Skip to main content

WCU Stories

Annalee Blanks

Alumna Annalee Blanks named UNC System Presidential Scholar

Annalee Blanks, a May 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as one of three University of North Carolina System presidential scholars. Blanks, who graduated from WCU in three years with a bachelor of science degrees in history and political science, and a certificate in public history, will begin her one-year appointment in July.  

Ed Holland

Q and A with Ed Holland

Outgoing WCU Alumni Association president gives his thoughts as he ends his time as the 2019-2020 Alumni Association President  

feature-image

Graduate Annalee Blanks named UNC System Presidential Scholar

Annalee Blanks, a May 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as one of three University of North Carolina System presidential scholars.  

Elizabeth Watson in her classroom

‘Gifted’ graduate grateful for opportunity to maximize her students’ learning

When Elizabeth Watson decided she wanted a master’s degree in education to better serve her gifted students, she didn’t have to look far for inspiration. “My sister attended Western Carolina University and graduated with a degree in special education. To this day, she is the best special education teacher I've ever seen,” said Watson, who graduated in May with a master’s degree in special education with a focus on gifted education. “I chose to attend WCU for the simple fact that I thought, ‘Well, they must be doing something right at this university.’”  

Dawn Neatherly.

The Mountains had Her at Hello

Dawn Neatherly was a precocious 11-year-old from Morganton when she first set foot on Western Carolina University’s campus in 1974 to attend the Cullowhee Experience, a four-week enrichment camp for academically and intellectually gifted students.  

Neal Andrews

May alumnus of the month has head and heart for teaching, and for WCU

When Neal Andrews takes over as president of Western Carolina University’s Alumni Association on July 1, don’t be surprised if he pulls a few tricks out of his award-winning teacher’s bag to work his magic on his beloved Catamount Nation. After all, once a teacher, always a teacher, no matter how old the students are.  

Read His Story  

Joseph Love

Online Master's Degree Program in Construction Management Builds a Career

A few years ago, Joseph Love, now a construction coordinator for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, looked at Western Carolina University and its master's degree program in construction management as the curriculum he wanted and the career-building block he needed.  

Irene Hamrick

Medical director fights COVID-19 with legacy of tenacity

As news broke that a deadly international virus was churning its way across the United States and killing the country’s most vulnerable population, Dr. Irene Hamrick wasted no time in battening down the hatches to protect her patients at a Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home in Ohio.   

Spencer Childers in cap and gown

Undeniable

When Spencer Childers decided to attend Western Carolina University four years ago, he couldn’t possibly anticipate the roller coaster ride he would take.  

Office of Web Services