edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 18
January 31, 2024
Dear Honors students,
When I woke up this past Saturday, I was anxious. Our Chancellor’s Scholars interview day was beginning at 9:15 am and I felt responsible for making it run smoothly. While we faced some small challenges, I do not think the interviewees even noticed them thanks to the great work of our faculty interview teams, current Chancellor’s Scholar volunteers, and Zoom room coordinator, Ms. Tara Shumate. The day was a success, not because of anything I did, but because the team worked together to support each other. Their cooperative spirit helped each interviewee see that our college is a place where students, faculty, and staff collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to support each other’s holistic development. Today's feature story highlights our December Honors College graduation. In preparation for the ceremony, I reached out to the graduates to learn more of their stories. As I read their responses, I was struck by all that you do to support and to celebrate each other. Thank you! Please note a new opportunity in today's Memo to support your Honors College community as the student director for its Peer Mentor program.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Freeman Asia Scholarship
Applications are open for the Freeman Asia Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Scholarship provides students with demonstrated financial need the opportunity to study abroad in Eastern or Southeastern Asia in order to strengthen the bond between the United States and Asian cultures. Applications will open February 1 and will close in late March. For more information and to apply, click here. To set up an appointment with the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships to discuss this opportunity further, click here.
Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program
Applications for the Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program are now open. The Marian Drane Graham Scholars Program is an eight-week summer program offered through the UNC system designed to provide students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain a better understanding of issues facing public higher education. Rising juniors and seniors can apply for the program, which will involve working in a state government agency. Students will receive a stipend of $3,000 and housing as a part of the program. The deadline to apply is February 20. In addition to submitting an application, students must submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts, and a reference letter to Kimberly Mitchell. To submit an application, click here. For any questions, contact Kimberly Mitchell.
National Collegiate Honors Council Journal Editors
The National Collegiate Honors Council’s (NCHC) is now accepting associate editor applications for its annual Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA). UReCA strives to further the exchange of scientific and creative work between undergraduate students by providing a platform where students can contribute to their academic community. Students from all academic disciplines are able to apply. Editors are responsible for the selection of creative work and research articles that will appear on the website. Additionally, editors provide feedback and revision suggestions. The deadline to apply is March 1. To submit an application, click here. For any questions, contact the Editor-in-Chief of UReCA.
Aisthesis Journal Submissions
Aisthesis, a student-run honors journal published through the University of Minnesota – Duluth, is now accepting submissions for its upcoming journal volume. Aisthesis seeks to promote the work of students enrolled in university honors programs. Students can submit academic and creative works from any discipline. The deadline for submissions is March 4. To learn more about the submission process and submit a work, click here. For any questions, contact the Aisthesis Editorial Board.
Honors Peer Mentor Director Applications
The Honors College is seeking a student director for its Peer Mentor program. The Director will be responsible for recruiting continuing Honors students to serve as peer mentors, encouraging first year students to participate in the program as mentees, pairing mentors and mentees together for the academic year, and planning events for mentors and mentees. Ideally, a new director would be in place by March 8. To express interest as well as to learn more about the position, contact Interim Dean Vicky.
Stay in the Know:
Honors Night at the Movies
The Appalachian Honors Association (AHA!) will be hosting a movie night on February 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the Greenbriar Theater. They will feature the 2023 Best Picture movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and will have popcorn and soda to share. To RSVP to the event, click here. For any questions, contact Anna Carroll.
Music Humanities Community Conversation Series
The Hayes School of Music will be hosting their “Music Humanities Community Conversation Series” throughout the spring semester. The series will engage current topics in music humanities. The first installment in the series will be led by Dr. Nancy Love, who will present “Land and Song: Indigenous Reflections on Sovereign Community” on February 1 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information about the event, click here.
Hayes School of Music Faculty Recital
Dr. Ellie Wee, Hayes School of Music associate professor of cello, and Dr. Barry Salwen, a faculty member at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, will be performing in a joint recital on February 4 at 2:00 p.m. in the Rosen Concert Hall. The recital will feature pieces from Beethoven, Chen Yi, and Cesar Franck. For more information, click here.
Hayes School of Music Guest Performance: Rosa Incaica
The Hayes School of Music will host music duo Rosa Incaica (a name alluding to the sacred stone of the Incas) on February 5 from 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. at the Rosen Concert Hall. Rosa Incaica is the confluence of the work of soprano Annelise Skovmand and guitarist Pablo González Jazey and is dedicated to building cross-cultural understanding through music. 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 next presentation in the series, titled “Voices of Appalachia,” will be held virtually on March 26 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information and to register for the event, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College celebrates December 2023 graduates
Photo features Interim Dean Klima at the fall 2023 commencement ceremony. Photo by Sydney McDonald.
On December 14th, 2023, the Honors College hosted the Honors College graduation ceremony in the Solarium of the Plemmons Student Union. The ceremony was a celebration of Honors College students’ cumulative work in completing their University Honors requirements, including their individual Honors theses. A record-breaking 18 fall Honors College graduates gathered with family, friends, mentors, and other academic associates to laugh, reminisce, and ultimately celebrate.
To learn more about the fall 2023 graduation ceremony, click here to read the story by Sydney McDonald.
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!