edited by Kistler Hunt
Volume 7, Issue 27
April 10, 2024
Dear Honors students,
Today’s spotlight story features Amanda Bruckstein, recipient of the 2023-2024 George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship. The Garrett scholarship provides as much as $2,000 in support to students in the Honors College who are conducting biomedical research. The Garrett Scholarship is sponsored by a generous donor who recognizes your commitment and drive and wants to support your holistic development and engagement beyond yourself. We are fortunate to have other donor-supported scholarships in the Honors College with this same purpose — to provide experiences leading to discovery, innovation, and growth — including the Honors International Education Scholarship and the Dr. Dane Ward Endowed Honors Research Scholarship. Additionally, Chancellor Everts and the division of academic affairs generously support Honors College research, scholarship, and creative activities through Honors College Special Research Grants. This funding exists to support you! Click here for full information or reach out to your academic mentor for advice about applying.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Interim Dean Vicky is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Global Accelerator Program
App State is launching its Global Accelerator program for this upcoming summer. This innovative online global experiential program provides students of diverse backgrounds with the incredible opportunity to acquire global competencies and valuable work experience, all in an accessible and flexible format. Global Accelerator also offers students the chance to receive six credit hours that will go toward their elective requirement. An information session regarding the program will be held on April 12 at 1:00 p.m. For more information, click here.
Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies Student Academic Award
The Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies (CJHPS) is accepting applications for its Student Academic Award in Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace (JHP) Studies. The award honors a student in a JHP cross-listed class or a student who has completed exceptional research or artistic endeavors directly related to JHP Studies. Winners of the award will receive a cash prize. Faculty nominations and self-nominations can be made. To apply, submit a work for consideration to Amy Hudnall and the CJPHS with a brief description attached. Applications are due April 15 at noon. For any questions, contact CJPHS.
Wellness and Prevention Services: Project Condom
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Wellness and Prevention Services will be hosting events throughout the month of April. Their next event, “Project Condom,” will feature a variety of groups modeling fashion pieces to promote awareness around safer sexual health. The event will take place on April 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. For more information, click here.
Give Back App Food Drive
The Office of Sustainability at App State will be hosting their food drive, titled “Give Back App” for the food pantries on campus. Donations such as pasta, cereal, soup, canned foods, microwavable foods, granola bars, and more are greatly appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at the I.G. Greer Food Pantry, Garwood Hall Food Pantry, Office of Sustainability, the Plemmons Student Union in the International Hallway, and the Student Health Services Building. For more information, contact Nicole Sommerdorf.
Upward Bound Research Leaders
Upward Bound, a federally funded college prep summer program for ninth and tenth grade students, is now accepting applications for research leaders. Research leaders will participate in faculty-supported, individualized research through activities completed throughout the course of the program and serve as mentors to students in the program. Current undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty are eligible to apply. Applications are due by the end of April. For more information, contact Aaron Gersonde.
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.”
Kasey Clift
April 11, 11:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 232
Presenting “Competency in Dysphagia Management: An Analysis of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate-Level Dysphagia Course Syllabi in North Carolina”
Bella Carpenter
April 12, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 187
Presenting “Illuminating the Nexus between Climate Finance and Climate Equity through the Operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund”
Sarah Barnard
April 15, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Rankin Science South, Room 210B
Presenting “Characterizing metagenomic interactions between the freshwater sponge Racekiela ryderi and Flavobacterium in Western North Carolina”
Maggie Slade
April 15, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 162
Presenting “Land Relations and Implications for Indigenous Health and Food Sovereignty”
Emma Denton
April 16, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 229
Presenting “Risky Play in Young Children: A Concept Analysis”
Jenna Tullis
April 16, 2;00 – 3:00 p.m.
Rankin Science South, Room 210
Presenting “Characterizing Edaphic Factors of Plethodon Habitats as Drivers of Abundance”
Stay in the Know:
Earth Month Programming
Throughout the month of April, the Office of Sustainability will host events to celebrate Earth Month! Get involved in any of the following campus and community sustainability efforts: sort waste into compost and recycling after the baseball game on April 13; a day of service at the App State farm for National Gardening Day on April 14; and the free food pantry and clothing store on Sanford Mall on April 16. For full information on all Earth Month activities, click here.
Sustainable Energy Speaker Series Presentation
The next installment in the Spring 2024 Sustainable Energy Speaker Series will be held on April 15 at 4:00 p.m. The presentation will feature Rob Leonard, who will present Phius Passive Buildings: How to apply the science and certification process in the field. The event will take place in Room 124A of the Reich College of Education Building. For more information, click here.
Greenbriar International Film Festival Presentation
The Department of English and University Libraries are hosting the Greenbriar International Film Festival throughout the Spring 2024 semester. The final installment of the festival will feature the film “The Farewell” on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. In the film, a young girl navigates her family’s handling of her grandmother’s terminal illness. For more information, click here.
Appalachian Folk Magic Presentation
The Office of Diversity and University Libraries will be hosting author H. Byron Ballard to present about their experience writing books surrounding magic, witchcraft, and Appalachia. Ballard’s presentation will explore the aforementioned themes, as well as the importance of water for healing. The presentation will be held on April 17 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information and to register, click here.
Appalachian Summer Festival Ticket Sales
The Appalachian Summer Festival will be taking place from June 29 – July 27. The festival will feature a variety of dance groups, an orchestra, and musical groups, with a final performance of country music artist Brad Paisley at Kidd Brewer Stadium on July 27. Tickets for the Festival go on sale on April 17 at 10:00 a.m. For more information, click here.
In the Honors Spotlight
Amanda Bruckstein awarded 2023-2024 George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship
Photo features Amanda Bruckstein. Photo submitted.
Honors College junior Amanda Bruckstein has been awarded the 2023-2024 George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship. Bruckstein majors in nutrition and foods with a minor in exercise science. She is working with Dr. Caroline Smith, associate professor in the Department of Public Health and Exercise Science, as both her research mentor and thesis director. Reflecting on winning the scholarship, Bruckstein stated, “I am so grateful for the George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship, which is making my Honors thesis project possible.” In her thesis, “The Effects of Hyperhydration and Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Aerobically Trained Women,” Bruckstein aims to examine if there are differences in performance across the menstrual cycle and with individuals who are adequately hydrated (euhydrated) and slightly overhydrated (hyperhydrated). She notes that, "Historically, women have been underrepresented in research studies. I am really excited to conduct a study involving female subjects and I am hopeful that the data will be beneficial to female athletes.”
Click here to read more about the Garrett Scholarship and Bruckstein’s award.
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!