Summer 2016
This year we will grow by six more as the 2016 cohort arrives. Now our students are off on their summer adventures. This summer Sam and Sope are heading off to Germany, beginning their adventure in Berlin. We eagerly await updates from them as they travel throughout the country and visit a long list of art museums. Madeline will also be abroad this summer. Before starting her banking internship in the fall, Madeline will spend her summer studying photography in Italy. We recently welcomed Emma back from Spain where she spent her spring semester and Alia has already started her internship at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. The Wilson Scholars are a remarkable group of young adults and I hope you enjoy the stories shared by our current students as they describe their experiences during the last year. It has been an exciting year working with my colleagues to further build the Wilson Scholars Program. The current Wilson Scholars have provided valuable insights and ideas on how to improve the program. The Wilson Scholar program is a team effort and we embrace the challenge of creating something truly special.
Pictured: Dr. David Marlett
A Letter from the Director
Fun Facts about David
What is the Wilson Scholars Program? I’ve been asked that question countless times during the last year. The easy answer is that the Wilson Scholars Program is Appalachian’s premier scholarship, which provides full institutional cost plus an additional $2,500 per year for experiential learning. The more complicated answer involves the “program” aspect and engagement with Wilson Scholar students once they are on campus. This can range from helping our students find the perfect summer internship, providing guidance on where to study abroad, or just talking over a cup of coffee about the challenges of adjusting to college life. The Wilson Scholars also meet with leaders across campus, which introduces them to valuable resources by allowing them to build relationships. The goal is for our scholars to become part of the Appalachian community and guide them so they get the most out of their time at the university.
• Is an avid traveler and enjoys participating in student study abroad programs.
The Wilson Scholar Program is still a young program and it continues to evolve and grow. Last fall we watched our initial class become sophomores and welcomed our second class to Appalachian, increasing our program in size from four to eight students.
• Served as the chair of the finance, banking and insurance department for 8 years
• Has traveled to the United Kingdom, Turkey, Cuba, China, and Bermuda. • Leads an off campus learning experience to Washington DC for students to participate in a legislative conference. • Has been married for nearly 20 years with his wife Emily and has three teenage children: Sam, Kelsey, and Abby. • With his wife, has fostered several children over the past 5 years as volunteer foster parents throught the department of Health and Human Services. • Is currently a professor at Appalachian State University and teaches finance, banking and insurance in the Walker College of Business.
Meet the Current Wilson Scholars 2015 Scholars
Madeline Hunter
Sam Hines
Alia Dahlan
Sope Kahn
Finance and Banking Mooresville, NC
Industrial Design Sanford, NC
Finance & Banking Swannanoa, NC
Studio Art Chapel Hill, NC
Emma Labovitz
Lily Shaw
Sarah Aldridge
Juliet Irving
Global Studies Salisbury, NC
Sociology Chapel Hill, NC
Political Science & Global Studies Concord, NC
Graphic Design & Dance Batesburg, SC
2014 Scholars
Mentoring Center Stage This year has definitely been a whirlwind full of opportunities for me. I started my sophomore year becoming a mentor to several freshman students in the Honors College. When author of Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah, visited Appalachian, I was able to have dinner with him because of this scholarship program. Hearing him speak about his experiences and what he’s learned was one of the highlights of my year. I performed in the Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble, which is one of the mainstage productions for the dance department for one of the faculty choreographers. When the racist treatment of students at the University of Missouri became public, I, along with a few other students, organized a protest to show solidarity with the students of Mizzou. I worked throughout the semester for the graphic design candidacy review at the end of the semester, and I passed, meaning that I was officially accepted into the graphic design program!
