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WCU Stories

Kathleen de la Torre

Kathleen de la Torre named WCU’s assistant vice chancellor for development

Kathleen de la Torre, director of development for the College of Health and Human Sciences at Western Carolina University, has been promoted to the role of assistant vice chancellor for development.  

Paws with fans at a football game

GivingTuesday nets record-breaking $6M, sets stage for $1M Catamount Club challenge

Friends and alumni contributed more than $6 million to Western Carolina University during the 2024 GivingTuesday initiative, nearly quadrupling the previous record set last year and setting the stage for a corresponding challenge gift that would unlock significant additional funding for WCU athletics facilities renovations.  

Joseph Oladeji

WCU computer science senior secures job with Google

Joseph Oladeji is probably feeling lucky.  

Garrett Ozark

College of Business alumnus who appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ shares secrets of success

A Western Carolina University College of Business graduate and former Catamount baseball player who hit it out of the ballpark with an appearance on “Shark Tank” shared some personal lessons from his life as an entrepreneur during a recent-on campus presentation.  

Ashlyn Hannon

WCU junior named first Thompson Scholar

Ashlyn Hannon hasn’t been across the pond before, much less anywhere else outside of the country. But thanks to a generous gift from a pair of Western Carolina University donors, she’ll be hopping on a flight in just a few short weeks.   

machine shop at wcu

College of Engineering and Technology awarded $524,000 grant from IACMI to fund machining education

Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology recently received a $524,000 grant from the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation to fund a computer numerical control (CNC) machining program.  

Sarah Parsons works on bee pollinator garden

Sarah Parsons continues campus pollinators work with UNC MRI grant

While insects have gotten a bad rap as “creepy crawlies” to be squished or stepped on, humanity is highly dependent on them. Many insects are integral to pollination, which is crucial to the survival of plant ecosystems and crops that keep people fed.   

Leaves from the moon tree

Out of this world: ‘Moon Tree’ arrives on WCU campus

Amy Fagan, an associate professor in Western Carolina University’s Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources, knows she’s a bit of a space addict.  

WCU nursing students

WCU School of Nursing awarded grant to jumpstart workshop series

Western Carolina University School of Nursing director and associate professor Terrica Durbin understands the need for nurses — and so do local patrons. The WCU School of Nursing was awarded a $40,562 grant by the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville.   

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