edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 13
November 15, 2023
Dear Honors students,
Viktoriia Kovtun joined the Honors College as our Business Officer in July. She brings her great skill and her equally great compassion to our office each day. In her story, Viktoriia reminds us that compassion is often born from the type of knowledge you gain by engaging beyond yourself. She explains, “our world is beautiful but at the same time we are living during harsh times. It is almost the year 2024 but we are still witnessing genocidal wars, we see millions of kids dying from malnutrition, abuse and neglect; we still have pandemics, uncured diseases, and the climate crisis. We still see countries where girls are given to men without their consent, countries where women cannot vote, study, or be who they are — they are not even considered equal human beings. We are still witnessing racism and discrimination. I am from Ukraine, where people are giving their lives right now for freedom. Freedom is the most essential part of human lives that makes it impossible to live without. Many people don’t have freedom, while in so many places it is taken for granted. I can go on and on, but you all know this without me. There is only one way to make our planet a better place – to have more educated people. Knowledge gives you compassion, knowledge develops your empathy, knowledge gives you the ability to question everything and to search for the truth, knowledge gives you the ability to see what is broken, but most importantly, knowledge gives you an ability to make good changes and accept them. Regardless of anything — I still believe in humanity. I believe that our cooperation, mutual respect, support and kindness will help us to go through the dark times and we will build a world where everyone will feel like home.” Please read Victoria's full story. I predict that, like me, you will find her words inspiring.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Honors International Education Event
Honors College students are invited to attend the Honors International Education Event which will be held on November 16th at 2:00 p.m. This event will feature ways for Honors students to broaden their education internationally, as well as feature available scholarship opportunities. Staff within the Offices of International Education and Development and Nationally Competitive Scholarships will connect students to opportunities that help achieve their international education goals. For more information and any questions, contact James Holden.
NC Research Institutes Information Sessions
The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute and the North Carolina Sea Grant Program will be hosting a joint information session on November 16th from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. In collaboration with the Department of Biology, the Research Institute for Environment, Energy, and Economics (RIEEE), and the Office of Research and Innovation, this information session will discuss opportunities to collaborate with the organizations and fund research covering environmental topics in North Carolina. For more information and any questions, contact RIEEE.
Environmental Governance and Communication Scholarship
Applications for the Environmental Governance and Communication (EG&C) Scholarship are now open. The scholarship provides $9,000 worth of funding to be dispersed over the spring and summer semesters. Selected scholars will have the opportunity to interview policy makers as well as government actors, engage in qualitative research coding and analysis, and develop targeted communication strategies. Students interested in environmental policy, law and institutions, and communication strategies are encouraged to apply. Application review will begin on November 17th. To apply for this scholarship, click here. For any questions, contact Dr. Jay Rickabaugh.
App Builds a Home Letter Writing Campaign
App Builds a Home (ABAH) has launched their 5th annual Give Thanks, Give Back Letter Writing Campaign, where those interested can send emails or physical letters to families, friends, and neighbors to encourage them to donate to ABAH. All donations will be matched to support the building of a home. This campaign will continue until the end of December. For any questions and to learn how to get involved, contact Esme Hernandez.
Opportunities with Hunger and Health Coalition
The Hunger and Health Coalition has many resources available for students. The mission of Hunger and Health Coalition is to relieve poverty and hunger in a compassionate manner for families and individuals who are experiencing economic hardship and food shortages. This assistance may include food, medicine, wood, and referrals to other community resources. Anyone in Watauga County, including App State students, is eligible. Students can also volunteer or intern with Hunger and Health Coalition. For more information, click here.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Interim Dean Vicky urges, “Support your fellow Honors College students and faculty by attending Honors thesis defenses! You'll marvel, learn, and grow. With each defense you attend, you'll make your own easier.”
Colin Maloney
November 16, 11:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Plemmons Student Union, Room 413
Presenting “The Elephant (not) in the room: Are liberal professors to blame for student views?”
