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WCU Stories

student life fall

For North Carolina high school students, applying early to WCU can really pay off

A new pilot program at Western Carolina University, called Catamount Commitment, will provide new first-year students from North Carolina with varying levels of annual award money based on their high school GPA.   

Kevin Rumley and Jamie Vaske

Creating courts where no veteran is left behind

Jamie Vaske, a criminal justice professor, helped create Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court. She will now help lead a study exploring how effective such courts are at helping struggling veterans in the criminal justice system achieve stability.  

Design for Health

A healthier community, by design

In a Design for Health Initiative, students and professors from five academic disciplines are exploring how the built environment affects quality of life for older adults living in poverty in Jackson County, and ways it can be improved.  

Bob Roberts2

Asheville banking executive devotes gifts of time, talent, treasure to WCU

Bob Roberts recently launched a new endowed scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to future students from the 16 westernmost counties of North Carolina who want to study in WCU’s College of Business.  

alexa lockhart 3

Internship offers on-the-job experience with community impact

A paid summer internship program pairs students with local nonprofits and community organizations in a partnership that helps each of them succeed and benefits the community at large.  

true group

Rural-urban student teacher exchange awarded grant

A $5,000 grant will help boost an educator preparation exchange program between WCU and North Carolina A and T State University.  

cullowhee native plant conference

Annual native plant conference returns to campus

WCU will host the annual Cullowhee Native Plant Conference, bringing an international contingent of botanists and gardening enthusiasts to campus, July 20-23.  

nursing envision

School of Nursing combines outreach, experiential learning with community service

Five nursing students, one faculty member and two alumni assist Great Faith Vision, a national Christian mission group, in operating a pop-up medical clinic, which for the time being will offer free vision care for young and old.  

mini mhd

Mountain Heritage Center to present ‘mini’ Mountain Heritage Day-style event

The Mountain Heritage Center will hold a crafts demonstration and music performance on campus Wednesday, July 20.   

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