Honors Wednesday Memo: Volume 10, Issue 9, Wednesday, October 14, 2026
edited by Melanie Kershaw
Hello Honors College students,
We've made it to midterms! As you navigate exams, project deadlines, and everything else that comes with this point in the semester, don't forget to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and lean on your peers and mentors for support.
Taking breaks is also important. Consider catching live music at the Schaefer Center as part of NPR's Mountain Stage or seeing The Real Inspector Hound at Valborg Theatre. If you find joy in mathematics like I do, head to Friday's Math Colloquium.
Whatever helps you recharge, make time to step away and clear your head. A little distance can help you return with new energy.Remember to be kind to yourself,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email.
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.
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.
Education Abroad Fair
Stop by the Education Abroad Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the Student Union. Attendees will learn about semester and summer education abroad opportunities. Connect with representatives from programs around the world, including students that have studied at or are from partner universities. Contact the Office of International Programs for more information.
2027 Blakemore Foundation Asian Language & Kingfisher Fellowships
Apply for the 2027 Blakemore Asian Language Fellowships and Kingfisher Art History Language Fellowships by Saturday, Dec. 30 at 11:00 pm. Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded to graduating seniors, college graduates, graduate students, and young/mid-career professionals for advanced study of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, or Vietnamese in Asia. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree by the start of the grant in Fall 2027. Fellowships last 9 to 12 months and provide a stipend for living, travel, study expenses and full tuition for study. Applications include letters of recommendations and a current transcript. Contact the Blakemore Foundation for more information.
Conversations to Remember: Volunteer Opportunity
Give back to senior citizens in need with Conversations to Remember, a nonprofit dedicated towards combating loneliness and isolation felt by seniors, including those living with dementia. Join teams of 2-3 college students for weekly hour-long virtual visits. Students are expected to volunteer for at least 16 weeks. This year-round program accepts new volunteers weekly in various areas, including social media and outreach. Register to volunteer or contact student volunteer Joshua Sandoval with any questions.
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Spring 2027 Internship
Apply by Oct. 15 for a Spring 2027 internship with the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. Part- and full-time internships are available, with remote, hybrid and onsite options. Interns gain practical museum skills and program development experience in a variety of traditional and non-traditional museum careers. Weekly stipends of up to $450 for part-time internships and up to $850 for full-time internships will be awarded. Housing is not included. Contact the NMAAHC for more information.
Stay in the Know
Math Sciences Colloquium: Prediction or Forecasting Machines
Join the Department of Mathematical Sciences for “Prediction or Forecasting Machines,” the latest installment of the department’s Colloquia series, on Friday, Oct. 16 at 3:00 pm in Edwin Duncan Hall 216. Enjoy a free lecture by Dr. Edsel Peña, professor and chair of the Department of Statistics at the University of South Carolina. Students from all majors are welcome.
Mountain Stage with Host Kathy Mattea
Visit the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts for Mountain Stage on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 pm. Be part of the live radio audience as Mountain Stage records an episode for NPR Music with host Kathy Mattea. This long-running program features performances by emerging and established bluegrass artists. Tickets are $20 for students and $39 for general admission. Contact the Schaefer Center for more information.
Valborg Theatre: The Real Inspector Hound
Join the Department of Theatre and Dance for “The Real Inspector Hound,” a comedic murder mystery performed in the Valborg Theatre from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17 at 7:00 pm and Oct. 18 at 2:00 pm. This play within a play showcases the typical tropes of a murder mystery, featuring love interests who battle with tennis rackets and an investigator who gets mistaken for a dog. Tickets are $10 for students.
Spring 2027 Study Abroad Course: Socially Responsible Leadership in Scotland
Explore Scotland from May 9 to May 20 with the Leadership Studies and Higher Education faculty-led program education abroad program (FLEAP), “Socially Responsible Leadership in Scotland.” Led by Megan Kasper and Dr. Stacey Garrett, this interdisciplinary program offers a unique blend of classroom learning, site visits, and hands-on experiences. Total program cost is $3,770, not including airfare. Scholarships are available through the Office of International Programs. Apply by Tuesday, Dec. 1. Contact Dr. Garrett with any questions.
Veterinary Technology Speaker Series
Take part in free Zoom events offered by the Veterinary Technology Program. Join Vet Tech Wellness and Engagement Coordinator Lisa Wiborg for “Understanding Pet Loss & Bereavement: Honoring the Bond” on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 10:00 am. Participants will also explore the role of empathy and communication in supporting grieving clients, while recognizing the emotional impact that repeated exposure to loss can have on veterinary professionals. Students from all majors are welcome.
In the Honors Spotlight
App State Honors College Group Attends North Carolina Honors Association Conference
Five Appalachian State University Honors College students presented their ongoing research at the North Carolina Honors Association (NCHA) annual conference, held Sept. 18-19 at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Accompanied by Dr. Vicky Klima, associate vice provost, and Dr. Heather Waldroup, associate director, the students shared findings aligned with the conference theme, “Honors for a Complex World: Leadership, Citizenship, and Engagement.”
Student presentations covered a wide range of disciplines, including Raoul Eno's study on AI chatbots and customer satisfaction; Ruth Hart's biology research on Eastern bluebirds; Ella Lowman's examination of the environmental and social impacts of nail art; Kayla Scimeca's history of working women’s music in the southeastern textile industry; and Hope Spurlock's comparative analysis of sex education across the United States, Sweden, and Japan.
The conference provided students a platform to showcase in-progress research, network with colleagues across the state, and gain insights into diverse academic approaches. The Honors College provided scholarship support for each student's registration and travel expenses.
Read the full story on the Honors College 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!