edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 8, Issue 28
April 23, 2025
Dear Honors students,
As the semester winds down, I hope you’re finding moments to pause, recharge, and take care of yourselves—rest is just as important as your hard work. In this week’s Memo, we’re excited to introduce Avery Martin, one of our new Honors College student office assistants. When Avery speaks with prospective students, she often shares how she chose her Honors first-year seminar “Education in Poetry”—not because she loved poetry, but because she didn’t, and wanted to challenge herself. That experience ended up sparking a newfound appreciation for the subject, and it’s a perfect example of how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to unexpected growth. I hope your own seminar courses are offering you the same kind of inspiration, and that you’re finding joy in learning, connecting, and discovering new interests.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
HWM Assistant Editor Call for Applications
The Honors College invites applications for an assistant editor of the Honors Wednesday Memo, to begin September 2025. The person hired will work approximately 5 hours a week and be paid $13 per hour. The assistant editor will be supervised by Dr. Garrett McDowell, and will work closely with the HWM editors and Dr. Vicky Klima, associate vice provost of the Honors College. Tasks will primarily include sourcing news, writing spotlight stories, gathering opportunities, editing, proofreading, and working with our social media accounts. For more information, a full job description, and instructions on how to apply, click here. Applications should be submitted to Dr. Vicky Klima no later than Friday, August 29. For any questions related to the position, contact Dr. Garrett McDowell.
Become a 2025-2026 Peer Mentor
The Honors College Peer Mentor program encourages current Honors students to sign up to be peer mentors for the 2025-2026 school year by Wednesday, April 30. Peer mentors are current Honors students who will be paired with an incoming Honors student with a similar major or minor to help them adjust to life in the Honors College. To complete the mentor interest form, click here. For questions, contact Sierra Focazio.
Fulbright Writing Workshop
The Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships is offering a writing workshop for Fulbright applications on Thursday, May 8 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Plemmons Student Union, Room 413 and on Zoom. This workshop will help students build their essay writing skills to create a strong Fulbright application. To register for the Zoom link, click here. For questions, contact Dana Carney-Nedelman.
Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
Conversations to Remember, a nonprofit organization, is reaching out for volunteers to connect with senior citizens. The organization is dedicated towards combating loneliness and isolation felt by senior citizens, including those living with dementia. Students will volunteer throughout the week to chat with a senior citizen they have been matched with and develop a friendship. Click here to learn more and to register to volunteer. For questions, contact Conversations to Remember.
Appalachian Energy Summit Poster Competition
The Appalachian Energy Center invites students to submit an abstract for their environmental, sustainability, or energy-related research or project to be a part of the Appalachian Energy Summit. The Energy Summit will be held June 4-6, 2025, and is a free event for all attendees. The highest-ranking posters are eligible to earn cash prizes. The deadline to apply is May 2. For more information and to apply, click here.
Upcoming Thesis Defenses:
Dr. Klima 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.”
Jessica Floyd
April 24, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 255
Presenting “Examining Risk of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among University Marching Band Musicians”
Gracie Landrum
April 24, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Walker Hall, Room 138
Presenting “Redefining Individualism: The Use of Propaganda in 2024 Presidential Election Mailers”
Lilly Coggins
April 24, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 186
Presenting “Understanding and Addressing Picky Eating in Children: The Role of Parenting, Socioeconomic Factors, and Sustainable Interventions”
Drew Ellis
April 24, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 186
Presenting “Analysis of Fungal Endophytes from Shining Firmoss (Huperzia Iucidula) in Different Seasons; Isolation, Characterization, and Next-Generation Sequencing”
Siena Bannister
April 24, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sanford Hall, Room 410
Presenting “Wuthering Heights and the Withering Effects of Domesticity and Racism in the Gothic Novel”
Juliana Maurer
April 25, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 186 and virtual option, access video link here
Presenting “Imagining Safety: Speculative Design as Abolitionist Praxis”
Kathryn Long
April 25, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 230
Presenting “Considering the Lived Experience of a Stroke Survivor: Advice for Future Speech-Language Pathologists”
Kennedi Ratcliffe
April 25, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Peacock Hall, Room 4020
Presenting “Assessing the Effects of Hurricanes on Housing Markets: A Study of North Carolina and Virgina Coastal Counties”
Anna Haydel
April 25, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Beasley Media Complex, Room 225
Presenting “Rising from the Storm: Community Resilience After Hurricane Helene”
Stephen Smith
April 25, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Smith Wright Hall, Room 104
Presenting “Exploring the Connection between Self-esteem and Identity Outness in Queer College Students”
Mia Fraticelli
April 25, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 187
Presenting “Benefits of compliance in PT for athletes with ACL tears”
Stacy Thorton
April 25, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 228
Presenting “Learning and Anatomical Representation: How Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Students Draw the Head and Neck”
Abigail Metcalf
April 25, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Anne Belk Hall, Room 351-A
Presenting “Shifting Alliances: The Evolution of U.S.-Turkish Relations”
Brianna Pressey
