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WCU Stories

scholarship 139

Students, donors gather to celebrate the impact of philanthropy

Several students who are among the recipients of the more than 1,500 donor-supported scholarships awarded this year thanked their benefactors in person at an annual celebration of philanthropy.  

steve couch with sister

Alumnus providing leadership gifts for scholarships, athletics

Steve Couch, a 1985 graduate with a degree in industrial technology, is having a major impact on the lives of current students and student-athletes.  

Jay and Susan Strum

Research classroom in Apodaca Building named in recognition of gifts from Jay, Susan Strum

Alums Jay and Susan Strum had a classroom named after them in the Apodaca Science Building.  

zangleinsteve

New scholarship to support students with interest in exploration and travel

A recently established scholarship at WCU is designed to celebrate the life of a late professor of business law by supporting students who share her passion for travel, teaching, research and helping others.  

watkins chmar

Highlands couple establishes funds for study abroad, undergrad research for WCU students, faculty

Students and faculty in the Brinson Honors College will have increased access to international study and undergraduate research opportunities, thanks to the support of Gayle Watkins and Andrew Chmar.  

steve ayers with daughter and melody

Memorial scholarship fund to serve as final curtain call for theatre professor, director

A final curtain call for Stephen Michael Ayers, a former WCU theatre professor and director, is in the works through the establishment of an endowed scholarship in his memory.  

Bob Roberts2

Asheville banking executive devotes gifts of time, talent, treasure to WCU

Bob Roberts recently launched a new endowed scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to future students from the 16 westernmost counties of North Carolina who want to study in WCU’s College of Business.  

dan robinson 1

Former WCU football players kick off endowed scholarship fund in memory of their coach, Dan Robinson

Several former Catamount football players from the late 1950s through the early 1970s recently kicked off an effort to establish a new endowed scholarship fund at Western Carolina University in memory of their late coach, McDaniel “Dan” Robinson, who died in February 2022 at the age of 95.  

ron morrow

New scholarship fund to focus on diversity, inclusion in physical education

Ron Morrow, a 1978 WCU graduate, recently increased the Ronald G. Morrow Endowed Scholarship Fund to $550,000.  

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