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WCU Stories

Martin Schemdt on a construction site

From Graduate Student to Project Engineer

Martin Schmedt MCM ’18, project engineer for WCU’s Apodaca Science Building, spent hours drawing plans for dream houses as a child. “After drawing so many, I began to envision building them for my friends and family,” Schmedt said.  

Frankie Bauer

Alumni explores historical, cultural, political and personal connections that cross tribal designations

Frankie Bauer came to Western Carolina University in 2016 to pursue a master’s degree in history. A member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Bauer concentrated on Cherokee Studies, defending his thesis and earning his degree in fall 2018.  

Ed Lopez

CSFE examines state’s prospects for economic recovery after pandemic

The Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at has issued an assessment of economic recovery, sustainability and growth in North Carolina following the pandemic.  

Panoramic image of the installation

Place - Hybrid Space

Two practicing artists from two different cultures - India and the United States - came together to collaborate on a temporal experience of visual language. “Place – Hybrid Space” is a series of diptychs, which combines two images into one frame; a juxtaposition of surface space and atmospheric space, drawings positioned on photographs, for impressions of southeastern India.  

BaShaun Smith with a mask and text that says Essential WCU

Essential WCU

We successfully wrapped up one of the most difficult semesters in our university’s history and began a new one with many known and unknown challenges ahead. Our employees and students have worked harder than ever amid the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve their goals and to make a positive difference in the world.  

Dawn Brown at a conference table

Master of Project Management puts IT employee on a path of upward trajectory

A few years back, Western Carolina University’s Division of Information Technology added a project management office. Because IT employee Dawn Brown worked closely with the project office, she thought it might be beneficial to learn more about project management. She enrolled in WCU’s Master of Project Management (MPM) Program. Not only has it proven to be helpful in her IT role, but Brown said she now has a complete understanding of the entire project management process.  

Parade Day

Communications and marketing team honored by higher ed organization

WCU has been recognized by a national higher educational organization for its work in communication and marketing.  

Dr Yanjun Yan

Dr. Yanjun Yan: An I Love WCU Story

Education. Connection. Heart. - As an educational institution, Western Carolina University faculty utilize their vast resources of knowledge to nurture students, use their time to advance the curriculum offered to students, and work with an educational community to stem new ideas. Yanjun Yan is one of these individuals, but the lessons do not stop in the classroom.  

Faculty and Staff at an I Love WCU celebration

‘I Love WCU’ to celebrate alumni, students and new giving societies

It’s February and that means big love for Western Carolina University during the “I Love WCU” celebration.  

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