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WCU Stories

Jamie Wallen (left) works with a chemistry student

Two faculty members receive competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health

Two Western Carolina University faculty members have received coveted R15 grants from the National Institutes of Health, which will significantly enhance research initiatives in the region.  

Alex Fields and Travis Frazier

Sense of community inspires WCU staff member to establish annual scholarship fund

The sense of community discovered by staff member Alexandra M. Fields upon her arrival at Western Carolina University seven years ago inspired her to establish an annual scholarship fund to help attract future students from her hometown to WCU.  

WCU STEM day

WCU hosts second annual STEM event for WNC students

Western Carolina University recently held its second annual STEM Outreach Day for students from around Western North Carolina.  

WCU homecoming parade in downtown Sylva

WCU to paint downtown Sylva purple, kick off Homecoming weekend Nov. 1

Western Carolina University alumni will paint the town purple Friday, Nov. 1, during a downtown Sylva Catamount takeover to launch Homecoming 2024 weekend.  

Aaron Hoyle-Rivera poses for photo on campus at WCU

Family heritage inspires SGA president Aaron Hoyle-Rivera to dream big, work hard

Western Carolina University student Aaron Hoyle-Rivera, a senior from Shelby studying psychology, criminal justice and criminology, hit the ground running when he came to campus in fall 2022.   

Jay and Susan Strum

UNC Board of Governors appoints Susan Strum to WCU Board of Trustees

Western Carolina University alumna Susan Strum has been appointed to WCU’s Board of Trustees.  

Blacksmith Brock Martin demonstration

WCU alumnus and ‘Forged in Fire’ contestant Brock Martin visits campus for blacksmithing demo

“Strike while the iron is hot” is an old saying about taking an opportunity while you have it. Timm Muth, alumnus and professor of practice in Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology, took that saying literally when he invited master blacksmith Brock Martin, a 2010 graduate of Western Carolina University, to campus to demonstrate blacksmithing to students in his introductory material science course.   

rooted logo

WCU to host 14th annual Rooted in the Mountains Symposium

The 14th annual Rooted in the Mountains Symposium is a two-day event aimed at exposing attendees to the interwoven relationships between climate, health, traditional knowledge and the indigenous worldview.  

Financial wellness flyer

WCU College of Business, Financial Aid Office launch student financial wellness program

A faculty member from the Western Carolina University College of Business has teamed up with staff in the WCU Office of Financial Aid to develop a pilot program to help young adults improve their financial literacy skills.  

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