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WCU Stories

Alumna Danita Johnson

WNBA’s Sparks turn to alumna as team’s next president and COO

When Danita Johnson left the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks to become the director of business development and later the director of business operations for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers in 2017, she had no idea it would be a temporary move. Little did the 2005 Western Carolina University graduate know at the time that she soon would return to the Sparks as the team’s president and chief operating officer, a move that was made official Jan. 7.  

Kevin Rumley

Alumni and Veteran Finds Peace After 'Journey of a Million Steps'

Graduating veteran finds peace after 'journey of a million steps' | Graduated, enlisted, blown up, hospitalized, released, addicted, homeless, hopeless, rescued, enrolled, graduated, employed, enrolled, graduated, honored, redeemed. Read between those lines a minute, and listen...  

Mark Haskett Alumnus of the Month

Mark Haskett Alumnus of the Month

Meet our Alumni of the Month: Jim Beddingfield! He graduated from WCU in Summer 1987 with Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.  

Tyler McKenzie in New York City

Giving Back is a Given for Alumnus and Broadway Performer

If ever there was a Western Carolina University graduate who was living his dream, it would be Tyler McKenzie. McKenzie, a 2013 graduate from WCU's School of Stage and Screen, is traveling across the country, dancing and singing as a member of the ensemble in the second national tour of the Broadway hit "Hamilton."  

J. Alan Goggins in the lab

Alumnus J. Alan Goggins Hurdles His Way to Success

If J. Alan Goggins’ life were a track and field event, it would definitely be the hurdles. And Goggins would be a world-class hurdler. Goggins recently completed his postdoctoral research and has landed a postdoctoral fellowship at Merck Pharmaceuticals, where he will work with the company’s vaccine bioanalytics team. He’s come a long way since flunking out of community college 11 years ago, and he credits his success to WCU.  

Donna Winbon

Donna Winbon: We all have the power to make an impact on the next generation

In 1980, I graduated from Western Carolina University. I was an average student with a modest background and a deep appreciation for the faculty and staff who helped me get through four years of college. I knew even then that my time at WCU had prepared me for a good life, but I had no grand vision of becoming rich or famous.  

John Connet Alumnus of the Month

John Connet Alumnus of the Month

Meet our Alumni of the Month: John Connet! He graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with a minor in Geography and Regional Planning.  

Mark Chapman Alumnus of the Month

Mark Chapman Alumnus of the Month

Meet our Alumni of the Month: Mark Chapman! He graduated from WCU in the summer of 1984 with a BSBA in Marketing.   

Soccer Alumni

Soccer lovers keep kickin’ long after game is over

It’s for the love of the game that former members of WCU’s men’s soccer team keep coming back to campus to see former teammates, play a little soccer and raise money for the WCU soccer program.   

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