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WCU Stories

Jennifer Higdon

WCU’s School of Music to welcome Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Award-winning composer Jennifer Higdon

The lights dim, the audience quiets and the quintet takes their place on stage. A moment later, the air in Coulter Recital Hall comes alive.   

Members of the committee with Gov. Stein

NC Governor’s Advisory Committee for Western North Carolina Recovery holds first in-person meeting at WCU

Nearly six months after Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, the region's recovery efforts continue.  

Football stadium at WCU

Search underway for new athletics director

Western Carolina University has launched a search for a new intercollegiate athletics director following the resignation of Alex Gary earlier this month. Chancellor Kelli R. Brown has appointed a 13-member committee to assist in selecting Gary's successor.  

David Moore and Darren Whatley

Highlands couple pledges estate legacy gift in excess of $10M to WCU

David Moore and Darren Whatley place a lot of value on public education, having both attended public universities. Moore is an alumnus of the University of South Alabama and began his graduate studies at the University of Tübingen, Germany, while Whatley attended Louisiana State University and the University of Texas.   

Julian Manrique

WCU alumnus Julian Manrique shines as law school grad, attorney

After taking some challenging chemistry classes, Julian Manrique decided to reconsider his major. He was a biology major with a concentration in pre-dental, but following some thinking, the curious Western Carolina University student switched over to business administration and law.  

Forsyth Business

Justin Pace to lead WCU School of Accounting, Finance, Info Systems, Business Law

Justin Pace, assistant professor of business law at Western Carolina University, has been named director of the School of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Law in the College of Business.   

Kim Gorman

WCU scholars publish new book on mental illness stigma

A new book from two Western Carolina University scholars investigates the existence and impact of mental illness stigma on university campuses.   

David Joy

RASC 2025: David Joy and campus research presentations

Western Carolina University double alumnus and best-selling author David Joy will give the keynote address at the annual Research and Scholarship Conference at WCU on Wednesday, March 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center.   

Wardell and Diane

Gift from alumnus establishes new scholarship fund to support WCU social work students

A first-generation college student who earned his bachelor's degree at Western Carolina University before embarking upon a 46-year career including several posts on Capitol Hill has created a new endowed scholarship fund to support social work students at his alma mater.  

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