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WCU Stories

Kinley Cook

Alumna Kinley Cook brings passion to job as park guide

As a park guide at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland, Kinley Cook’s passion for the outdoors radiates to her visitors. She gets them excited about where they’re at, whether it be by way of the park’s history or showing them a salamander that’s sitting under a random rock along its trail.   

WCU One Day for Western event

Gifts from all 50 states help WCU hit ‘One Day for Western’ goal of 1,200 donors

The final numbers are in for the third annual “One Day for Western,” an all-in day of giving designed to help generate additional financial support for multiple priorities at Western Carolina University.  

WCU faculty present during RASC

RASC brings students, faculty, alumni together in scholarship celebration

The 2025 Research and Scholarship Conference at Western Carolina University took place March 19 and 20 where students, faculty and the community came together to celebrate the academic endeavors of participants.  

WCU student Ethan Naggiar

School of Stage and Screen earns NCTC award, set for spring musical

Western Carolina University School of Stage and Screen director Tory Depew sits in her office every day with a sense of gratitude.   

Monica Henson and her family

$100k Gift from alumna to support English majors and student media organizations

Future students majoring in English studies and participating in student media organizations at Western Carolina University will be eligible for financial assistance made possible by a planned gift of $100,000 from a WCU alumna who has enjoyed a lengthy career in the education profession.  

WCU football home game

Brittany Kicklighter named director of development for athletics major gifts

Western Carolina University has announced the appointment of Brittany Kicklighter as the new director of development for athletics major gifts.  

Cora Haste

Student spotlight: Senior Cora Haste impacts others through various roles

As an Entourage tour guide, Cora Haste is the face of Western Carolina University to a group of strangers for about a couple of hours.   

Ballparks and Brews from 2024

Play ball! WCU pitches new ‘Ballparks and Brews Tour’ for alumni, friends

The Western Carolina University Office of Alumni Engagement is stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a new summer event designed to bring together members of the Catamount family at baseball stadiums across North and South Carolina.  

Melanie and John Davis with a scholarship recipient

Tour of WCU athletics facilities spurs fundraising campaign gift

A behind-the-scenes tour of Western Carolina University's aging athletics facilities inspired a longtime supporter of the university’s academic programs to direct some of his philanthropy toward Catamount student-athletes.  

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