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WCU Stories

Bill Conway with WCU nursing students

Conway Scholars meet benefactor, hear from NCDHHS secretary, receive nursing pins

The nearly 75 members of the inaugural class of Conway Scholars in Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing met their benefactor and heard a message of gratitude for obstacles overcome and encouragement for challenges ahead from North Carolina’s highest ranked health care official Thursday, Dec. 12, on the eve of commencement.  

WCU alumnus Keith Ramsey

Funds launched by alumnus support preprofessional health majors, marching band students

Two scholarship funds established by a Western Carolina University alumnus who grew up the son of Sylva’s first full-time optometrist before embarking upon his own distinguished medical career have supported scores of WCU students majoring in preprofessional health programs and participating in marching band.  

Kathleen de la Torre

Kathleen de la Torre named WCU’s assistant vice chancellor for development

Kathleen de la Torre, director of development for the College of Health and Human Sciences at Western Carolina University, has been promoted to the role of assistant vice chancellor for development.  

Paws with fans at a football game

GivingTuesday nets record-breaking $6M, sets stage for $1M Catamount Club challenge

Friends and alumni contributed more than $6 million to Western Carolina University during the 2024 GivingTuesday initiative, nearly quadrupling the previous record set last year and setting the stage for a corresponding challenge gift that would unlock significant additional funding for WCU athletics facilities renovations.  

Paws signing a thank you donor card

Advancement office issues year-end giving deadline reminder

The Western Carolina University Division of Advancement is issuing its annual reminder to donors planning to make year-end gifts to the institution about important dates to keep in mind when considering those philanthropic contributions.  

Joseph Oladeji

WCU computer science senior secures job with Google

Joseph Oladeji is probably feeling lucky.  

Debra Burke

Burke receives $235K grant to continue agricultural mediation programs

The North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program and the Farm Agricultural Resources and Mediation of Virginia have been two mainstays at Western Carolina University for a while now.   

Garrett Ozark

College of Business alumnus who appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ shares secrets of success

A Western Carolina University College of Business graduate and former Catamount baseball player who hit it out of the ballpark with an appearance on “Shark Tank” shared some personal lessons from his life as an entrepreneur during a recent-on campus presentation.  

Members of the Catamount Philanthropy Council display their prize-winning banner from Homecoming 2024.

Catamount Philanthropy Council provides student face for donors, alumni

While thousands of Western Carolina University students benefit annually from the generosity of those who make philanthropic gifts to the institution, a small group is actively working to help increase donations to WCU by providing a student face for friends and alumni.  

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