edited by Kaylie Morales
Volume 9, Issue 9
October 15, 2025
Dear Honors students,
Welcome back from break! I hope you had a relaxing time and are excited to think about what’s ahead, including registration for Spring and Summer 2026 semesters. Our mentors have enjoyed connecting with continuing, declared students, and we’re excited to begin advising first-year and undeclared students this week. Registration opens November 3 for seniors and November 5 for all other Honors students, so now’s the perfect time to make a plan that fits your goals. Check out this week’s announcements for FLEAPs to Ireland and Cuba, research scholarships, and other exciting opportunities—your Honors academic mentor is here to help you find your path, and make the most of your options.
Best wishes,
Vicky
Upcoming Opportunities:
Dr. Klima is happy to help you apply; send her an email at klimavw@appstate.edu
Honors College Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Dr. Belinda Walzer, associate professor in the Department of English, and Dr. Mira Waits, associate professor and assistant chair in the Department of Art, will lead students on an Honors College Faculty-led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) from June 14 – 22, 2026. In this course “Landscapes of Post-Conflict: Study Abroad in Ireland and Northern Ireland,” Honors College students will earn 6 credit hours for HON 3517 and HON 2515. For more information, contact Dr. Walzer or Dr. Waits. Visit the Honors Seminar Descriptions to read more about all upcoming Spring and Summer 2026 Honors College seminars, or go to the Office of International Programs for information on all study abroad opportunities.
Honors College Research Scholarships
Applications are open for two Honors College scholarships that support outstanding research. The George Williams Garrett Memorial Scholarship supports students conducting research in biomedicine, particularly those pursuing careers in medicine or medical research. The Dr. Dane Ward Endowed Honors Research Scholarship supports students conducting exceptional research, scholarship, or creative projects, especially those with potential to benefit vulnerable communities. Applications are due November 1. For questions contact Dr. Vicky Klima.
The Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship
Applications are now open for the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) 10th annual Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship. Only 10 students will be selected for an eight-week, fully funded internship in Dublin, Ireland, to expand their understanding of Irish history and gain real-world work experience. Applications will be accepted until January 9, 2026. For more information and to apply, visit CIEE’s website.
Call for Student Papers: UNCG Honors Symposium 2026
The Lloyd International Honors College at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro invites submissions of outstanding student papers for their 26th Annual Undergraduate Honors Symposium on Friday, March 20, 2026. The submission deadline is Friday, December 19 at 11:45 p.m. For more information and to submit, visit UNCG Honors MS Forms. For questions, contact UNCG Honors College.
Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program (FLEAP) to Cuba
Dr. Joseph Gonzalez, associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, is teaching the 3-credit GLS 3020: Cuba Libra: Perspectives on the Cuban Revolution, in Spring 2026 with an Honors carve-out (.41O) section. Students in this course will have the opportunity to travel to Cuba with Dr. Gonzalez visiting Havana, from May 11 – 19, 2026 by registering for the additional 1-credit GLS 3525: Rhythm and Revolution course Spring 2026 semester. Taking the GLS 3020 honors section and GLS 3532 will earn Honors College students three “Other Honors” credits and fulfill their international education requirements. The deadline for registering is December 1 and the cost is $3380 (all inclusive). Visit the program website for more information. For questions, contact Dr. Gonzalez.
Stay in the Know:
Performances from Hayes School of Music
The Hayes School of Music will be hosting a variety of performances this week. Pianist Andrew Harley and violinist John Fadial will perform on Thursday, October 16 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Schaffel Recital Hall in the Broyhill Music Center. The Appalachian Symphony Band, Jazz Ensemble I, and the Appalachian Wind Ensemble will present their 4th annual Band Spectacular on Friday, October 17 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Schaefer Center to celebrate homecoming. Guest artist, Abby Lannan, will perform tuba as a part of OcTUBAFest on Sunday, October 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Rosen Concert Hall. There will also be a Flute Ensemble Concert on Wednesday, October 22 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall. All performances have free admission.
Free Farmers Market and Howdy Homecoming Hangout
The Office of Community Engaged Leadership and the Office of Sustainability and Energy Management will host a free farmers market, a free clothing store, and a kazoo band competition on Friday, October 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sanford Mall. Visit Campus Activities Engage website for more information and to RSVP.
Schaefer Center for Performing Arts: Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert
Appalachian Arts presents Disney’s Moana Live-to-Film Concert on Sunday, October 19 at 6 p.m. at the Schaefer Center. This event combines a full-length screening of Moana with live musical performances, celebrating the spirit, culture, and music of the animated classic. Tickets are $10 for students and can be purchased on the Schaefer Center’s website.
Veterinary Technology Speaker Series
The Department of Rural Resilience and Innovation is hosting a virtual speaker series focused on veterinary technology. The first session “Pet Peace Talks: Strategies for Blending Pets & Fostering,” will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom. This session will focus on how to prepare your home for a new pet, integrating a new pet with others, and how to get involved at the Watauga Humane Society. For more information, visit the series website.
ALS Documentary Screening and Q&A with Dr. Rick Bedlack
The Beaver College of Health Sciences is having a free ALS Documentary Screening Stitching Strength, on Friday, October 31 at 5:30 p.m. at Dickson Lecture Hall 103 in Leon Levine Hall. Dr. Rick Bedlack, a neurologist at Duke Health Medical Center and specialist in ALS, will be attending and will host a Q&A after the screening.
In the Honors Spotlight
Kennedi Ratcliffe selected for 2025-2026 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Photo features Kennedi Ratcliffe. Photo submitted by Kennedi Ratcliffe.
Kennedi Ratcliffe ’25, a recent Honors College alumna, has been selected to be part of a cohort of 65 other Americans who will travel to Germany this year as part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program. CBYX is an exchange program between the U.S. Congress and German Bundestag (Parliament) with the help of non-profit partners like Cultural Vistas. Ratcliffe joined Appalachian State and the Honors College in Fall 2022 and graduated Spring 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and a Bachelor of Science in political science, as well as a minor in German. In their press release about Ratcliffe’s participation in the 2025-2026 Young Professionals program, CBYX explained, “Participants are usually placed with host families throughout Germany, where they act as citizen ambassadors of the United States, promoting a positive image of the U.S. abroad, creating lifelong friendships, and professional connections to enhance German-American relations.”
Read the spotlight story to learn more about how Ratcliffe’s Honors College experience and connections led to her involvement with the CBYX for Young Professionals program.