- Community & Alumni Engagement
- Give to WCU
- Giving Societies
- Cullowhee Society
Cullowhee Society
About the Society
The Cullowhee Society recognizes donors or organizations with cumulative cash giving of $100,000 or more. Comprised of four giving circles, the Cullowhee Society emphasizes the transformative power of philanthropy and its role in propelling WCU’s vision to be a national model for learning and engagement, as an important, regional university.
Each year, corresponding native plant species will be added to campus, as a symbol of this philanthropy impact.
Impact Benefits
Community
Sustaining native plant species of Western North Carolina
Campus
Environmental stewardship of the WCU campus
Donor Benefits
- VIP communication and VIP event invitations
- Specialized thank you cards and welcome packet
- Annual lifetime giving societies “planting day” event with impact stories, picnic lunch and ceremonial planting of native Bluets, Oconee Bells, Mountain Laurels and Dwarf Crested Irises, symbolic of the importance of impactful giving
- Local, hand-made artisan lapel pin with corresponding native plant designs, crafted in precious metals
Giving Circles
The Bluet Circle
$100,000 to $249,999
The Oconee Bell Circle
$250,000 to $499,999
The Mountain Laurel Circle
$500,000 to $999,999
The Crested Iris Circle
$1,000,000+
Thank you to our photographers who provided the beautiful imagery of our native plants:
Keith Kunstmann, Matthew Kemper, Chris Jacobs, and Ed Kelley.
Planting Day
In partnership with the WCU Foundation, the Division of Advancement hosts an annual Planting Day to honor the members of the Madison Legacy Society and the Cullowhee Society.
WCU Giving Societies
The generosity of our donors and friends highlights the philanthropic spirit that drives our growth and propels our vision. To exemplify this reciprocity, WCU has four Giving Societies—two for lifetime giving and two for annual giving. WCU believes in the transformative power of building relationships, and we welcome you to join us.