Honors Wednesday Memo
Opportunities and Information for Honors Students
edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 6, Issue 15
December 7, 2022
A note from Honors Wednesday Memo editor, Kistler Hunt:
Dear Honors students and friends of Honors,
Seeing as today is reading day, I wanted to share some words of encouragement with you all. We’re in the final stretches of the semester, and you can do it! The amount of work you have put in over the past 15 weeks has been phenomenal and extraordinary; use that motivation to have a wonderful end to your semester. In just a matter of days, the semester will be over, and you’ll be enjoying a relaxing break!
This is also the last memo of the year, so I send my best wishes for a restful holiday break. I hope that it’s full of all the lovely things that come with this time of year.
Best of luck on your end-of-semester projects and exams! I have the utmost confidence that you will do great on them! From everybody in the Honors College, have an awesome holiday break!
Kind regards,
Kistler Hunt
Top photo features Honors College senior and student worker Sophie Cole, who successfully defended her University and departmental Honors thesis on December 2. Her thesis, “I Call Bullshit: An Investigation of Situational Factors Affecting Bullshit Receptivity,” was directed by Dr. Andrew Smith, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, and Dr. Thomas Ellis, professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, served as second reader. Many of you know Sophie from her role as the Honors College 2021 Student Orientation Undergraduate Leader (SOUL) for summer Orientation, and her continued support of her fellow Honors students. Sophie is graduating this December with her Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in religious studies. She has accepted a full-time position as a Student Community Specialist with the Honors College at Purdue University. Congratulations, Sophie! Photo submitted.
Remember to send photos of your thesis defense to honors@appstate.edu!
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dean Jeff is happy to help you apply; send him an email at vahlbuschjb@appstate.edu.
Undergraduate Honors Symposium Student Paper Submissions
The 23rd annual Undergraduate Honors Symposium will be hosted at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro on March 17, 2023. The Honors Symposium offers outstanding undergraduates the opportunity to participate in a hybrid academic conference with concurrent sessions. Students are welcome to submit a paper for consideration in the Symposium. Papers must be research-oriented, but can be from any academic discipline. Papers must be submitted by December 19 at 11:55 p.m. For more information about the Symposium, click here. To learn more about paper applications and to apply, click here.
SDAP College Life Fellows
The Scholars with Diverse Abilities (SDAP) program is seeking applications for its College Life Fellows program for the 2023 – 2024 academic year. SDAP is an inclusive post-secondary program that provides an opportunity for students with an intellectual disability to audit college classes, live in a dorm, and participate in campus social activities with their same-aged peers. The College Life Fellows typically live in the dorm suites with the scholars and provide support around college life during the evenings and weekends. Fellows are paid on an hourly basis. Juniors and seniors are preferred. For more information, contact Dr. Susan Hedges.
Non Degree-Seeking Graduate School Applications
The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies is now accepting applications for their non degree programs in Spring 2023. The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies offers courses and certificates designed to improve one’s skillset and make them stand out in the workplace. The deadline for applications is December 26. For more information about this program and to apply, click here. For any questions, contact Graduate Admissions.
Blakemore Freeman Fellowship Applications
The Blakemore Foundation is now accepting applications for its Blakemore Freeman fellowship for 2023. The Fellowship allows students to study a language at an advanced level for an entire year in an Asian country. The fellowships are awarded to graduating seniors, college graduates, graduate students and young/mid-career professionals who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, who are already at or near an advanced level in the language and ready to advance to professional fluency. The deadline to submit an application is December 30. To learn more about the fellowship, click here. To submit an application, click here.
Clean Energy and Battery Storage Job Opportunity
Alumni are encouraged to apply to be a project manager for the STEPS4Growth research grant. Project managers will work in renewable energy management, primarily in clean energy and battery storage techniques. This position will last for 4 years, and remote work is possible. To learn more about the position and to apply, click here.
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 attend a defense this semester, please write to honors@appstate.edu.
Alex Castillo
December 7, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Presenting “A Difference in Perspective: How Differing Nationalities Affect Hispanic Voters’ Partisanship, Ideology, and Political Participation”
Elliot Froese
December 9, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Presenting “Unfinished Objects”
Stay in the Know:
Library Cares Finals Week Activities
Throughout finals week, Library Cares will be offering activities to help students de-stress. Activities include meditation sessions, food, therapy dogs, craft making, and much more. Library Cares will be in Belk Library from December 8 – 9, and December 11 – 14. To view the schedule of events throughout finals week, click here.
Banff Mountain Film Festival
The 26th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival will be returning to Boone from March 30 – April 1. Hosted by University Recreation, the film festival will highlight mountain adventure, culture, and environment. Tickets are currently on sale through the Schaefer Center. To learn more about the festival, click here. To buy tickets, click here.
Peace Corps Application Workshop
Recruiters from the Peace Corps will be hosting application workshops for their Peace Corps application throughout December. Students selected for the Peace Corps can volunteer in the following areas: agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development. The next application workshops will be held remotely on December 17 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. and December 20 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. The deadline to apply for the Peace Corps is January 1, 2023. To learn more about the Peace Corps, click here. To register for an application workshop, click here.
A Year on Antisemitism Presentation
The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies; Hillel; AEPi and Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting events throughout the academic year as a part of their “A Year on Antisemitism: What It Is and Why We Care” presentation series. The upcoming presentation will be held on February 15, 2023, featuring Rachel Lang in her presentation, “Antisemitism and its Manifestations.” Events are free and open to the public. To learn more about this presentation series, click here.
HON 2515/3515: Cuba Libre
The Honors College is offering various options for studying abroad in the summer of 2023. In one titled “Cuba Libre,” students will receive credit HON 2515 and HON 3515 in Summer Session 1 for travel to Cuba from June 5 to June 17. The first course will explore Cuban history and politics, with an emphasis on the origins of the Cuban Revolution; students will learn why Cuba and the U.S. have a long history of acrimony. The second course will immerse students in the dance and music of Cuba; students will learn that what we think of as “Cuban” music and dance has deep roots in Africa. You must enroll in both courses for a total of six hours. For more information, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College students awarded Diversity Scholarships
Photo features the 2022-2023 Diversity Scholars (left to right): Leah Kaifan Bailey, Elyse Blackwell, Francisca Campos Galeas, Melissa Leite Jeffris, Jaiden Knotts, Jocelyne Lemus, Leone Martin, Anokhi Thambugala, Stevie Watson, and Samantha Weaver. Photo by Chase Reynolds.
Honors College students Melissa Jeffries, Samantha Weaver, and Stevie Watson have been awarded the App State Diversity Scholars Program Scholarship for 2022-23. Diversity Scholars, who are recognized for their academic excellence, are challenged to promote and embrace diversity of thought, belief and community — both on and off campus. Diversity Scholars also engage in leadership workshops, service learning, international experiences, and mentorship opportunities.
To learn more about all of the Diversity Scholars, read the story here by Jessica Stump.
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!