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Photo of Munene Mwaniki

Munene Mwaniki named WCU interim Global Black Studies director

Mwaniki, an associate professor of anthropology and sociology for the College of Arts and Sciences, was named the interim Global Black Studies director at WCU.  

Lisa Briggs (right) works with a HRD K-9 and handler at a WCU training.

WCU human remains detection expert Lisa Briggs debunks false HRD K-9 information surrounding Hurricane Helene recovery efforts

Lisa Briggs, director of Western Carolina University’s Human Remains Detection K-9 training program and Emergency Disaster Management program, and Edwin Grant, an HRD K-9 program instructor and long-time law enforcement officer, have been deployed with their HRD K-9s since the start of the recovery process for missing persons in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene's devastation.   

Julie Miller Denesha

Julie Miller Denesha joins WCU Advancement to support College of Engineering, Technology

Julie Miller Denesha, former associate director of athletics for development at Western Carolina University, has joined the WCU Division of Advancement as director of development and corporate partnerships for the College of Engineering and Technology.  

Phil and Connie Haire

WCU mourns loss of longtime supporter, former legislator Phil Haire

The Western Carolina University community is mourning the loss of longtime friend, advocate and donor Phil Haire, who died Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the age of 88 after a period of declining health.  

Jamie Wallen (left) works with a chemistry student

Two faculty members receive competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health

Two Western Carolina University faculty members have received coveted R15 grants from the National Institutes of Health, which will significantly enhance research initiatives in the region.  

WCU STEM day

WCU hosts second annual STEM event for WNC students

Western Carolina University recently held its second annual STEM Outreach Day for students from around Western North Carolina.  

WCU homecoming parade in downtown Sylva

WCU to paint downtown Sylva purple, kick off Homecoming weekend Nov. 1

Western Carolina University alumni will paint the town purple Friday, Nov. 1, during a downtown Sylva Catamount takeover to launch Homecoming 2024 weekend.  

Jay and Susan Strum

UNC Board of Governors appoints Susan Strum to WCU Board of Trustees

Western Carolina University alumna Susan Strum has been appointed to WCU’s Board of Trustees.  

Blacksmith Brock Martin demonstration

WCU alumnus and ‘Forged in Fire’ contestant Brock Martin visits campus for blacksmithing demo

“Strike while the iron is hot” is an old saying about taking an opportunity while you have it. Timm Muth, alumnus and professor of practice in Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology, took that saying literally when he invited master blacksmith Brock Martin, a 2010 graduate of Western Carolina University, to campus to demonstrate blacksmithing to students in his introductory material science course.   

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