Alumni Engagement Staff

Marty Ramsey '85

Director of Alumni Engagement

mramsey@wcu.edu
828-227-3048

Western Carolina University has been a part of my life—my entire life. My family moved to Cullowhee in 1964 when my father, Harry Ramsey, accepted a faculty position at WCU and my mom, Sue Ramsey, worked as a “dorm mother” in Robertson Dormitory. We lived in a ground floor apartment of Robertson and the WCU campus quickly became my playground. Fast forward—I graduated WCU in 1985 with a degree in Business Administration and was in corporate sales and management with Roadway Services (transportation & logistics company) for nine years. In 1994 my alma mater came calling, and I returned to Cullowhee as Director of WCU’s Catamount Club and primary athletic fundraiser. I remained in that role until 2004 when I was appointed Director of Alumni Engagement and I just completed my 17^th year in that position and my 26^th year at WCU—what an honor and privilege to work for my beloved alma mater.

Beau Busby ‘03

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

bbusby@wcu.edu
828-227-7166

I started my journey at WCU in the Fall of 1998 as a student pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. I quickly changed to Recreational Therapy with intentions of working with experiential therapy through ropes course and outdoor therapy. I graduated Western in December 2003 and began working with patients with developmental disabilities at the DHHS: Murdoch Center in Butner, NC. In 2006 I returned to WCU as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission recruiting students from Georgia, and larger markets in NC. In the Fall of 2014 I became Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement overseeing the WCU Alumni Association alumni club network, website, and communications.

Elizabeth Honbarger

Administrative Assistant

aehonbarger@wcu.edu
828-227-3035

My husband Steve and I have been fixtures in the Cullowhee/Sylva area for over 12 years. I received my undergraduate degree from Appalachian State, where I met my husband, and am currently pursuing a Master's degree here at Western Carolina University. I am originally from Mint Hill, NC and my husband is from China Grove, NC. We are huge supporters of all things purple here at WCU! My husband has worked in WCU Athletics as the Director of Sports Medicine for the last 15 years and I started my career at Western with the Catamount Club in 2015. I later transitioned to the WCU Advancement Division and moved to the Office of Alumni Engagement in June of 2019. We enjoy all things outdoors, live music, gardening, and our 90 lb. American Bulldog, Zeli.

Elizabeth Qualls

Coordinator of Affinity Programs

equalls@wcu.edu

Growing up, the mountains of western North Carolina were my second home. Between family vacations, trips with friends, and winter guard competitions in the Ramsey Center, I found myself in the area often. After graduation, the mountains were calling my name, and I knew Western Carolina University was the place for me. I am originally from South Carolina and attended Clemson University, where I received my B.A. in Political Science in December 2019. During my time at Clemson, I had the opportunity to intern for the university's foundation. That internship sparked my interest in pursuing a higher education career, and I joined the Alumni Engagement team in April 2020. I have loved engaging with and supporting WCU's alumni, learning more about the university, and exploring the area with my German Shepadoodle Bodhi.

Sarah Vick

Advancement Communications Specialist

svick@wcu.edu

Originally from "little" Washington, North Carolina, I grew up visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park each summer with my family. Before coming to Western Carolina University, I worked in the Office of Communications and Public Relations at my alma mater, Salem College. This experience provided me with digital media experience and grew my love of working in a university environment. I later taught public speaking and rhetoric at the University of Maryland - College Park while completing my M.A. in Communication. Following graduation in 2020, I joined the Alumni Engagement team as Alumni Digital Media Associate before advancing to my current role. I am now able to connect with generations of WCU's phenomenal alumni and am happy to call western North Carolina home!