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WCU Stories

Recreation Therapy Students with their cards on a zoom call

Recreational Therapy Students Send Encouraging Cards to Asheville Nursing Home

Sophomore Brianna Hedges was brainstorming with her dad one day on what activities members of Western Carolina University’s Recreational Therapy Association group could participate in as a way to reach out while they are physically unable to go out and volunteer in places because of the COVID-19 crisis.  

Rapid Center

College of Engineering and Technology Using 3D Printers for COVID-19 Fight

Faculty, staff and students in the College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University are using 3D printers in the college’s Rapid Center to develop visors for face shields for use by health care workers in their battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. The work is part of a nationwide initiative by Stratasys, manufacturer of several 3D printers used by WCU’s Rapid Center.   

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Engineering college using 3D printers to make face shields for COVID-19 fight

Faculty, staff and students in the College of Engineering and Technology are using 3D printers in the college’s Rapid Center to develop visors for face shields for use by health care workers in their battle with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Nursing Students

Nursing Residency Pivots Standard Training to Assist During Pandemic

As COVID-19 protocols began taking effect in the Asheville area, registered nurses in a primary care residency and fellows program at Western Carolina University made a quick shift to assist an at-risk population while still continuing their training.  

Alumna Sue Lynn Ledford

Alumni Spotlight: Sue Lynn Ledford

Sue Lynn Ledford learned to care for sick people as a young nursing student at Western Carolina University. Today, she uses the same approach as director of population health and field services for WellCare of North Carolina, a provider health plan for Medicare and Medicaid.  

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Primary care nursing residency pivots standard training to assist during pandemic

As COVID-19 protocols began taking effect in the Asheville area, registered nurses in a primary care residency and fellows program made a quick shift to assist an at-risk population while still continuing their training.  

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Forensic anthropologists provide fire investigation training to federal, state, local agencies

The Department of Forensic Anthropology recently hosted a two-day continuing education class created in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and attended by 24 federal, state and local fire investigators.   

Hospitality and Tourism students

Down, But Not Out: WNC Hospitality and Tourism Industry Expected to Bounce Back

WNC hospitality and tourism industry may be down, but WCU professor Angela Sebby believes they will bounce back in the coming months.  

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CAPS is available to help students cope with their new way of life

Students have had to adapt to a new way of learning with most classes shifting to online learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the many students who utilized WCU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, they’ve also had to adapt to a new way of receiving services with face-to-face meetings no longer allowed.   

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