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WCU Stories

WCU faculty and staff in Ecuador

Students, faculty expand literacy improvement efforts in Ecuador with support from Fund for WCU

Students and faculty from Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions expanded ongoing efforts to improve literacy in rural communities of the Andes Mountains of Ecuador using educational materials purchased through an 1889 Impact Grant of $1,500.  

WCU football home game

WCU announces historic $100 million goal for ‘Fill the Western Sky’ fundraising campaign

Western Carolina University officially kicked off the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 136-year history, an effort to secure $100 million in philanthropic support with a focus on increasing the financial resources necessary for long-delayed upgrades in facilities used by Catamount student-athletes.  

Alumna takes a selfie with Paws

Purple and Gold Alumni Weekend set for July 25-27

The revamped Purple and Gold Alumni Weekend, a new twist on a time-honored tradition for Western Carolina University alumni, is returning to the Cullowhee campus this summer after last year’s successful relaunch.  

WCU faculty members with Steve Lillard and Chris Hatton

Fund for WCU supports symposium on intersection of policing, social work

More than 65 judges, prosecutors, behavioral health workers and representatives from law enforcement agencies across the mountains gathered earlier this year at Western Carolina University for conversations about the root causes of issues that lead to interactions with police in Western North Carolina.   

Chancellor's Ambassadors

Chancellor’s Ambassadors student organization receives leadership training through Fund for WCU

Thanks to funding from donors to the Fund for WCU, members of a student organization tasked with assisting Western Carolina University’s chancellor at selected on- and off-campus events received specialized training to assist them in their roles as student representatives of WCU  

WCU students learning how to dance

Donors to Fund for WCU support ASP student trip to Central Europe

Western Carolina University’s Academic Success Program took 21 students to Central Europe in March 2024 for an 11-day international learning experience for conditionally admitted students who successfully completed ASP requirements.  

Womens basketball alumnae pose for photo on the Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center

Women’s basketball program alumnae reunion supported by Fund for WCU, 1889 Impact Grants

The Catamount women’s basketball program is among the beneficiaries of financial support awarded to a variety of campus partners as part of the latest round of 1889 Impact Grants, an initiative made possible by contributions to the Fund for WCU.  

WCU journalism students attend national convention

Student journalists attend national convention with support from the Fund for WCU

Six leaders of Western Carolina University student journalism organizations attended the Society of Professional Journalists National Convention last year in Las Vegas, supported by $2,500 from the 1889 Impact Grants Program through contributions to the Fund for WCU.  

HHS

Aliya Bailey named director of development for WCU College of Health, Human Sciences

Aliya D. Bailey, former assistant director of annual giving at the Fordham University School of Law, has been named director of development for Western Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Sciences.  

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