WCU Stories      March 12, 2025

By Matt Salerno

Western Carolina University double alumnus and best-selling author David Joy will give the keynote address at the annual Research and Scholarship Conference at WCU on Wednesday, March 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ramsey Regional Activity Center.

Following the keynote address by Joy, RASC will hold the annual Undergraduate Exposition and Graduate Research Symposium’s fine arts exhibits and poster presentations on the Ramsey Center concourse from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A celebration reception will be provided.

On the same day, WCU students will share oral presentations in the A.K. Hinds University Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All events listed above are open to the public with free admission.

David Joy is the author of five novels, each of which takes place in Jackson County.  His writing explores the land, culture, and history of the region and celebrates the people of Appalachia, embodying the WCU Campus theme of WNC Mountain Life. 

The campus theme highlights the importance of wellbeing through the connection between nature and the cultural heritage of the region. Joy’s keynote address titled A Mountain Knotted Together: Researching and Capturing the Inseparability of People and Place, will center on a literary approach to research in his writing process. 

The Undergraduate Exposition and Graduate Research Symposium Poster Presentations that will follow Joy’s Keynote Address embody the breadth of WCU’s research community.  RASC allows students from all disciplines to share their research on various subjects. 

One of those students is Jaslyn Stamey, a graduate student receiving her master’s degree in biology.  She conducted research on the La Cross virus, a neuroinvasive disease endemic to western North Carolina.  Her poster shows the research she conducted on how mosquitoes transmit the virus and how to reduce contact with those mosquitoes in residential neighborhoods.

Another is Kelly McCarthy, a graduate student working towards a masters of school administration.  McCarthy conducted research on how to reduce emotional fatigue in sixth grade teachers in Asheville schools in the wake of Hurricane Helene.  Many teachers have experienced compassion fatigue while assisting in recovery efforts within their communities on top of meeting the normal educational, social, and emotional needs of their students. 

Isabella Barger is a junior majoring in Emergency and Disaster Management.  She did research to identify and contextualize the social vulnerabilities in southern Appalachia that worsen the impacts and response of catastrophic flooding.  These vulnerabilities can include a variety of demographic and socioeconomic factors that range from types of housing and accessible transportation to level of education and income. Barger’s family has lived in Southern Appalachia for multiple generations. 

“This personal connection was further amplified when we were once again impacted by tropical system induced flooding via Helene in 2024,” Barger said. “I had selected my research topic only 3 weeks prior and decided not to alter my plans and to continue with the research.”

The research of these students is tied to the community and the region, just like Joy’s work is.  For the first time, 9 WCU professors from the College of Health and Human Sciences will present posters alongside the 100+ student posters.  RASC’s commitment to research for all braids the campus research mission and the university’s commitment to community engagement.

The keynote address is sponsored by the Graduate School and Research, the Office of the Provost, Hunter Library and the Brinson Honors College. 

RASC highlights WCU’s commitment to support and encourage research and scholarship of students and faculty.  All students, both undergraduates and graduates, get an opportunity to share their scholarly research findings at this annual event.  RASC also offers faculty an opportunity to share their research in the annual Three-Minute Research Competition which takes place on March 20, 2025, 11 a.m. To 12 p.m. at the A.K. Hinds University Center Grand room. 

For more information about this flagship event, visit research.wcu.edu/rasc or contact Suzanne Melton, research programs coordinator, at scmelton@wcu.edu.