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WCU Stories

Johnny and Dawn Day

Alumni couple establish endowment for parks, rec program

A husband and wife with degrees from the Parks and Recreation Management Program at Western Carolina University have established an endowed fund to support students who are following in their footsteps at their alma mater and to equip PRM professors with additional resources.  

WCU Foundation Board members

New faces join WCU Foundation Board; departing members recognized

Three new members have joined the Western Carolina University Foundation Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, while four departing board members were recently recognized for their service and contributions.  

Alexis Harp

Young alumni spotlight: Harp passes on guidance as Greek life adviser

Alexis Harp was lost her first few semesters of undergrad. Imposter syndrome was hitting her hard. She was a first-generation college student navigating the world of higher education, and to top it all off, she originally didn’t even want to go to college.   

Casey Cooper, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch

Josh Dobson, Nora Lynn Finch sworn in as members of the WCU Board of Trustees

Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch were sworn in as members of Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees during the regular board meeting held on Friday, Sept. 5.   

Chancellor Brown talks about the trophy

Annual faculty-staff giving challenge resumes this fall

An annual effort to encourage faculty and staff members to make financial contributions to Western Carolina University is now underway, including the resumption of a friendly competition among campus divisions and academic colleges.  

Killian Building with Cherokee sculpture

WCU–CIHA partnership grows Cherokee’s next generation of healers

In the midst of ongoing staffing challenges across the healthcare industry, the innovative partnership between Western Carolina University (WCU) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is doing exactly what a great pipeline should do -- it matches local talent with meaningful careers close to home, expands continuing education opportunities, and opens career-ladder pathways for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI).   

Campus in fall

WCU sees strong retention rate for fall 2025, growth in total enrollment

Students have returned in-person and virtually to Western Carolina University and are gearing up for a bustling fall semester.  

J-Creek Cloggers

Schedule announced for WCU’s weeklong Mountain Heritage Days celebration

For the past 50 years on the last Saturday of September, Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Day festival has honored the music, stories, and traditions of Appalachia.  

Janet Oppenheimer

Retired PR professional creates endowment to support WCU students

A public relations professional who has served as a mentor in the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University is now providing support to students in a different way by establishing a new endowment fund to enhance access to extracurricular and professional development activities.  

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