Amanda Halbert
November 21, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Rankin Science West, Room 283
Presenting “‘Analyzing Spatiotemporal Trends in the Opioid Overdose Crisis in North Carolina, 2016-2021”
Allison Tippin
November 27, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Reich College of Education, Room 229
Presenting “Beyond the Classroom: Examining Study Abroad’s Role in Shaping Pre-service Teacher’s Thinking About Teaching”
Francine Ollila
November 27, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Reich College of Education, Room 236
Presenting “Translanguaging in Education: Incorporating Home Languages into Classroom Instruction”
Addie Clark
November 29, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 161
Presenting “Deaccessioning Dilemma: Analyzing Institutional Procedures for the Deaccession of the H.G. Jones Inuit Art Collection”
Stay in the Know:
Guatemalan Film Festival Presentation
The Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures will be hosting its Guatemalan Film Festival throughout the fall semester. Featuring a variety of films and documentaries, the Festival’s programming will feature Guatemalan heritage, as well as general information about Guatemala. The final installment will feature the documentary “Los retornados,” which displays the experiences of Indigenous Guatemalans. Registration for the event is required. For more details and to register, click here.
Office of Diversity: We’re Here Series
The Office of Diversity will be bringing back its “We’re Here” series for the 2023-2024 academic year. This series seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of App State’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni who come from underrepresented backgrounds. The final presentation for the Fall 2023 semester will detail the experiences of first-generation college students. The event will take place on November 16th from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
NC Hunger Challenge Event
Appalachian State will be participating in the North Carolina Hunger Challenge on November 17th from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. As a state-wide hunger initiative, various universities and community colleges across North Carolina will participate, which includes a food and personal care items drive, cooking demonstrations, access to wellness services, and much more. All are welcome to make donations to the various food pantries across campus to support the drive. For any questions, contact the Office of Sustainability.
Climate Responses and Response-ability Course Offerings
In the Spring 2024 semester, several academic programs across campus will be offering sections of a course titled Climate Responses and Response-Ability. The course is organized around climate solutions rather than academic disciplines, and includes climate responses based in technology, ecosystem management, markets, governance, and social and cultural transformations. Sections are offered in biology; finance, banking and insurance; geography, physics, sociology, sustainable development, and sustainable technology. For more information, click here.
Sustainable Development Costa Rica Study Abroad Trip
Dr. Rick Rheingans, professor in the Department of Sustainable Development, will be traveling with students to Costa Rica during the Summer of 2024. Dr. Rheingans’ trip will focus on the development and ecology of tropical forests, allowing students to visit four different forest biomes across Costa Rica — cloud, mangrove, rain, and dry forests. Students will also engage in independent research through the La Selva Research Station in the lowlands of Costa Rica. For more information, contact Dr. Rheingans or Julia Showalter.
In the Honors Spotlight
Viktoriia Kovtun shares her story: From Ukraine to Boone, banking to Honors, challenge to success
Photo features (from left to right) Kovtun, Kovtun’s husband Dr. Andrew Polonsky, and their son Ronnie. Photo submitted.
Viktoriia Kovtun joined the Honors College on August 1, 2023, as the business officer and executive assistant to the dean. Kovtun was born and spent most of her life in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Kovtun’s path to Boone and the United States was anything but ordinary and her unique experiences have given her the tools to lead the Honors College — and life — with a strong head and confidence. She says, “App State gave me new perspectives, new opportunities, new me; I love this place with all my heart. This is why I decided that I want to work here. I found this a great opportunity to pay back to the community that was so welcome and supportive during my integration into my new life.” The Honors College is thrilled to welcome Kovtun (’20) to this position and our community. If you have not already, please be sure to introduce yourself to Viktoriia when you are in the Honors College. You can also click here to view Kovtun’s biography and schedule an appointment. Viktoriia, we are grateful you are part of the Honors College community!
To learn about Viktoriia’s story and her path to App State, click here to read more.