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WCU Stories

Alumni Tower in the snow

Not Just Brick and Mortar

Late Western Carolina University Chancellor Myron Coulter, who led the university from 1984 to 1994, was looking to create a symbol worthy of representing the institution when he proposed the construction of what is now known as the Alumni Tower. The 66-foot-tall brick structure was built on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center in 1989, WCU’s centennial year, and officially presented to the university as a gift from the WCU Alumni Association on Homecoming day that October.  

Image from the archaeological dig

Two Sparrows Town

The ground upon which Western Carolina University is built — and continues building today — has centuries of stories to tell. Some are told in history books and museum exhibits, while others are buried away. Some reemerge through archaeological research sparked by new construction on campus, as the university upgrades, renovates and expands its facilities. Hidden below WCU’s surface is Tali Tsisgwayahi, or “Two Sparrows Town,” the first Cherokee town of the Tuckaseigee River valley.  

Paul and Vicky Faris

Alumni of the Month: Paul and Vicky Faris

Meet Catamounts Paul and Vicky Faris  

WCU Alumnus Matthew Hessburg

Food. Fire. Friends.

Matthew Hessburg, an alumnus of the University Participant program, used the skills he learned while working at the acclaimed Haywood Smokehouse to create a barbecue sauce of his own.  

Natalie Newman in her store

Drive, Ambition and Entrepreneurship: How One Alumna Stayed Local to Apply Her Degree

Natalie Newman knew she had the drive and ambition to run her own business, but what she needed was direction and inspiration. She found both in Western Carolina University’s master’s degree program in innovation leadership and entrepreneurship through the College of Business.  

Marianne Leek Hiking

Marianne Leek Alumna of the Month

Meet Marianne Leek, two time alumna of Western Carolina University.  

Constance Owl

Saving A Dying Language

Graduate History student working to translate Cherokee language from native newspapers. Constance Owl’s master’s degree thesis is more than a means to a graduate degree in American history. It’s a portal to understanding and perhaps saving, a disappearing language.  

Darrin Hemphill

Darrin Hemphill Alumnus of the Month

November 2019 Alumnus of the month  

Garrett Ozar

Entrepreneurship Alumnus Makes Most of Confidence Starting a Business and Facing the Shark Tank

Garrett Ozar, a 2009 graduate with a degree in entrepreneurship, took managerial skills and confidence gained from the Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship Program in the College of Business, to start a success story. He is the co-founder of Eterneva, an Austin, Texas, based company started in 2017 that takes ashes from cremated remains, isolates the carbon and, with heat and pressure, creates diamonds as an everlasting keepsake.   

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