Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 10, Issue 5, Wednesday, September 16, 2026

edited by Melanie Kershaw

Dear Honors Students,

This Friday, Dr. Waldroup and I are heading to the North Carolina Honors Association conference with five of your peers who will be presenting their research. One of my favorite things about watching Honors students present is seeing where curiosity can lead and how much a project changes and matures as you work on it. Wherever you are in your thesis process, be sure to build in space to reflect and let your ideas develop. Remember that your Honors Academic Mentor is here to help you connect what you're curious about with what you hope to do next and think about how your Honors thesis might help bridge the two.

Warmly,
Vicky

Upcoming Opportunities

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

Honors Vanguard Website: Now Live

Check out the new Honors College Vanguard website. Vanguard are a students recognized for outstanding scholarship and contributions to the Honors community. Vanguard members support the College by meeting with prospective students, representing the college at public events, and helping host socials. Learn more about membership responsibilities or contact LeiLani Betancourt with any questions.

Free LSAT Workshop for Appalachian Students

Join TestMasters for a free Zoom LSAT workshop on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6:00 pm. Attendees will be challenged with a series of LSAT questions, and longtime instructor and Harvard University alum Tea Skela will demonstrate the most effective methods for success. Register to secure a spot.

Night Under the Stars

Experience the Dark Sky Observatory with Night Under the Stars on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8:00 pm. This special evening invites guests to explore the Observatory and meet App State astronomers and astronomy students. Tickets are $150, which includes a $90 donation supporting the Observatory. Purchase tickets by Wednesday, Sept. 23 and view directions to the remote location. Contact Observatory Director Dr. Daniel Caton with any questions.

Construction, Design & Renewable Energy Technology Career Fair

Stop by the Career Development Center’s Construction, Design, and Renewable Energy Career Fair in the Holmes Convocation Center from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 29. This fair is targeted towards students in the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and features over 100 employers. Students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and dress professionally. Contact Hannah Little for more information.

Project Horseshoe Farm: Year-Long Community Health Fellowship Program

Give back to underserved communities in Alabama from June 2027 to July 2028 with Project Horseshoe Farm’s fellowship program. Fellows support the social and health needs of the community through volunteering in Horseshoe Farm’s service programs and providing relationship-based support to children, adults living with mental illness, seniors, and other vulnerable individuals. Apply by the priority deadline on October 25. Internships are also available, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Check out the informational document or contact fellow Manasa Raghavan with questions about her firsthand experience.

Stay in the Know

Upcoming from the Hayes School of Music

Join the Hayes School of Music for their September events. Visit Broyhill Music Center on Friday, Sept. 18 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm for the annual Research and Creativity Activity at Appalachian Event (RECAPP), featuring research presentations and keynote speakers. Stop by the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 18 at 8:00 pm for a performance by the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band. Join music faculty for a trombone and piano recital at the Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 4:00 pm. Return to the Rosen Concert Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8:00 pm for a Celebration Concert commemorating 25 years of the Hayes School of Music. View the full lineup or contact the Hayes School of Music for more information.

Creative Coping

Stop by the Student Union on Mondays from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for Creative Coping. This drop-in art space allows students to engage creatively to reduce stress, cultivate mindfulness, and foster community. Art supplies are provided. All students are welcome and no signup is required.

Mountaineer Recovery Community

Join the Mountaineer Recovery Community for weekly meetings every Monday at 5:00 pm in the Student Union. The group welcomes students seeking support in their recovery journeys, including drugs, alcohol, disordered eating, and other challenges. No signup is needed. Contact Rachel Peterson with any questions.

Visiting Writers Series: Kate Quinn

Join bestselling author Kate Quinn for the 2026 Belk Distinguished Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 pm in the Grandview Ballroom. Quinn will be discussing her historical fiction novels and signing books. Register for the free event or contact Evan Gray for more information.

belonging to place: The Creative Community & Artistic Legacy of bell hooks

Visit the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts for an exhibition celebrating iconic intersectional writer bell hooks, on display until Sept. 25. The work in this free exhibit documents the process of coming to belong in exploited and marginalized places through the featured artists’ collective histories. The exhibition is open to the public on weekdays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

In the Honors Spotlight

29th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors

The 29th annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors recently marked a milestone as the largest in Appalachian State University's history, with 240 students participating. Among these scholars, the following 29 honors students showcased their work, reflecting the Honors College's emphasis on developing high-level research skills and independent thinking through faculty-mentored projects.
 

Held in the Plemmons Student Union, the event provides a low-stakes platform for students to present research and creative projects, while growing their public speaking skills. This annual showcase will return to campus in April 2027. 

Read the full story about the 2026 event by Brian Miller on the AppalachianToday website.

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!