News

Following a banner year for revenue generation and fundraising for the athletics program at Western Carolina University in 2025-2026 with all-time highs in ticket sales, donations and booster organization membership, the Catamount Club is announcing benefits package updates, including a new top tier called “The Royal Banner” level.

A Western Carolina University faculty member with a long track record of financially supporting the place where she works has found a new way to add to her philanthropy toward the university while simultaneously providing her with a future stream of income.

A Macon County husband and wife already providing financial support of the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum and its effort to expand the range of artists represented in its galleries are now backing the endeavor in a new way – through a gift of artwork from their personal collection.

Several soon-to-be-graduates of Western Carolina University were thanked by campus leaders for financial contributions they have made to the institution where they are currently wrapping up requirements for their college degrees.

The final count is in for Western Carolina University’s fourth annual all-in day of giving, with 2,040 donors making a total of more than $1.115 million in gifts and pledges during the “One Day for Western” campaign.

Brittany Kicklighter, director of development for athletics major gifts at Western Carolina University, has been named interim associate athletics director for development and Catamount Club director.

Western Carolina University alumna and Jackson County native Janna L. Deitz has joined the WCU Division of Advancement as director of development and corporate partnerships for the College of Engineering and Technology.

Nearly 200 donors to Western Carolina University heard directly from a trio of students about how philanthropic support is helping them pursue their dreams of obtaining a college degree and preparing them for life after graduation.

Western Carolina University alumna Stefanie Conley, a Franklin native and longtime supporter of the Catamount athletics program, readily admits that she did not become a fan of the university’s intercollegiate sports teams during her years as a student in Cullowhee.

After a nationwide search, Western Carolina University has appointed Andrew Kenneth Gay as the new dean of the David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts, effective July 1.