The Chancellor's List

The Chancellor's List is an honor and designation that recognizes the exemplary accomplishment of Undergraduate students who have earned a 3.8 GPA during the previous semester at WCU. Students who have earned this prestigious award are role models as university citizens, having demonstrated their commitment to academic and personal excellence. These students understand that while it is important to excel in the classroom, it is equally important to engage with their community – on campus and in the region – and to make a difference in the lives of those around them. It is with great pride that we recognize Chancellor’s List recipients for their hard work and commitment to success!

Spring 2024 Chancellor's List will take place on February 22nd at 5PM.

Chancellor's List- Chancellor Brown

Qualifications for Chancellor's List Award:

Student must have been an Undergraduate
Student must have achieved a 3.8 GPA or higher during the Spring 2022 semester
Student must have retained full-time status (12 credit hours or more) for the entire semester
All students grades must have been finalized by the end of the term (No incomplete's given)

This celebration and reception is hosted each semester, in September and February. Each celebration features remarks from the Chancellor and Provost, in addition to an inspiring keynote address. Distinguished speakers and leaders, known for their accomplishments, grit, and dedication to success, share diverse perspectives and personal passions. A reception follows the remarks, during which students pick up their certificates and enjoy refreshments.

Jonah Slentz

Spring 2024 Keynote speaker:

Jonah Slentz

Jonah Slentz is a distinguished graduate of Western Carolina University. His academic journey is marked by his commitment to excellence, beginning with his pursuit of a BS in Chemistry, and driven by a lifelong passion for pharmaceutical research. His family's early memories capture him in a lab coat, embodying a dream that persisted even before receiving his acceptance letter from WCU. The recipient of prestigious scholarships, including the Wilkes County G. Gerald Henley Scholarship and the Chick-fil-a Remarkable Futures Scholarship, Jonah's dedication earned him a place on both the Dean's List and Chancellor's List multiple semesters.

Jonah currently serves as a pharmaceutical scientist at Catalent Pharms Solutions in the Research Triangle, Raleigh, where he specializes in extractable and leachable investigations into unknown contaminants. His role involves assessing the stability of diverse medicines, from inhalers to chemotherapy drugs, contributing to numerous studies that ensure product quality before clinical trials or global distribution. Balancing his thriving career, Jonah is pursuing a master's in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Florida, supported by Catalent, showcasing his commitment to continuous education and professional growth.

Jonah Slentz emerges not only as a distinguished professional but also as an inspiring community leader, seamlessly weaving together his academic achievements, professional expertise, and commitment to service. He created a chemistry tutoring group at North Carolina State University resulting in a side role as a tutor for over twenty students for general and organic chemistry. He now tutors for pharmaceutical chemistry and organometallic chemistry for Elon University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Campbell University. Jonah's leadership extends to his role as an active alumnus, impacting the community through advisory roles for Pi Kappa Alpha chapters. He presently serves as the Marketing Advisor for the Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter at Western Carolina University and the Recruitment and Operations Advisor for the Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter at North Carolina State University.

TJ Eaves

Fall 2023 Keynote:

TJ Eaves

TJ Eaves earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and law at Western Carolina University in 2012 before obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2015. As a student, Eaves was elected Student Government Association President at Western Carolina University for the 2011-12 academic year where he served on Western Carolina University’s Board of Trustees. Eaves has also served on the Alumni Board of Directors and the College of Business Advisory Board. He has been highlighted for his successes many times over as a notable alumnus of Western Carolina University.

After serving as an assistant district attorney with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office in Raleigh, NC. for nearly four years, Eaves bolstered his legacy at WCU further when he returned once more as one of three attorneys responsible for providing legal advice to university serving both students and employees. As part of the WCU legal team, Eaves specialized in policy development, crises management, Student Affairs and Athletics legal matters. His main practice areas included international affairs, contracts, emergency preparation, student affairs, litigation, policies and regulations, the Umstead Act, FERPA, threat assessment, athletics, media, property, law enforcement, and records retention.

Past keynote speakers featured:

Fall 2023-TJ Eaves- Alumnus, JD; Associate General Counsel
Spring 2023- Preston Blakely- Alumnus; Mayor of Fletcher, N.C.
Fall 2022- Jeremy Jones- Author; Memoir, "Bearwallow: A Personal History of a Mountain Homeland"
Spring 2022- Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle- Author, "Even As We Breathe"
Fall 2021- Catherine Carter, Reciepient of The Board of Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Spring 2020- Liz Murray, author of the national best selling Novel, "Breaking Night"
Fall 2019- John Quiñones, ABC news correspondent and host of "What Would You Do?"
Spring 2019- Michael Steele, political analyst and former Chair of the Republican National Comittee
Fall 2018- Honorable Loretta Lynch, Former Attorney General of the United States
Spring 2018- Richard Sneed, Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Fall 2017- Kwame Jackson, acclaimed entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker
Spring 2017- Donovan Livingston, renowned spoken-word poet and scholar