edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 8, Issue 29
April 30, 2025
Dear Honors students,
Congratulations on reaching the last day of class! This is a moment to celebrate — not only the work you’ve completed, but also the growth, resilience, and creativity you’ve shown throughout the year. As you prepare for final exams, remember to be kind to yourselves. Rest is an essential part of learning. Reach out for support when needed, and know that your Honors community is here for you. We’d love for you to join us at our Honors “Scoop into Summer” event. Stop by the Honors Library on Thursday between 2 and 4 for some celebratory ice cream [RSVP here].
Thank you for everything you’ve brought to our Honors College this year. I’m proud of you and excited for all that’s to come.
With gratitude,
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.
Appalachian Honors Association Reading Day Ice Cream Social
The Appalachian Honors Association is hosting their final event of the semester, “Scoop Into Summer,” an ice cream party on Thursday, May 1 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Honors College Library. Join us to celebrate the end of the school year and the start of the summer. Click here to RSVP. For questions, contact Kelsie Peck or Kaylie Morales.
Full-Ride Study Abroad Opportunity to attend Nobel Prize Week in Sweden
Education First, in partnership with The Forum on Education Abroad and the Nobel Prize Museum, is offering a scholarship to support a virtual, credit-bearing course co-designed and taught by Dr. David Wick, from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. This course runs alongside the Fall 2025 semester and culminates in an immersive, in-person week in Sweden during the Nobel Prize ceremonies. Students will travel to Sweden from December 5 – 12 2025. The deadline to apply is May 11. For more information and to apply, click here.
Graduate Admissions is Accepting Applications for Summer and Fall 2025
The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies is accepting applications for graduate admissions for summer and fall 2025 semesters. With more than 80 graduate degree or certificate programs there are many opportunities to advance your education, learn new skills and elevate your career. The deadline for non-degree applications for Summer 2025 semester is Tuesday, May 13, and Fall 2025 semester is Monday, August 4. Degree/certificate application deadlines vary for the Fall 2025 semester. Click here to apply for non-degree applications. For questions, contact the Graduate Admissions.
Summer Volunteers Needed for App Builds A Home and Watauga Habitat for Humanity
App Builds A Home and Watauga Habitat for Humanity need summer volunteers to help build the Lee family home. No construction experience needed. Individuals or groups can sign up for a half or full volunteer day. Click here to sign up to volunteer. For questions, contact Misty Mayfield.
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.”
Gaea Polanik
May 1, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 329
Presenting “Disability and Pleasure: Rethinking Sexual Education”
Ryan Stukes
May 1, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 187
Presenting “Marketing Africana Music: A Historical and Strategic Approach to Promoting Cultural Events in the High Country”
Christian Hart
May 1, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Appalachian Hall, Room 162
Presenting “Case Study: Implications and Uses of Artificial Intelligence Agents in Beekeeping Technology”
Emma Goodson
May 1, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Peacock Hall, Room 3019
Presenting “Empowerment through Education: Investigating the Influence of Financial Literacy Courses on High School Student’s Financial Decision-Making”
Caleb Divelbiss
May 1, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Peacock Hall, Room 2013
Presenting “A Toilet Paper Travesty: How COVID-19 Impacted Supply Chains Around the World”
Lanna Bruce
May 2, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Rankin Science South 210B
Presenting “Use of a Matrigel Invasion Assay to Investigate the Impact of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus on Invadopodia – competent Src -transformed NIH3T3 Fibroblasts”
Annabelle Morgan
May 2, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Leon Levine Hall, Room 221 and on Zoom
Presenting “A Content Analysis of Narcan Distribution Programs for College Students Among Public Universities in the United States”
Jing Russell
May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Presenting “An Examination of a Swimming Program and Interval-Based Training as a Combined Exercise and Cognitive Training Strategy to Improve Executive Function Abilities in Children”
Juan Neri
May 5, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Anne Belk Hall, Room 228
Presenting “Coming Home: An Oral History of Latino Community-Building in Boone, N.C.”
Parker Rosenblatt
May 6, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Garwood Hall, Room 307
Presenting “Hydrolysis of Galactose-α-1,3-galactose in Pork by Lactic Acid Bacteria”
Beka Davis
May 8, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rankin Science South, Room 210
Presenting “Investigating the Ecophysiological Mechanisms Allowing the C4 Invasive Grass Microstegium vimineum to Thrive in the Understory of a Pine Stand”
Stay in the Know:
Craft Enrichment Spring Sale
The Michael R. Patricelli Craft Enrichment Program is having their Spring Craft Sale on Thursday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Katherine Harper Hall Lobby. There will be unique, handmade items for sale created by students and instructors.
Quality Enhancement Plan End of the Year Meeting and Reception
The Quality Enhancement Plan is hosting an end of year meeting and reception on Thursday, May 1 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Parkway Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union. This event is to celebrate the progress on the Pathways to Resilience QEP’s climate literacy goals, preview plans for the next academic year and connect with climate concerned students, faculty, and staff.
Resounding Resistance: Folk Infused Classical Music
The Hayes School of Music and the High Country Humanities are presenting a public listening workshop, followed by a free concert on Sunday, May 4 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Rosen Concert Hall. This event is the culmination of a three-part series titled “Bridging the Divide between Classical Music and Folk Traditions: Béla Bartók’s Legacy,” supported by a grant from North Carolina Humanities. The event is free and open to the public. For questions, contact Dr. Darci Gardner.
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.
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.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College student Olivia Priest spends Spring 2024 semester in Japan
Photo features Olivia Priest. Photo submitted.
Olivia Priest spent her Spring 2024 semester abroad studying at Kansai Gaidai University – Asian Studies Program in Hirakata, Japan partially funded by the Honors College International Education Scholarship. Priest entered Appalachian State University and the Honors College in the Fall 2022 and plans to graduate in May 2026. She pursues majors in East Asian languages, literature, and culture, with a concentration in Japanese, and minors in communications and English. Priest is working towards University Honors as well as departmental honors in the Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures. Priest explained that her experience thus far in the Honors College has taught her discipline, which helped her better adjust to these demanding classes on top of the new experience of living abroad alone.
Click here to read the story by Em Acuña about Olivia Priest and her experience in Hirakata, Japan.