetings on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Complete the Google form by Aug. 31 to join.
Stay in the Know
Registration Open for Fall Craft Enrichment Classes
Sign up for on-campus craft enrichment classes taught by local artisans. Explore woodworking, pottery, and other mediums at beginner and immediate levels. Classes last 8 to 10 weeks and cost $130 to $300 with all materials included. Register for classes or contact the program director with any questions.
D. Zisl Slepovitch Residency: Holocaust Testimony, Yiddish Music, and Cultural Memory
Join internationally acclaimed musician and educator Dr. Zisl Slepovitch for a three-day artist-in-residence program from Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30. Through music and storytelling, participants will engage with poems and songs preserved in Holocaust survivor testimonies and learn about their historical significance. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies.
Planet Courage: Stories of Local Climate Heroes
Visit the Student Union on Monday, Aug. 31 at 5:30 pm for Planet Courage, a free session spotlighting community-based organizations. Hear from Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, MountainTrue, and App State’s Renewable Energy Initiative about their innovative solutions to the climate crisis. This event is open to the public with no registration required. Email Laura England with any questions.
Hayes School of Music: Upcoming Events
Join the Hayes School of Music for their September concerts, located in the Broyhill Music Center. Experience a colorful rendition of Igor Stavinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” performed by music faculty on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 8:00 pm. This performance is free and open to the public. Register for a free workshop designed to help high school singers prepare for the North Carolina High School Honors Chorus (NCMEA) on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1:00 pm. Contact the Hayes School of Music for more information.
Appalachian Arts Performances
Visit the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts Fall 2026 season. Join Dan + Claudia Zanes for an interactive, family-friendly concert on Oct. 15 at 10:00 am. Return on Oct. 16 at 7:30 pm for a live recording of the long-running radio program Mountain Stage. Kick off November with a performance by the “Jimi Hendrix of the ukelele” Jake Shimabukuro on Nov. 4 at 10:00 am. Embark on a dreamlike journey through nature-inspired music by MOMIX on Nov. 12 at 10:00 am and 7:30 pm. Tickets are available starting Sept. 2 and range from $5 to $20 for students. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.
In the Honors Spotlight
Introducing Dr. Kevin Zwetsloot, the Honors College Academic Mentor for Health Sciences Majors
Dr. Kevin Zwetsloot, an exercise physiologist and professor in the Department of Kinesiology, has joined the Honors College as an academic mentor for students in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Dr. Zwetsloot, who also serves as director of the Biochemistry Laboratory, has mentored 12 undergraduate honors theses and taught honors courses. In his new mentoring role, he will guide health sciences majors as they navigate their curriculum and plan for postgraduate goals.
In addition to advising, Dr. Zwetsloot teaches courses in anatomy, physiology and exercise physiology while conducting interdisciplinary research. He is currently collaborating with biology faculty to investigate how exercise can improve gut health. Inspired by the mentors who guided his own career, Dr. Zwetsloot seeks to involve undergraduates directly in his laboratory research. He explained, “I like to get students involved and get them passionate, and instill in them that drive of really being curious about something.”
Email or schedule a meeting with Dr. Zwetsloot to discuss academic goals or taking part in his research.
Read the full story by Melanie Kershaw.
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.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!