edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 16
January 17, 2024
Welcome back, Honors students!
I hope you are having a wonderful start to your spring semester despite the not-so-spring-like weather. Your return to campus has brought energy and cheer to App Hall and has brightened my mood. Watching several of you throw snowballs on the Bailey made me smile with joy yesterday. Thank you! I'm glad we are sharing James Holden's story with you this week. James is our Honors College Graduate Assistant. I'm most grateful for James' work to support our students' international education. He reminds us that living and learning abroad builds empathy and flexibility. He explains, "you get more and more curious. As you are exposed to more perspectives and experiences, you come to recognize their value." When you study abroad, you must engage beyond yourself in collaboration with others. This type of holistic development is key to our mission in the Honors College. The connection that James points out is the reason we have an international education requirement. The experience of learning in another cultural environment will open you up to new ways of being and I'm excited for you to have this opportunity. Don't forget we have three remaining chances to learn abroad with the Honors College this summer: Climate Change and Water in Nepal Himalaya; Human Rights and Peacebuilding in Ireland & Northern Ireland 2024; and Sustainability & Education in Indigenous Guatemala. Reach out to the faculty leaders for more information, or to your Honors College mentor with questions about fitting one of these courses into your plans.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Vanguard Information Session and Application Deadline
Current Honors students who are in their second to sixth semesters in the Honors College are invited to apply to the Honors College Vanguard. Vanguard members work closely with Honors College staff members, and especially with fellow Honors College students to represent the Honors College, explain what the College is and what it does, help recruit students and parents, and help improve the College. Several members of Vanguard are hosting an information session on January 18 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Honors College Library to help students learn more about Vanguard. Applications for Vanguard are due January 21. To apply to Vanguard, click here. For questions about the Vanguard information session, contact Honors Vanguard Leadership Board president Matthew Mair. For any questions about the application process, contact Dr. Angela Mead.
Sanctuary Journal Submissions
Sanctuary Literary Magazine, which is the official journal of the Southern Regional Honors Council, is accepting submissions until January 31. Sanctuary accepts creative works of all mediums including poetry, prose, art, and photography. Students can submit up to four works for consideration. For more information and to apply to Sanctuary, click here.
Portland Art Museum Tidal Shift Award
The Portland Museum of Art in Portland, Maine, is now accepting applications for its Tidal Shift Award. The Tidal Shift Award goes to young artists no older than 22 who create artwork depicting art that contemplates an issue and/or a solution to a crisis facing their community resulting from climate change. Participants can use any medium in their work. Cash prizes will be awarded for three individuals. The deadline to apply is January 31. For more information and to apply, click here.
United Arts Council Internship
The United Arts Council is accepting applications for its paid summer internship, IDEAL (Internship for Diverse and Emerging Arts Leaders). IDEAL places students from underrepresented backgrounds in arts administration with arts organizations in Wake County to guide them in their personal and professional growth throughout the summer. The internship will take place from June 3 to August 2. The deadline to apply is February 1. For more information about the internship program, click here. For any questions, contact Kelly Schrader.
Pearson Share Your Story Contest
Pearson is hosting its second Share Your Story Contest, which gives students the chance to win a monetary prize if chosen as a winner. To enter the competition, students can film a short video or provide a series of photos detailing their day, and tag and follow Pearson’s social media accounts. Students can enter the competition until February 12. For more information and to enter the competition, click here.
Stay in the Know:
Yoga and Lunch on the Mountain
The Art of Living Retreat Center will host a free yoga and lunch weekly on Sundays. The class takes place from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m., with the opportunity to explore the Center’s campus afterward. Registration must be made at least 24 hours in advance. For more information and to register, click here.
Leadership & Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Offices of Intercultural Student Affairs and Community-Engaged Leadership will jointly host a program, “Leadership & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” on January 24th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. The program will include a discussion of how Dr. King led and inspired the Civil Rights Movement as well as provide tangible skills to incorporate his leadership into participant’s own lives. Registration is required. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
Interactive Seminar on Jewish Diaspora Paintings
Appalachian State University's High Country Humanities — with support from North Carolina Humanities — is pleased to present "Marc Chagall and Shtetl Life: Interactive Public Seminar on Jewish Diaspora Paintings" on Thursday, January 25, 2024. As a part of the event, App State faculty will offer a brief history on the work of Marc Chagall and discuss his work of the shtetl (“little town”) life and the Jewish diaspora. The event will take place from 5:45 – 7:00 p.m. in Room 1102 of the Turchin Center. For more information, click here.
Sustainable Energy Speaker Series Presentation
The first installment in the Spring 2024 Sustainable Energy Speaker Series will be held on January 30 at 4:00 p.m. The presentation will feature Mike Kapp, project manager in planning, design, and construction at App State, who will present the Passive House Institute US (Phius) building standard and how it leads to the future of zero energy in construction. The event will take place in Room 415 of the Plemmons Student Union. For more information, 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 first presentation of the Spring 2024 semester will focus on immigrant-affected communities and how to build diversity internationally. The virtual event will take place on February 7 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Registration is required. For more information and to register, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College welcomes Graduate Assistant James Holden
Photo features Holden with his dog, Pogo. Photo submitted.
The Honors College is proud to introduce our 2023-24 graduate assistant (GA), James Holden. Holden is originally from Boone, and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill with Bachelors of Arts in Chinese and history and a minor in linguistics. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Higher Education program in the Reich College of Education with an intended graduation in May of 2025. Upon graduation, Holden aspires to work in international education affairs in a higher education setting. Holden’s duties as the Honors College GA vary widely. He has opportunities to work in many different aspects of Honors education including administrative tasks, such as recording Honors contracts and thesis applications, advising the Appalachian Honors Association, creating promotional materials, and much more.
Click here to read more about how Holden hopes to improve Honors College international education experiences through access to information and resources about opportunities and providing support to students as they apply to study abroad.
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!