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WCU Stories

BaShaun Smith

BaShaun Smith

Manifestation is the conscious creation of circumstances and outcomes that make for a fulfilling life. Raised in a single-parent household of four out of inner-city Cleveland, Ohio, BaShaun Smith understood at a young age what hard work looked like. “I learned early on that I didn’t have to run through a brick wall to know it hurts,” Smith said.   

Carol Burton

Carol Burton

Once referred to as a “campus fixture” by beloved late WCU Chancellor David Orr Belcher, Carol Burton, vice provost, has dedicated 33 years to learning and leading with compassion and obligation. Raised by Jamaican parents Reuben and Yvonne Burton, Burton’s journey to higher education was predestined by her matriarchal, fearless, powerful and entrepreneurial mother. “An American degree is the way of the future,” Yvonne Burton told her.   

hfr

Board of Trustees to hold quarterly meeting March 3

The Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University will hold its quarterly meeting at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, in the board room of H.F. Robinson Administration Building.  

emc students

EMC program alumni establish 2 new scholarship funds to help future WCU students

A pair of alumni from the EMC program's formative years have established endowed scholarship funds totaling nearly $55,000 to help future students.  

lit fest 22

WCU to host national book award winner, bestsellers at 21st Annual Spring Literary Festival

WCU’s Spring Literary Festival returns to campus March 20-23 with a series of live events.  

Patrice Brown

Patrice Brown

Named after her late father, John L. Brown, Johnnifer Patrice Brown, assistant professor of interior design at WCU, spent her childhood watching her father master the art of upholstery in Montgomery, Alabama. Completing her BS degree in mechanical engineering from Tuskegee University, and time spent working in both the automotive and commercial design industry, Patrice soon realized she was unfulfilled and needed a change.   

Jeff Hughes

Jeff Hughes

Life in threes. That’s how Jeff Hughes, director of the Department of Campus Activities, patterned his decades-long career at Western Carolina University. Holding a master’s in public administration and a bachelor’s in sociology from Georgia Southern University, the native of Lake Hartwell, Georgia, set out with ambitions of becoming a city planner.   

campus drone 2

WCU ranked in top 20% of Forbes’ list of America’s best midsize employers

WCU has been ranked in the top 20% coming in at number 97 out of 500 organizations.  

advising center

WCU to revamp advising model July 1

Students who are pursuing majors supported by WCU’s Advising Center will have an increased connection with professional advisers under the new advising model.   

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