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WCU Stories

Johnny and Dawn Day

Alumni couple establish endowment for parks, rec program

A husband and wife with degrees from the Parks and Recreation Management Program at Western Carolina University have established an endowed fund to support students who are following in their footsteps at their alma mater and to equip PRM professors with additional resources.  

WCU Foundation Board members

New faces join WCU Foundation Board; departing members recognized

Three new members have joined the Western Carolina University Foundation Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, while four departing board members were recently recognized for their service and contributions.  

Chancellor Brown talks about the trophy

Annual faculty-staff giving challenge resumes this fall

An annual effort to encourage faculty and staff members to make financial contributions to Western Carolina University is now underway, including the resumption of a friendly competition among campus divisions and academic colleges.  

Paxton Myers, Dana Boyer and Chancellor Kelli Brown

‘Fill the Western Sky’ contribution feels like a promise to Catamount couple

For Paxton Myers and Dana Boyer, longtime supporters of Western Carolina University’s athletics program, giving back to their alma mater feels like more than just making financial contributions. It also feels like keeping a promise.  

Janet Oppenheimer

Retired PR professional creates endowment to support WCU students

A public relations professional who has served as a mentor in the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University is now providing support to students in a different way by establishing a new endowment fund to enhance access to extracurricular and professional development activities.  

Bethany Davidson, a faculty member in the entrepreneurship program at Western Carolina University, serves as mentor for a group project.

Retired professor creates faculty mentorship endowment in College of Business

A retired professor in Western Carolina University’s College of Business has created an endowment fund that will provide resources for mentorship programs for current faculty members within the college.  

Michael and Rebecca Schlosser photographed in 2019

A gift of hope: Supporting students in their mental health journey

Universities and colleges across the United States are finding that an ever-increasing number of students on their campuses are dealing with a variety of mental health issues, ranging from anxiety and depression to thoughts of suicide.  

Killian Building

Alec Harris named development director for College of Education, Allied Professions

Alexander “Alec” Harris, former recreation and events supervisor for the municipality of Jersey Village, Texas, is the new director of development for Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions.  

Members of Lambda Chi Alpha

WCU Greek Challenge nets $1.5 million for Catamount Club; winners announced

Members of Western Carolina University fraternities and sororities contributed more than $1.5 million to the Catamount Club during the 2024-2025 edition of the Greek Challenge, an annual competition to see which organizations can raise the most money in support of the university’s athletics program.  

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