edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 9, Issue 8
October 8, 2025
Dear Honors students,
One of the best things about being in the Honors College is the opportunity to wander outside your major and see how ideas connect in surprising ways. This year’s Morgan Lecture is a perfect example—Dr. Sylvester James Gates Jr. will show how art helped solve a complex problem in quantum gravity. It’s a reminder that creativity and discovery often happen at the intersections. As you read through this week’s Memo, look for an opportunity to explore something totally new—you never know what might spark.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
HON Faculty-Led Education Abroad (FLEAP) to Zambia: African Climate Literacy and Development
Dr. Twange Kasoma, assistant professor in the Department of Communication, and Dr. Matthew Ogwu, assistant professor in the Department of Sustainable Development, will lead students to Lusaka, Zambia, from June 11 to June 26, 2026. This program, African Climate Literacy and Development, will be an interdisciplinary, research-driven, and globally relevant exploration of one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Students will earn 6 credit hours for HON 2517 and HON 3516. For questions, contact Dr. Twange Kasoma or Dr. Matthew Ogwu. Visit the Honors Seminar Descriptions to read more about all upcoming Spring and Summer 2026 Honors College seminars.
Office of International Programs: Photo Contest
The Office of International Programs’ encourages all students, faculty and staff to submit to their annual International Photo Contest by Friday, October 17. The winners will be announced at the Global Leadership Awards Luncheon at the end of the Global Symposium on Wednesday, November 19, and will receive a print of their photo. Top photos are showcased during International Education Week, Friday, November 17 through Tuesday, November 21. Visit the Office of International Programs to learn more. For questions, contact James Holden.
Panorama 2026 Applications Open
The Department of Communication is accepting applications for Panorama, a TED Talk style event featuring student speakers, hosts, and organizations, until Monday, October 20. This event will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Speakers are encouraged to talk about their most passionate/knowledgeable areas of interest. Students do not need to be in the Department of Communication to participate. Students can apply to be speakers, hosts, promoters, or event planners. Any position will allow students to earn one to three hours of elective credit for COM 2115: Speech Activity. Visit the linked Google Form to apply. For questions, contact Dr. Valerie Wieskamp.
Call for Submissions to The Peel
Submissions are open now until Saturday, November 1 for the 18th volume of The Peel Review, App State’s student-run literary and arts magazine. The Peel accepts previously unpublished poetry, prose, sound, or visual artworks. Visit The Peel’s website to learn more about submission guidelines. For questions, contact Ember Jones.
The LEAD Workshop Series
The Office of Community-Engaged Leadership invites students to join their LEAD Workshop series throughout the semester. The next workshop in this series focuses on Emotionally-Intelligent Leadership; students can attend this workshop on either Monday, October 20 at 2 p.m., Tuesday, October 21 at 1 p.m., or Wednesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. at Three Top Mountain, PSU 169. Visit the Office of Community-Engages Leadership’s Engage for the event times and to RSVP to one of the workshops. For questions, contact Kaleigh Del Greco.
Stay in the Know:
Morgan Science Lecture
The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce Dr. Sylvester James Gates Jr., a Regents professor in Science at the University of Maryland, will give the 2025 Morgan Science Lecture on Tuesday, October 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at I.G. Greer Auditorium. This presentation will explore the intersection of art and mathematics in the pursuit of quantum gravity. This event is free and open to the public. Visit the College of Arts and Sciences website to learn more.
Volunteer Opportunity Halloween Campus Cleanup
The Office of Sustainability and Energy Management will be hosting a Halloween Campus Cleanup on Thursday, October 30 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout campus. There will be prizes given to students who make creative, sustainable costumes using materials they already own. Visit this link for more information about where to check in and how to prepare.
No Cost Virtual AMHFA Training
App Health Care is offering a free virtual Mental Health First Aid Training. The first day of training will be Thursday, November 13 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the second day of training will be held on Friday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants must attend both training days to receive full certification. Visit the linked Google Form to register.
Aging and the Family Faculty Symposium
Join UNC Global Affairs, the UNC Center for Aging and Health, and the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine on Tuesday, October 14 through Thursday, October 16 for a multi-disciplinary symposium on “Aging and the Family.” This symposium will explore the global challenge of supporting aging populations and their families through the exchange of ideas, culturally informed care practices, and academic insight. Visit the UNC Global Affairs website to register and to learn more about the schedule, panelists and presenters.
Sustainability Film Series “The Cigarette Surfboard”
The Office of Sustainability and Energy Management, University Forum Lecture Series, QEP Pathways to Resilience, Department of Communication, and App Docs are hosting a film screening with a Q&A of “The Cigarette Surfboard,” on Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. at Greenbriar Theater in the Plemmons Student Union. This documentary focuses on creative solutions to environmental issues and climate change, while offering hope and student empowerment through individual action toward global protection. Visit the App State calendar to learn more.
In the Honors Spotlight
Honors College students travel to study sustainability and education in indigenous Guatemala
Photo features Honors College students, faculty, and members from the Copal AA community in front of the Copal AA sign at the entrance of their community. Photo submitted by Rachel Rhoad.
Dr. Greg McClure, professor in the Department of Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum, and Dr. Christopher Van Loan, professor in the Department of Child Development, Literacy and Special Education led Honors College students to Coban, Antigua, and Copal AA La Esperanza, Guatemala, June 2 – 13, 2024. In this Faculty-led education abroad program (FLEAP), students engaged with the Copal AA community to collaboratively learn about education and sustainability. Their activities included: meeting with the local town council members to learn about their customs, comparing cultures with middle school students at New Dawn Middle School, trips along the Chixoy River, and more.
Read the full spotlight story to learn more about this Honors College FLEAP experience.