Honors Wednesday Memo
Opportunities and Information for Honors Students
edited by Lakin Stevens
Volume 5, Issue 8
October 6, 2021
Dear all,
I'm writing today, at midterm time in Fall 2021—our 4th COVID-impacted semester—to praise our students, faculty, staff, and administrators across the university and in the Honors College for all their great work in the midst of difficult and sometimes scary challenges, and for their extraordinary resilience, creativity, and solidarity over the past two years and now.
YES, life and learning are still hard for all of us, even though, and also because, we are mostly back living and learning face-to-face, or close. Let's honor the difficulties we all are facing everyday, and honor all the ways we are finding to meet and overcome those difficulties. And let's remember that our colleagues (our students, faculty, staff, administrators again) may be coping with things and situations and anxieties we can't see or know. Be gentler even than normally with each other, and always seek ways to help.
And on campus, in Boone, and over Fall Break, let's please wear our masks. Let's mask up for each other, and for each other's loved ones, friends, and neighbors.
Sending thanks and admiration always,
Jeff
Fall is officially here greeting us with colder weather, colorful leaves, and a host of fall activities. Photo above features a snapshot of the Appalachian Trail at Roan Mountain, Tennessee. Photo by HWM editor Lakin Stevens.
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu.
University of Delaware’s Winterthur Program in American Material Culture Fall Visit Days
Are you a rising senior interested in a master’s degree in material culture? The University of Delaware’s Winterthur Program in American Material Culture provides an interdisciplinary study of diverse ideas, contexts, and theories. The program is focused on the material world of America in historical and global contexts and addresses the complicated lives of objects, the way in which objects fostered human relationships, and more. For their entire 22-month course of study, all enrolled M.A. students receive full funding including a generous annual stipend of $22,000 for living expenses and free tuition. Attend program visit days to learn more on October 8th, October 22nd, October 29th, and November 19th. To register and learn more click here.
Free Education Series on Our Energy Future
NC WARN, a member-based nonprofit tackling the climate crisis and other hazards posed by electricity generation, is hosting a six part webinar series titled “Pulling Back the Curtain: Who’s Charting Our Energy Future?” In this series, participants will learn about the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC), how we can create a just system, why our current policies are incentivizing utilities to hang onto fossil fuels, and much more. Upcoming next on October 12th is “The Regulatory Process in NC” and October 26th is “Why Has Energy Justice Taken so Long?” Register and learn more here.
Join the Honors College Homecoming Parade
Join the Honors College in the 2021 Homecoming Parade on October 29th at 4:30 pm. Come dressed in your Appalachian State attire, bring your friend, and celebrate the Homecoming weekend with the Honors College. The parade beings at 6:00 pm near Galileo’s and ends at Peacock Hall. Contact the Honors College graduate assistant Sophia Lang here with any questions. Fill out this form here to sign up.
Graduate and Professional Schools Fair
The Career Development Center is sponsoring Appalachian State University’s Graduate and Professional School Fair on October 13th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union. Learn about the graduate and professional school options available from representatives from colleges, universities, and professional schools across the country. Register here to attend.
Call for Proposals for Appalachian Global Symposium
The annual Appalachian Global Symposium will take place during International Education Week on November 17th. Presentation proposals about all forms of global research or activities are welcome and are currently being accepted from students, faculty, and staff. The symposium highlights global education activities by providing a platform for sharing the recent activities that contribute to the university’s global mission. Submission deadline is October 25th and find more details here.
Stay in the Know:
Turchin Center ArtTALK
The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts will be hosting ArtTALK with Wendy Babcox on “Every Olive Tree in the Garden of Gethsemane.” Babcox will share the artistic practice and insight behind her exhibition at the Turchin Center, a suite of photogravure images of each of the twenty-three olive trees in the garden. Attend on October 6th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the Turchin Center Lecture Hall. Click here for more information.
An Evening with Sarah Jones
The Schaefer Center Presents Series will host Sarah Jones with a livestream option on October 7th at 7:00 pm. “An Evening with Sarah Jones” presents Jones, a Tony Award-winning performer, writer, comedian, and activist known for her multi-character, one-person shows, including Broadway hit “Bridge & Tunnel,” originally produced by Meryl Streep, and the critically-acclaimed show “Sell/Buy/Date.” Find tickets and more information here.
Open-Use Mental Health Guide for Undocumented Students
BestColleges.com curated an open-use mental health guide for undocumented students. The stressors associated with undocumented status negatively impact undocumented immigrants’ mental health. The guide covers how undocumented status impacts mental health, recommendations for managing mental health, and much more. View it here.
Spooky Duke Race Costume March and Contest
The Spooky Duke is a certified 5K and 10K race with a free costume march and contest where children, adults, and pets can show off their unique costumes. All proceeds benefit Parent to Parent Family Support Network-High Country, who provide information and support for families who have a premature infant, a child with a disability or chronic illness, or a family who has experienced the death of their child. Join the race on October 16th. Pre-register now for a lower price and learn more here.
Hub for Autism and Neurodiversity Educational Series
The Hub for Autism and Neurodiversity (HANd) is offering an education series free to all. Upcoming in October is “Daily Transitions and Change: Why It’s Hard, What Makes It Easier” on October 14th at 3:30 pm, “Autism 101” on October 18th at 5:00 pm, and “Visual Supports Workshop” on October 28th at 3:30 pm. Register here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College Faculty Member Dr. Howard Neufeld Provides Fall Color Reports
Photo above features Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University. Photo by Marie Freeman.
Honors College faculty member expert, Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor in the Department of Biology, also known as the Fall Color Guy, is providing weekly Fall Color Reports. For the 10th year in a row, Dr. Neufeld is teaming with WataugaOnline.com to share his research and provide information to the public as the colors change. Dr. Neufeld has shared, “Usually, fall colors peak around Oct 11-14 in the Boone area; sooner by a few days up to a week at higher elevations, later at lower ones. Nice colors can stick around for a week or more, although the peak usually comes and goes in just a few days, weather permitting (no high winds for example)”.
Read the story here and read updates by WataugaOnline.com here.
Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu. Any content received by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday 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!