edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 8, Issue 30
May 28, 2025
Dear Honors Students,
I hope you are all having a rejuvenating summer break so far!
I want to congratulate the class of 2025 graduates. You have all worked so hard. Give yourself a pat on the back; you did it!
At our Honors College graduation ceremony on May 8, 2025, it was gratifying to see graduating students walk across the stage, receive their metals, and reflect on their time in the Honors College and App State. Graduates, whatever you plan to do in the future, remember that the Honors College isn’t just here for your undergraduate career; it is here for your entire life. The community you built, and the leadership and collaboration skills you learned will serve you for a lifetime in any field you pursue. You can offer guidance and mentorship to future undergraduate students similar to what you received in your undergraduate career. We hope that by using these skills in any part of your life you will continue to grow into the best version of yourself!
Stay connected with the Honors College on our LinkedIn(link is external) and Instagram(link is external) page!
Best wishes,
Kaylie Morales
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu(link sends e-mail)
NMAAHC Fall 2025 Internship
The National Museum of African American History and Culture(link is external) Internship Program is offering internships during the Fall 2025 semester for undergraduate and graduate students to work closely with professionals and scholars in the museum field. The museum provides a dynamic learning environment and access to supportive mentors that help interns reach their educational and professional goals. Click here(link is external) to learn more about these internship opportunities.
Summer Volunteers Needed for App Builds A Home and Watauga Habitat for Humanity
App Builds A Home(link is external) and Watauga Habitat for Humanity(link is external) 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(link is external) to sign up to volunteer. For questions, contact Misty Mayfield(link sends e-mail).
Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
Conversations to Remember(link is external), a nonprofit organization, seeks volunteers to virtually 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(link is external) to learn more and to register to volunteer. For questions, contact Cassie Spencer(link sends e-mail).
Stay in the Know:
Appalachian Summer
The Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources is presenting Appalachian Summer, an annual summer arts celebration from June 28 to July 26. This celebration of performing and visual arts is held in venues across the university campus, and features music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming. Click here(link is external) to view the complete schedule and for more information. Click here(link is external) to purchase tickets.
King Street Market & Watauga County Farmers Market
The King Street Farmers Market(link is external) and the Watauga County Farmers Market(link is external) are back in season. The King Street Farmers Market is open every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May through October at 126 Poplar Grove Connector. The Watauga County Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April through November located temporarily at App State’s State Farm Lot, 197 Dale Street.
Music in the Valle 2025
The Valle Crucis Community Park(link is external) is hosting multiple live performances during the summer every Friday night at 6 p.m. Performances vary and include Appalachian banjo, Appalachian rock, folk music and much more. Click here(link is external) to view the artist lineup and schedule.
In the Honors Spotlight
The Honors College shines in App States’ 2025 Awards of Distinction
Photos above are from App State’s 2025 Awards of Distinction ceremony held on April 24. Top photo features J.P. Neri (second to left) and Kathryn Long (fourth from the left) with other recipients of the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion. Bottom left photo features Kaylee Greene (third from the right) with other recipients of the Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award. Bottom right photo features Chancellor Heather Norris with Dr. Vicky Klima receiving the Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award. Photos by Chase Reynolds.
On April 24, Dr. Vicky Klima, associate vice provost of the Honors College, received the Harvey R. Durham Outstanding Freshman Advocate Award(link is external), this award is given to a full-time App State employee who has contributed to improving the first-year experience at App State. A student nominator who was in Dr. Klima’s most recent honors first-year seminar said, “Whether it was academic guidance, encouragement during difficult times or simply being a reassuring presence, she always made herself available to support her students.”
Alongside Dr. Klima, three Honors College students also received awards. Kathryn Long ’25 and J.P. Neri ’25 received the W.H. Plemmons Leadership Medallion(link is external) in recognition of their commitment to students, faculty, and staff by providing leadership that enriches the quality of student life and education at App State. Kaylee Greene ’25 received the Ronny L. Brooks Leadership Award(link is external) recognizing students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership.
Click here(link is external) to read more about App State’s 2025 Awards of Distinction from Appalachian Today(link is external).
Have announcements to share? Submissions can be made to honors@appstate.edu(link sends e-mail). 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!