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WCU Stories

Dwight Ryland

Colorado couple endows scholarship in effort to save environment through education

Dwight Ryland has seen some glorious views in his day, having climbed all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot mountains — some of them more than once—and skied his native state’s majestic slopes. But a dark cloud on the horizon has redirected his gaze and nudged the 77-year-old Ryland to put his money where his heart is: saving the environment through education.  

Terry Price Alumnus of the Month

Terry Price Alumnus of the Month

Meet our Alumni of the Month: Terry Price! He graduated from WCU in 1967 with a B.A. in Social Science with a concentration in Political Science. He also had taken several business courses and returned in the summer of 1971 to take additional business courses.  

Keith Elliott Alumnus of the Month

Keith Elliott Alumnus of the Month

Meet our Alumni of the Month: Keith Elliott! He graduated from WCU twice once in June 1969, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, General Management and again in June 1973, with a Master of Business Administration in General Management.  

Keion Crossen

A Coaches' Determination Helps Define a Student's Story

“My decision to come to Western Carolina was solely based on him [Coach Mark Speir],” Crossen said. “He was a great guy when he came to talk to me in Garysburg. He drove down there in the snow. That speaks volumes. I really appreciate what he’s done for me and the chance he gave me to play at the Division I level at Western. Now, I guess I’m helping the program a little with recruiting."  

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.  

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