edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 3
September 6, 2023
Dear Honors students and all friends of Honors,
I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day holiday and are enjoying this shorter week! As the semester progresses, you’re likely starting to feel your coursework amp up a bit. It’s undoubtedly a little bit stressful. I encourage you, before the weather starts to turn cold, to take time and go outside. Whether that’s riding your bike, going for a walk, or simply just being outside, take in the beauty that surrounds us and all that it offers. Setting aside time and activities for our well-being helps us do better overall. Taking time for wellness, balancing both mind and body, allows you to be fully ready and prepared, to participate in that cool research project, do well on that exam, and further relationships with your classmates and instructors. Outdoor time and activities done today are investments for your future!
Best wishes,
Kistler
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Dane Ward Scholarship Applications
The Honors College is now accepting applications for its Dr. Dane Ward Endowed Honors Research Scholarship. To honor the former dean of University Libraries, the Dane Ward Scholarship supports exceptional research (scholarship and/or creative activity) completed by Honors students. Preferred projects will be those seeking to make a substantial impact by increasing awareness, access to information, or direct support for a community of vulnerable people, with the potential of impacting the world and humanity! Please note: “research” here also includes scholarship and/or creative activity. Click here for more information and the application to apply in consultation with your faculty mentor by September 25 at 11:59 p.m.
Everest Base Camp Faculty-Led Study Abroad
Dr. Baker Perry, professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, will be traveling to Everest Base Camp from May 12 - June 1, 2024. He will be inviting 12 student researchers, six from the Honors College, to join this faculty-led study abroad trip. The group will travel to Nepal to investigate the complexity of the drivers and impacts of climate change on glaciers, ecosystems, water resources, and local communities. In order to be considered for the trip, students must first express interest to Dean Vicky Klima. Dean Vicky will forward her list of interested Honors students to Dr. Perry for his final selection. If interested, contact Dean Vicky by September 28 for full consideration.
Office of Diversity Let’s Get Started Series
The Office of Diversity will be hosting a workshop series – “Let’s Get Started” – throughout the Fall semester. These online workshops are designed to introduce students, faculty, and staff to key concepts in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The first presentation in the series will be held on September 12 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. In this workshop titled “Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” students will examine core concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion, exploring identity, and seeing how power and oppression manifest in society. To learn more and register for the event, click here.
Career Development Center Career Readiness Workshop
The Career Development Center, along with the Business Career Services Office, will be hosting a Career Readiness Workshop on September 13 from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. The workshop will give faculty the resources that share the importance and value of incorporating career readiness into every students' journey, as well as resources through both offices. For more information, contact the Career Development Center.
Appalachian Advocates Program
The Office of Diversity is accepting applications for its Appalachian Advocates program. Appalachian Advocates is a group of dedicated students and staff that promote diversity across campus and connect individuals from underrepresented groups to resources within the University and throughout Boone. The first Appalachian Advocates event will be their fall orientation, held on September 29 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. For more information, click here. To apply, click here.
Stay in the Know:
Wellness and Prevention Mindfulness Classes
The Office of Wellness and Prevention Services will be hosting four, four-week-long mindfulness classes in the fall semester. Taught by certified instructors, these classes give students strategies to help them sleep, focus, and help manage stress. There are varying start dates, with the first starting on September 11 from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m., occurring weekly until October 3. For more information and to register for a class, click here.
James E. Holshouser Award for Excellence Nominations
The University Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the Board of Governors James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for Excellence. This award honors exemplary achievement in university public service and outreach by a faculty member. Students, faculty, and staff are able to submit nominations. Nominations must be submitted by September 8 at 5:00 p.m. For more information and to submit a nomination, click here.
Appalachian Symphony Orchestra Family Concert
The Appalachian Symphony Orchestra will be hosting a family concert on September 10 at 2:00 p.m., which features pieces from Carnival of the Animals and How to Train Your Dragon. Conducted by Dr. Alexandra Dee, director of orchestral activities in the Hayes School of Music, the concert will feature many student soloists. For more information, click here.
Fall Sustainability Film Series Presentation
Throughout the fall semester, the Office of Sustainability will be hosting their annual Fall Sustainability Film Series, highlighting various films under the theme of sustainability. The first event in the series will be on September 27 at 6:00 p.m. The event will feature the film “The Revolution Generation,” which explores the activism and world-changing potential of the largest generation of youth. For more information and to register, click here.
Schaefer Center Presents: Coco Live-to-Film Concert
Throughout the fall semester, the Schaefer Center will be hosting a variety of events that showcase the arts and the beauty of the arts. The first presentation will be the Coco Live-to-Film Concert, which features musicians, composers, and orchestras that will play pieces from the Disney movie Coco. The event will take place on October 19 at 7:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College welcomes assistant Honors Wednesday Memo editor
Photo features McDonald. Photo submitted.
The Honors College is excited to welcome Sydney McDonald to her new role as the assistant editor of the Honors Wednesday Memo (HWM). McDonald has been serving in this new role, primarily responsible for managing social media, since August 15, 2023. McDonald is a sophomore double majoring in psychology and gender, women’s, and sexuality studies. She primarily works with Kistler Hunt, editor of the HWM, and Dr. Garrett McDowell, Honors academic mentor and communications liaison for the Honors College. McDonald’s goals in her new position as assistant editor of the HWM are to build a sense of unity and collegiality within the Honors College. By creating content for the Honors College social media pages and writing news stories for the Honors College, she strives to “bridge the gap between incoming and current Honors students.” By bringing in a variety of perspectives from students across different years, she also aims to “encourage students to share ideas, and perspectives, continuing to lift each other up as we so commonly do here at the Honors College.”
To learn more about McDonald and her role, click here to read more.