Juliet Irving 2014 Wilson Scholar recipient
Also, throughout the semester, I worked within the Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board for Diversity Recruitment helping organize and publicize events for minority student recruitment and retention. Another organization I am involved with is the Momentum Dance Club, where I organized open classes, created flyers and even choreographed a piece for the Momentum Showcase. In March, I joined the marketing committee for the winning SGA President/Vice President campaign for the 2016-17 year. I was able to have dinner with and introduce Dr. Mae
Pictured above: Juliet Dancing Centerstage and enjoying San Francisco
Jemison when she came to speak at the University Forum Lecture Series. It was incredible to speak with her about her opinions and beliefs on how we can change the world and change our own perspectives on how we see each other. In April, I traveled to San Francisco to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference with Sarah Aldridge and several other students from Appalachian. We were to meet other students who also created initiatives while speaking about the program we were creating. A couple of weeks later, Sarah and I led our hiking program with several middle school students to the Table Rock Mountain Summit and ended with a tour of Appalachian’s campus. I choreographed a piece for the Spring Appala chian Dance Ensemble, which premiered for three days in the Schaefer Center. Also in the month of April, I performed in two dance majors’ senior capstones, which combine dance and the other fields of study the students are involved with.
Sarah Aldridge 2014 Wilson Scholar recipient
Exploring Opportunites & ImpACTing Others My second year was full of educational and eye-opening experiences, both academically and through my extracurricular activities. I was able to take courses that expanded on my social justice interests, such as honors courses like “Critical Perspectives on Racism and Whiteness and Harry Potter and Social Justice. I expanded my political knowledge and beliefs through courses like International Politics and Voting, Campaigns, and Elections, and I formed a greater understanding of the issues facing our current education system through Education as the Practice of Freedom. I learned more about my skills in research and writing through many of these courses, as well as my position as an Undergraduate Research Assistant with a team understanding the experiences of students of color at a Predominantly White Institution. Another incredible opportunity I had during my second year at Appalachian was designing an educational outdoors program for middle schoolers from Charlotte with Juliet Irving and applying through a school grant program. Through this program, we were not only able to spend a day hiking and learning with a couple of amazing middle school girls, but we were able to travel to San Francisco, California to attend the annual Clinton Global Initiative University conference and learn from dozens of incredible speakers and students from around the world. I loved this experience and the wonderful friendships I was able to form and the knowledge I gained from the conference and lasting friendships. I also joined the ImpACT team through the Appalachian & the Community Together office on campus, where I was responsible for planning service events for Appalachian students to have a huge impact on the Boone and Watauga County community. I served on the planning committee for Dance Marathon, a 15-hour dance party and fundraiser for Western Youth Network and Parent to Parent Family Support Network, which raised more than $38,000 for these two wonderful community partners. I also worked as a leader for an Alternative Service Experience over spring break, where I co-led a group of 8 students to Murphy Harpst Children’s Center, a residential treatment center in Georgia for children who were abused or neglected. It was a life-changing experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity to build relationships with my participants and the youth at Murphy Harpst and the growth as a leader that I gained through this week. Next fall, I will be living in Washington, D.C., where I will work as a student intern with different organizations in social justice work and education, and doing an independent study of the politics of education reform. I am also considering the possibilities surrounding studying abroad during my senior year at Appalachian, and will continue to search for ways throughout my time at Appalachian to become more socially aware and learn more about the world and my place in it.
Dear Appalachian I was trying to think of one word to describe this past year – a word to quantify all my new experiences, the personal growth I felt, and the challenges I faced, but I could not think one word could suffice so I found a quote. The quote is by Lao Tzu and it reads, “He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty.” My fall semester was one of my busiest to date. I was heavily involved with my sorority’s recruitment process, which taught me a lot, not only about interacting with people from all different backgrounds, but helped me grow my relationships with my sisters in my sorority. It was through this process that I was able to truly expand and develop wonderful relationships with an organization that serves to empower me as a woman. With the Student Ambassadors, I took on more leadership roles and felt like I began to leave my mark with this cornerstone organization. As the business liaison for our Annual Can Food Drive, I played a substantial role in raising more than 20,000 pounds for our local community. That, along with co-organizing our first Nearly Naked Mile, in which we raised hundreds of clothing items for the local community, philanthropy was a large part of my experience in Ambassadors. On a personal note, I trained for a half marathon during this time and learned about commitment. I felt like I was pushed this semester to truly grow as an individual, and found strength in working through these issues.
