edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 9, Issue 5
September 17, 2025
Dear Honors College students,
This week's Spotlight Story takes us to Nepal, where students explored new cultures and perspectives, gaining deeper insight into themselves and the world. If you've studied abroad, I encourage you to share your journey at the 14th Annual Global Symposium during International Education Week. Thinking about your own adventure? Chat with your Honors mentor about your goals, how study abroad can support them, and funding possibilities. Visit the Office of International Programs for Study Abroad 101 to learn about program logistics and options, including faculty-led programs, a full semester abroad, or an international internship. No matter which study abroad path you take, your experience will open doors to new perspectives, meaningful connections, and personal growth. Stay tuned as we spotlight other Honors College faculty-led trips in the coming weeks.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Free LSAT Workshop
TestMasters is presenting a free Law School Admission Test (LSAT) on Sunday, September 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. The workshop will be conducted by Anthony Meni, a veteran TestMasters instructor who has taught over two thousand LSAT students in live class settings. Attendees will be challenged with a series of difficult LSAT questions and learn the effective methods for tackling them. Visit the TestMasters Workshop Registration to RSVP.
The LEAD Workshop Series
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership is inviting students to join their new LEAD Workshop series throughout the semester. The next workshop in this series Values Exploration will consider the role of values awareness and values alignment in leadership contexts. Students can attend this workshop on either Tuesday, September 23, Wednesday, September 24, or Thursday, September 25 in Three Top Mountain, PSU 169. Visit the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership’s Engage for the event times and to RSVP to one of the workshops. For questions contact Kaleigh Del Greco.
14th Annual Global Symposium
The Office of International Programs invites submission proposals from faculty, staff, and students for the 14th Annual Global Symposium by Monday, October 20. The Global Symposium will take place on Wednesday, November 19 in the Plemmons Student Union. This is an opportunity to share global work in a professional platform and to connect with a community that believes strongly in the power and impact of global learning and international education. Visit the Global Symposium website to submit a proposal.
NCHC 60th Anniversary Logo Contest
The National Collegiate Honors Council is celebrating their 60th anniversary by inviting students to design a commemorative logo by Friday, October 17. The top three designs will win cash prizes and the winning logo will be unveiled at the 60th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, November 9 at the annual meetings in San Diego, California. Visit the National Collegiate Honors Council’s logo contest webpage to learn more and to submit your designs.
Sanctuary Literary Arts Journal Submissions Open
Submissions are now open for the Southern Regional Honors Council’s 2026 Sanctuary Literary Arts Journal. Sanctuary publishes original and previously unpublished works in poetry, non-fiction, and visual arts. They are also looking to expand their editorial board; this is an excellent opportunity for students to be a part of the inner workings of a publication and creative team. Visit the SRHC Sanctuary Literary Arts website to submit to the journal, or fill out the Sanctuary Editorial Board Interest Form.
Stay in the Know:
Appalachian Symphony Band and Appalachian Wind Ensemble
The Hayes School of Music is presenting the Appalachian Symphony Band and Appalachian Wind Ensemble on Friday, September 19 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Schaefer Center and live-streamed on Zoom. This performance presents a program of works in homage to history, culture, and adventure from around the world. Admission is free. Visit the Hayes School of Music’s performance calendar for full information.
Faculty Chamber Concert
The Hayes School of Music is presenting their Faculty Chamber Concert on Tuesday, September 23 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rosen Concert Hall in the Schaefer Center and live-streamed on Zoom. Admission is free. Visit the Hayes School of Music’s performance calendar for full information.
Cooking with Purpose
The Office of Sustainability and the College of Arts and Sciences, with support from the Quality Enhancement Plan, is hosting a Cooking with Purpose on Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The goal of this program is to increase awareness about how to prepare healthy food using sustainable ingredients and techniques and to showcase ingredients that are inexpensive and available on campus at the Mountaineer Food Hub. To register, fill out this RSVP form.
Fall 2025 Climate Resilience Forum
The Pathways to Resilience QEP invites students to their Fall 2025 Climate Resilience Forum on Thursday, September 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Parkway Ballroom on the Plemmons Student Union. This event is used to mark the anniversary of Hurricane Helene through an exploration of climate and community resilience.
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series
The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series will host authors and writers to discuss their books throughout the fall semester. The next event will feature author Taylor Brown on Thursday, September 25 for a Craft Talk at 3:30 p.m. and a reading at 6 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union 201B. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. A book sale and signing will follow each reading.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College students and faculty travel to Nepal, trek to Everest Base Camp and even climb to 18,500 feet on Kala Patthar
Photo features Gracelyn Donahue at the top of Kala Patthar with Mount Everest (left) and Nuptse (right) in the background. Photo submitted by Gracelyn Donahue.
Dr. Baker Perry, former professor in the Department of Geography and Planning and senior research associate in App State’s Research Institute for Environment, Energy, & Economics, Dr. Ram Poudel, assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Technology & the Built Environment, and Dr. Bhuwan Thapa, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Planning led Honors College students to Mount Everest, Nepal, May 24 through June 12, 2024. Students on this and other Honors faculty-led programs apply a holistic approach to global engagement that encompasses intellectual, cultural, and social dimensions as they explore, discover, learn, and grow with others.
Read the full spotlight story to learn more about this Honors College faculty-led study abroad experience in Nepal.
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!