Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 10, Issue 10, Wednesday, October 21, 2026

edited by Melanie Kershaw

Dear Honors College students,

Don't rule yourself out before you try. Apply for an Honors research scholarship, even if you’re not sure you’re the “right” candidate. Stop by the University’s Education Career Fair and introduce yourself to a few employers, even if it feels a little intimidating. Bring your thesis to our workshop, even if it’s still a work in progress. This is for students at every stage, from exploring ideas to preparing for a defense, and you’ll find fellow students and our GA, Red, ready to exchange ideas and support you in your process.

Most of the work is deciding to do it. Once you start, it gets easier. You belong in these spaces, and you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.

Best wishes,

Vicky

Upcoming Opportunities

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

 Honors College Virtual Thesis Workshops

Drop in for virtual thesis workshops on Thursday, Oct. 22 and Monday, Nov. 9. Both sessions feature a group workshop (12:00 to 1:00 pm on Oct. 22 and 10:00 to 11:00 am on Nov. 9) and individual thesis support (4:00 to 8:00 pm on Oct. 22 and 12:00 to 4:00 pm on Nov. 9). Contact Honors Graduate Assistant Red Turner with any questions.

Career Development Center’s Education Career Fair

Stop by the Holmes Convocation Center on Friday, Oct. 30 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm for the Education Career Fair. Students in the Reich College of Education are encouraged to connect with the nearly 100 employers in attendance. Professional attire is recommended. Contact Hannah Little for more information.

Honors Research Scholarships

Apply for two Honors College research scholarships by Sunday, Nov. 1 at 11:55 pm. The George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship will award $2,000 to a student interested in biomedical research, and the Dane Ward Endowed Honors Research Scholarship will award $2,100 to a student whose research has a strong social or community impact. Contact Dr. Klima with any questions.

Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader (SOUL) Application

Apply to become a Student Orientation Leader (SOUL) by Friday, Oct. 30. SOULs serve as peer leaders, mentors, and guides for new Mountaineers and their families during Summer Orientation. This paid position offers students the opportunity to strengthen their public speaking and problem-solving skills while mentoring new students and their families. Applications require a resume and responses to reflective questions about leadership and overall interest in the role. Following the application review process, selected candidates will be invited to participate in interviews in early November. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Contact Sarah Garrow with any questions.

Call for Student Submissions: UNCG Honors Symposium 2027

Submit a presentation abstract for the 27th Annual Undergraduate Honors Symposium at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro by Monday, Jan. 4, 2027.  All Honors students and faculty are invited to attend the Symposium on Friday, March 26, 2027. The top three visiting student presenters will receive $500, $300, and $200. There is no registration fee to submit a presentation or to attend the Symposium. Contact the Lloyd International Honors College for more information.

Texas Tech Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Studies: Graduate Program

Explore graduate programs through Texas Tech University. Texas Tech offers masters and doctorate programs in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy (CMFT), and a doctorate program in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies (ADRS). Sign-up to receive additional information or contact Dr. Devin Mills with any questions.

Stay in the Know

Hora de Conversación (Spanish Conversation Hour)

Practice Spanish skills with Hora de Conversación (Spanish Conversation Hour) on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm in Dougherty Hall 113. Hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, this drop-in event is open to students at all Spanish-speaking levels.

Poverty Simulation

Join the Walker College of Business and the Beaver College of Health Sciences on Friday, Oct. 31 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Student Union for a poverty simulation. Students will adopt the identity of a family and work together to navigate one month of living in poverty. This event is open to students of all majors with no fee to attend.

Volunteer with Zero Waste Football

Join the Sustainability and Energy Management team on Friday, Oct. 23 at 9:00 am to clean up after Thursday’s football game. Volunteers will be hand sorting the trash to ensure items go into the correct waste stream. Closed-toed shoes and eye protection are required. Complete the sign up form or contact the Office of Sustainability with any questions.  

From Materials to Manufacturing: North Carolina's High-Technology Future

Learn about North Carolina’s role in innovative manufacturing on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Student Union. Join the Appalachian Energy Center and Vulcan Elements, an NC manufacturer developing advanced rare-earth magnets, for this interdisciplinary forum. Connect with industry professionals and discover new technologies. Students from all majors are welcome.

Mountain Studies Lecture

Join archaeologist Dr. María Nieves Zedeño for the 2026 Mountain Studies Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 pm in the Student Union. Dr. Zedeño will present “Ninaistákis, Home of Thunder: Chief Mountain as a Blackfoot Chronotype,” followed by a Q&A.  This event is free and open to the public with no registration required.

In the Honors Spotlight

Chancellor’s Scholars for 2026-27

Appalachian State University has named the 2026-27 first-year Chancellor’s Scholars, recipients of the university's oldest and most competitive merit-based award. The four-year scholarship covers full institutional costs (including tuition, fees, room, board, and book rental) for high-achieving Honors students. Chancellor’s Scholars also receive fully funded study abroad opportunities, research grants, and personalized academic mentoring.

Learn more about the Chancellor’s Scholarship and the Honors College first-year admission process. Continuing students are encouraged to check out the Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships, and view scholarships for which they are eligible through the Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP).  

View the full story.

2026–27 Chancellor’s Scholars

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!