Pictured above: Emma exploring France and Portugal
While I didn’t think I could put my year into one word, I can describe my spring semester in one: amazing. This past semester I spent studying in Sevilla, Spain. I was pushed to grow, not only intellectually, but outside of my comfort zone in regard to experiences and relationships. I went to Spain with no friends and had to learn how to make friends all over again – a very humbling task. I also traveled throughout Europe and part of Africa. I learned so much about different cultures and was able to reevaluate the opinions I held about my culture and our world. This summer, I will be working in Yellowstone as a housekeeper – yes, I know it sounds very glamorous. I am excited to have this experience with my sister as we meet new people and reconnect with the mountains, a place I’ve come to miss while in Spain. This year, I will help lead sorority recruitment as a Rho Gamma. I am hoping to help girls find the same friendships and support that I have found in my sorority. I also plan to organize the Nearly Naked Mile again. I am planning to train for another half marathon – this time my dad will train with me so we can run in the same race. Finally, I am hoping to begin an internship with one of the local non-profits. I want to continue to grow as an individual. This last year, I have truly begun to establish my personal identity, and I hope to sustain this understanding. I hope to grow my relationships with my peers and friends upon my return to Appalachian. I am ready to leave a positive impact on the Appalachian campus. While I have loved my experience in Spain, Appalachian is my home and I am ready to return and continue to help this place I love to call home. See ya soon Appalachian, Emma Emma Labovitz 2014 Wilson Scholar recipient
I had a great opportunity to display my art and a collaborative piece in an art show located off of King Street. I showed some of my pieces I made in my Foundations Design class, an old painting, and set up an installation with my friend made completely out of sticky notes that was more than six feet tall and six feet wide. It took us over five hours to complete, and the installation stayed up for about a month. After Christmas celebrations in the dorm, the semester ended and I left school with a 4.0. Second semester began with me struggling to figure out my classes. I ended up signing up for two Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies courses, and they became the most conceptually challenging courses that I learned the most from. They were so great that I decided to be a GWS major, and I am very excited to take more classes in the future! Other classes I’ve enjoyed are French and Metalsmithing. I’ve become more proficient at French and I hope to one day study abroad and become fluent in French. I want to take more metalsmithing classes in the future and potentially do my studio art concentration in metals. Sope Kahn 2015 Wilson Scholar recipient
Finding Myself & Finding Friends Freshman year was a blast. I’ve learned so much this year and have changed a lot since last fall. I’m really happy to have been at App and to have had these experiences. I love Appalachian and the community on campus, and have made some really great friendships that I hope to maintain for the rest of my college years. My classes were excellent these past semesters and I’ve learned a lot from my professors and peers. Based on my favorite classes, I’ve chosen to double major in Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, as well as Studio Art. I’m very excited for my classes in the upcoming years and I’m very happy to be pursuing these topics that I am passionate about. At the beginning of the year, I found a strong community in my 8th floor residence hall Cone. Adjusting to college life was hard at first (I’m not great at huge transitions), but my friends on my floor made college become fun and meaningful. We organized Sunday family dinner nights, played board games on the weekends, and stayed up late during the weekdays “studying” in the study lounge (I actually did study sometimes). It has been fun getting to know the people living close to me.
For extracurriculars, I’ve participated in the GWS club and have been involved in activist organizations on campus. I am also working with a friend in developing an Art in Action club, where we would create a collaborative art-making space focused on contemporary art techniques that deal with social justice issues. I am hoping to start this club in the fall semester. Overall, I was able to meet a lot of new people this year, explore my academic interests, and participate in extracurriculars that were important to me. This summer, I am traveling to Berlin with Sam because of the Wilson Scholarship, and I am very excited to have this experience. Next year, Madeline, Alia and I will be living in the same suite, and Sam will be living in our building, and we are all excited to be living near each other. This scholarship has given us all friendships that have been very valuable, and I am extremely thankful that we were able to build the connection we have. We will all be traveling to New York this summer with funding from the scholarship, and I am very excited that we will have this opportunity. The future is very exciting and I am thankful for the many adventures and opportunities that the Wilson Scholarship has provided!
