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WCU Stories

Sarah Carpenter

WCU graduate student receives Fullerton Medical Scholarship Award

Sarah Carpenter is a firm believer in paying it forward, which is why she and her husband make it point to always give back to their community. So, when Carpenter recently learned she was the recipient of the Fullerton Medical Scholarship Award, the Western Carolina University nurse practitioner graduate student said it was a result of her commitment to giving.   

Tom Friazer

It’s ‘stop the presses’ for WCU’s longtime print shop director

It seems the stars were aligned for Tom Frazier to live a life of paper and ink, of milestones and memories, of students and their dreams. Even he will acknowledge the ease with which new doors opened as others closed, always leading him to places that seemed to need him most.   

Bill Studenc

WCU ‘spin daddy’ is hanging up his reporter’s notebook

Our December Alumni Spotlight: Bill Studenc - In 1988, Ronald Reagan was president, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister of the United Kingdom and Bill Studenc started working at Western Carolina University in what was then called the Office of Public Information.   

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Congratulations Class of 2020 from the WCU Alumni Family

Welcome to the Catamount Alumni family graduates from the class of 2020! We're so proud of you! Go Cats!  

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Welcome to the WCU Alumni Family, Class of 2020

WCU Alumni from across the Catamount family welcome the newest graduates from the class of 2020.  

Forsyth Building

Alumni from Business Administration and Law Program elected as district judges across state

When the job description includes the words “your honor,” you know the role is one of importance. That certainly is the case for three alumni elected to state district court seats in the recent 2020 election.   

Salem Parris

CEAP alumna rises to pandemic challenge as first-year teacher, wins county award

Salem Parris, a 2019 alumna of the College of Education and Allied Professions, was selected as Haywood County’s 2020 Beginning Teacher of the Year.  

Kenyata

First-Generation Student, Kenyatta Fortune Prospers in Graduate School

In December, Kenyatta Fortune will become a three-time graduate of Western Carolina University. Doing so didn’t come without facing significant challenges. “The dynamics are different,” Fortune said. “While the professors provide guidance, encouragement and support, the student is given full autonomy in setting personal timelines, meeting agendas and maintaining contact with milestone updates on their thesis research.”  

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Hank Henderson and Chancellor Belcher lead the Freshman Run

Young Alumnus of the Month: Hank Henderson

For Hank Henderson 17’, there was never a question if he would stay engaged with Western Carolina University once he graduated.   

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