Spanish Program News

Three former members of the Western Carolina University women’s basketball team stepped up to the line to tip off the process of raising enough philanthropic support to name the current Catamount squad’s locker room after the founder of the program.

Abdallah Abdallah, an associate professor in Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology, has received the UNC System Office’s Undergraduate Research Program Award, a $35,000 grant that allows students to gain experience that will benefit their academic and professional careers.

Martin Tanaka, a professor of engineering and technology at Western Carolina University, has a knack for creating innovative gadgets as a biomedical engineer. He has two patents for medical devices: one to help with rotator cuff surgery and another for a surgical tool for nasal surgery.

Much like the holiday season, the annual GivingTuesday national day of philanthropy is fast approaching, and the folks at Western Carolina University will be seeking financial support for Catamount student-athletes and for excellence endowments that provide enhanced academic and extracurricular experiences for all students.

Amenemhet Ashenafi uncrinkled the packaging his son’s king chess piece came in just before dropping him off at college. He looked at the new family heirloom, turned to his son and started reciting the speech he had in mind when this moment would come.

A Western Carolina University professor who traveled from India to the United States on a study permit with $20 in his pocket and a dream in his heart has created a scholarship fund to help College of Business students who face similar challenges in their educational journey.

Like the mountains in Cullowhee often do, Switzerland was calling Simon Gugerli home.

WCU professors are helping Jackson County's youngest learners embrace STEM and understand how science is embedded in rural communities.

Western Carolina University leaders raised a celebratory toast to members of the December 2025 graduating class who have already made financial contributions to their soon-to-be alma mater as student philanthropists.

Earlier this month, Western Carolina University Athletics welcomed more than 1,000 Jackson County Public Schools students to campus for its annual Education Days basketball games—bringing early holiday cheer and an unforgettable afternoon of hoops.