Welcome the Wilson Scholars Cohort of 2016 Anisha Sharma Biology Summerfield, NC “Through collaboration with others, intellectual exploration, and personal efforts to promote pluralism, equality and justice, I hope to become a better contributor to the world.”
Fahiima Mohamed Biology Raleigh, NC “As a young Somali woman, I am affected by problems faced by women and people of color. I know that with an education, I have a chance to try and make an impact to make life easier for as many people as possible.”
Grace Bowling Education Boone, NC “I want to make sure that I will never be the kind of person who travels the world but doesn’t take the time to learn at least a little of a new language.”
Javon Nathaniel International Business Charlotte, NC “I want to find students who are willing to be vocal in their community and help dictate change. With the aid of these impactful students, I will open forums on campus for other students to express their thoughts on race-related issues.”
William “Jake” Powell Sustainable Technology Wake County, NC “I want to solve the problems caused by pollution so that future generations can enjoy a healthier and cleaner environment. Raising awareness and implementing affordable green technology worldwide are key to solving these problems.”
Victoria Anderson Criminal Justice Rutherford, NC “It is my hope that the education and experience at Appalachian will expose me to many new experiences, by establishing a strong knowledge base, increasing interpersonal skills, and broadening my understanding of our world.”
About the Wilson Scholar Program Wilson Scholars push the boundaries of learning and act with passion and determination to create a sustainable future for all. They see moral problems – problems of social justice – as intellectual problems that we can think and reason about. The Wilson Scholars push the boundaries of the classrooms into remote neighborhoods in North Carolina’s towns and cities and into the barren fields of the coastal plains. Wilson Scholars find better ways to protect our state’s natural resource, find better ways to close the achievement gap and create jobs. They may even find a way to make health care more affordable. In all things, they make a difference. The Wilson Scholars Program was established in 2013 and was only made possible through the support of Brad and Carole Wilson, both graduates of Appalachian State University. The program has grown to 14 students who have the heart, drive and now the resources to impact the world in very significant ways.
“Making a difference is the only thing that matters.” –Carole Wilson ’75
Year in Review Juliet Irving, 2014 Cohort
Graphic Design & Dance, Batesburg, SC As I begin my sophomore year, I look back on my first year as a Wilson Scholar at Appalachian State. The opportunities I received allowed me to explore my passions and develop a sense of who I am and who I want to be as a person. Entering college, I knew I wanted to be a graphic design major; I also wanted to be a dance major, but I was not sure if I wanted to be labeled as an arts major. Looking back, I am glad that I chose to pursure my passion as a dance major and am thankful for all of the support I have recieved from the Wilson Scholars Program to turn my passion into a major..
Sarah Aldridge, 2014 Cohort
Political Science & Global Studies, Concord, NC I am Sarah Aldridge, a sophomore Global Studies & Political Science major here at Appalachian State. I’m a member of the ImpACT team in the ACT Office, which works to connect students, staff and the community through service, and International Appalachian, where I work with OIED and the international students to increase the internationalization of Appalachian. What my time here at Appalachian has taught me so far is not that I am defined by my involvement or my GPA, but that I am defined by my passions and how I make a difference in the communities and lives around me.
Emma Labovitz, 2014 Cohort Global Studies, Salisbury, NC These past two years have been nothing short of incredible. I have been able to get involved with organizations such as Chi Omega and Applachian Student Ambassadors. I also have been able to travel to an entirely different part of the world through the Wilson Scholars Program and was able to meet some amazing people. I am excited to embark on the rest of my college journey when I return to Appalachian State in the fall!
Sope Kahn, 2015 Cohort Studio Art, Chapel Hill, NC My name is Sope Kahn and I just completed my first year at Appalachian State University. Art has always been my passion; I use art to question, and to influence others to question. I see art is a way to change the world. I am also passionate about working with oppressed groups to bring voices together, amplify the sound and use the collective power to initiate change. Overall this past year, I was able to meet a lot of new people, explore my academic interests and participate in extracurriculars that were important to me