Honors Wednesday Memo
Opportunities and Information for Honors Students
edited by Lakin Stevens
Volume 4, Issue 14
November 18, 2020
Message from Dean Jeff Vahlbusch
Dear Honors students, friends, colleagues,
I never thought I would find comfort in the mundane phrase "business as usual," but comfort there surely is: students, faculty, and staff at Appalachian, in and outside the Honors College, have been working hard, and are now digging in and working even harder, to bring this trying and challenging semester to a successful end while striving to keep themselves, each other, and their families healthy and safe.
The Oxford English Dictionary notes that "business as usual" is a phrase "used to indicate [that] things will proceed normally despite difficulties or disturbances."
Not much is proceeding normally these days, but so many of our fellow Mountaineers are working to keep things as normal as possible. As we move toward the Thanksgiving holiday, this is another good reason for gratitude.
Yours,
Jeff
A view of Cone Hall from a study room in the Honors College on a rainy October day. Photo submitted by Honors student Sarah Barnard. Remember to submit any of your favorite photos to honors@appstate.edu
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu.
Fulbright Canada Post-COVID Challenge
The Fulbright Canada Post-COVID Challenge is an open call for youth in Canada and the United States to provide creative ideas that aim to address critical social, economic, technological, and public health challenges in the post-COVID world. Applications are being sought from diverse youth with unique ideas that help to tackle the key challenges we are facing in the post-COVID world. Applications are being accepted until November 30th and winners will receive a monetary prize. Learn more about eligibility, awards and benefits, and the program here.
Behind-the-Scenes Look at Museum Work
The North Carolina Museum of Art presents “What is Museum Work? Photography and Digital Assets Management.” Presenter Chris Ciccone is a photographer at the North Carolina Museum of Art where he documents the collections for a variety of end uses and employs several types of digital imaging technologies. Find details here to join in November 23rd at 1:30 pm.
New Year’s Card Competition
Are you in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, either through you major or minor? If so, submit your original work that reflects Appalachian State University or the Blue Ridge Region for the college New Year’s card. The winning submission will receive $250 honorarium and credit line on the card. Submit by November 19th here.
CRC Ally Training Course
The Appalachian Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) is offering an online ally training course for students, staff, and faculty. The course covers what addiction is, different process additions and eating concerns, various recovery pathways, how to be an ally for individuals in recovery, and more. Self-enroll here and direct any questions here.
Bioarchaeology Field School
The 2021 bioarchaeology field school Medieval Cemetery Funerary Excavation is a program that provides a unique opportunity to conduct extensive hands-on training and research on a preserved medieval cemetery with in situ remains dating from the 11th to 18th century. This summer program runs in June and July. Learn more here and contact Dr. Andre Gonciar with any questions.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Dean Jeff urges, “Support your fellow Honors College students and faculty by attending Honors thesis defenses! You'll marvel, learn, and grow. And each defense you attend, you'll make your own easier.”
To receive an invitation to a thesis defense this semester, please write to honors@appstate.edu.
Toria Davenport
Presenting “ADHA Traits, Emotion Dysregulation, and Romantic Relationship Satisfaction in College Students” on November 20th at 12:30 pm.
Stay in the Know:
8th Annual Suicide Remembrance Night
Wellness and Prevention Service’s 8th Annual Suicide Remembrance Night will feature student and staff speakers, time for reflection, make-at-home activities and information about mental health resources. Join in November 18th at 7:00 pm and learn more here.
Reasons for Hope with Dr. Jane Goodall
World-renowned ethologist, conservationist, and humanitarian Dr. Jane Goodall will be participating in a live, interactive Zoom webinar titled “Reasons for Hope: A Virtual Discussion with Dr. Jane Goodall.” Dr. Goodall’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. To attend November 18th at 1:00 pm for free, register here.
THINGS: A Global Conversation
The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Art presents “THINGS: A Global Conversation,” an online program that features curators, makers, and other experts from around the world in conversation with people and objects from the Old Salem and MESDA collection. Join via zoom with the upcoming conversations on indigenous cultures November 18th at 7:30 pm and on neutrality December 2nd at 7:30 pm. More details here.
Queering the Outdoors
The Henderson Springs LGBT Center invites everyone to participate in their monthly outdoor adventures! The next upcoming event is at Crabtree falls November 21st. To sign up and for more information, click here.
Turchin Center Visits Reimagined
The Turchin Center has online and in-person options available in the Spring 2021 semester. The team at the Turchin Center has combined video walkthroughs of each exhibition and information about the exhibitions into an interactive PDF titled “Connections: Exhibition Guides.” Explore virtually here and contact Christy Chenausky, Director of Arts Education and Outreach, with any questions.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors faculty Dr. Howard Neufeld featured in the Washington Post
Photo of Dr. Howard Neufeld by Marie Freeman.
Dr. Howard Neufeld, Honors faculty member and professor in the Department of Biology, was featured in the Oct. 17, 2020 story, “Human-driven climate change is changing the colors of fall foliage, scientists say” by Kat Long in the Washington Post. Dr. Neufeld’s research is focused on physiological plant ecology, plant water relations, ecosystem ecology, and air pollution effects on plants. In this news article, Dr. Neufeld discusses the negative impact of foreign pests and pathogens on our landscapes. Dr. Neufeld is offering a Spring 2021 semester junior level Honors Seminar titled The Future of Human Civilization: Population Growth, Climate Change, and the Prospects for Sustainability, which is directly focused on the topic of this news article.
For the full story, read here.
Have news to share? Submissions can be made by emailing honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday will be considered for the following week’s issue.
To stay in the know, learn about opportunities, and take part in the Honors community, find us below!