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WCU Stories

Members of the Catamount Philanthropy Council display their prize-winning banner from Homecoming 2024.

Catamount Philanthropy Council provides student face for donors, alumni

While thousands of Western Carolina University students benefit annually from the generosity of those who make philanthropic gifts to the institution, a small group is actively working to help increase donations to WCU by providing a student face for friends and alumni.  

George Brown, the Hinshaws and Denise Drury Homewood

Macon County couple endows fund to diversify WCU Fine Art Museum collections

The Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center will be broadening the scope of artists represented in its holdings thanks to contributions from a Macon County couple.  

Jordan-Phillips Field House

Phillips and Jordan Inc. pledges $1 million challenge gift toward WCU athletics facilities upgrades

Phillips and Jordan Inc., a national construction contractor with roots in the Western North Carolina town of Robbinsville and headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, has announced plans to build on its legacy of corporate support for Western Carolina University’s intercollegiate athletics program.  

WCU Legacy Pinning Ceremony

Legacy Pinning ceremony honors family connections to WCU

Nearly 90 new first-year and transfer students at Western Carolina University celebrated the powerful bonds of kinship, tradition and alma mater during an annual ceremony Saturday, Nov. 16, as members of their own families who previously attended WCU presented them with special pins signifying their unique connection to the institution.  

Jim Moore

WCU mourns loss of former Board of Trustees, Foundation chair Jim Moore

The Western Carolina University community is mourning the loss of longtime friend, volunteer leader and donor Jim Moore, who died Monday, Nov. 18, at the age of 87 after a period of declining health.  

Faculty staff giving day featuring Shetland ponies

WCU faculty, staff giving campaign nets nearly 40 new donors

Nearly 40 faculty and staff members now have a new title to go along with their position at Western Carolina University, and that title is “new donor.”  

Fans help fill the truck for Helene relief

Donors provide emergency support to WCU students, faculty, staff affected by Helene

Although the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee avoided any significant damage from the fury of Hurricane Helene as it tore through Western North Carolina in late September, that does not mean that all students, faculty and staff emerged unscathed.  

WCU soccer

GivingTuesday ’24 to focus on increasing Catamount Club membership, athletics facilities

Western Carolina University will be ramping up support for the Catamount athletics program during this year’s edition of GivingTuesday, with a series of challenge gifts designed to help expand membership in the Catamount Club and increase funding for athletics facilities.  

Alumni award winners

WCU honors four prominent alumni at Homecoming 2024

Western Carolina University paused Saturday, Nov. 2, to honor four prominent alumni – a former automotive industry executive who has supported Catamount athletics for decades, an accounting professional with extensive family ties to WCU, an award-winning educator and an up-and-coming public relations practitioner.   

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