April 25, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Smith Wright Hall, Room 104
Presenting “How Ableist Microaggressions on Instagram Impact the Mental Health of Disabled College Students”
Kaylee Greene
April 25, 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Anne Belk Hall, Room 232
Presenting “Managing Displacement: Jordan’s Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis”
Amanda Bruckstein
April 28, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 218
Presenting “The Effects of Hyperhydration and Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Endurance Trained Women”
Anna Palmer
April 28, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Presenting “Creating A Wikipedia Page for the Construct of Fat Talk”
Ava Read
April 28, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Anne Belk, Room 228
Presenting “From Inspiration to Erasure: Indigenous Women’s Roles in the Contradictions of First-Wave Feminism”
Julianna Rogers
April 28, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Anne Belk, Room 351-A
Presenting “The Male Loneliness Empire: How Disillusioned Young Men Are Radicalized By Their Favorite Media”
Melia Carswell
April 28, 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 186
Presenting “Associations Between Need Frustration, ADHD Traits, and Alcohol Related Outcomes”
Claire Tuenker
April 28, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 221
Presenting “Framing the Future: The Interplay of Hope, Media, and Human Experience”
Theresia Bennett
April 28, 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Smith Wright Hall, Room 204
Presenting “The power of puppy eyes: How baby schema in dogs influences stress perception”
Anika Rao
April 29, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 229
Presenting “Evaluating the Effects of Phytoecdysteroids on Endurance and Resistance Training in Mice”
Alex Griffa
April 29, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Peacock Hall, Room 2013, Blue Ridge Energy Board Room
Presenting “ESG language used in annual 10-K reports and the corresponding effects on financial performance”
Maggie Vaughn
April 30, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 162
Presenting “The Organic Synthesis of Dental Adhesives”
Anna Nall
April 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Anne Belk Hall, Room 315F
Presenting “How Actions Speak: Exploring Connections Between Political Rhetoric, Domestic Terrorism, and Nonviolent Civil Resistance”
Gracie Giacoletto
April 30, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 186
Presenting “Facilitating the Synthesis of a Hexapeptide, GHRP-6, Using Nanoreactors”
Sydney Traugott
April 30, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 161 and virtual option, access Zoom link here
Presenting “Systematic Review of the Impact of Nutrition on Anxiety in U.S. and Canadian Women”
Stay in the Know:
Climate Stories Showcase and Reception
Climate Stories Collaborative is hosting their Climate Stories Showcase from April 22 to May 1 in the Plemmons Student Union, Room 112, with a reception on Thursday, April 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Climate Stories showcase is an exhibition featuring works of artistic expression related to climate change by students and faculty. For more information, contact climatestories@appstate.edu.
“Navigating GenAI’s Ethical Quandaries in a Time of Climate Crisis,” with Dr. Lydia Wilkes
Join the Writing Across the Curriculum Program and the University Writing Center in a discussion navigating generative artificial intelligence’s ethical quandaries in a time of climate crisis on Friday, April 25 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the University Writing Center, second floor of the Belk Library. Dr. Lydia Wilkes, assistant professor and director of core composition English at Auburn College of Liberal Arts, will give an interactive talk about the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence and our responsibilities to our climate. To register for this event, click here.
Spring Commencement Volunteers Needed
The Office of University Events is looking for volunteers for the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremonies, which will take place on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10. Volunteers will help guide students through the ceremony and greet and assist families and guests of graduating students. Interested volunteers must sign up before Monday, May 5. To sign up to volunteer at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, click here. To sign up to volunteer at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, click here. To sign up to volunteer at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, click here. For more information, contact Andrea Elaver.
Clean Waterways of the High-Country Volunteer Survey Request
Clean Waterways of the High Country are looking for students interested in receiving course credits for environmental volunteer work in Watauga County. To fill out the interest form, click here. For questions, contact Jennifer Maxwell.
An Appalachian Summer
Tickets are now on sale for “An Appalachian Summer,” App State’s annual summer arts celebration, which runs from Saturday, June 28 to Saturday, July 26. The lineup includes music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.
In the Honors Spotlight
Introducing Avery Martin, Honors College front office student worker
Photo features Avery Martin. Photo submitted.
Avery Martin has worked in the Honors College as a front office student worker since January of 2025. She joined App State and the Honors College in the Fall 2023 semester and plans to graduate in May 2027. She is double majoring in anthropology and applied and public history. Martin is a member of the Honors Vanguard, Book Club, Anthropology Club, and the new chapter of the March For Our Lives, exemplifying her “engagement beyond herself, across disciplinary boundaries, and in collaboration with others.” The front office student workers serve as the front face of the Honors College. In her new position, Martin has seen the importance of communication and hopes to strengthen her interpersonal communication skills. “Any field that any person goes into will revolve around communication and collaboration. Because of the type of job position I have, I am constantly replying to emails and answering phone calls,” said Martin.
To learn more about Martin’s role in the Honors College as a front office student worker, click here.