Environmental health professionals provide additional, much-needed pandemic care

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a public health crisis of historic portions, with the phrase 'frontline workers' becoming a large part of the daily lexicon. And the Environmental Health Program at Western Carolina University has contributed its fair share of professionals to those ranks at the local, state and national levels.  

Q and A with Ed Holland

Outgoing WCU Alumni Association president gives his thoughts as he ends his time as the 2019-2020 Alumni Association President  

Chancellor, trustees chair respond to protest, racial tensions across US

Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and Bryant Kinney, chair of the WCU Board of Trustees, set aside the business of the university to address the business of the nation in the wake of days of civil unrest across the U.S. following the death of George Floyd and other high-profile racial incidents.  

Distinguished professorships in education, computer info, musical theatre filled by WCU trustees

The WCU Board of Trustees approved the appointment of four new distinguished professors to teach, conduct research and provide community outreach.  

Mountain Heritage Center to provide 'summer camp' packets for pickup

While summer camp programs have been suspended at the Mountain Heritage Center, Western Carolina University’s museum of Appalachian culture will provide 'Step Back in Time' activity and crafts packets to elementary school students on a limited basis.  

College of Engineering and Technology dean joins STEM organizational board

Jeff Ray, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, has been named to the board of directors for FIRST NC, a statewide nonprofit group that works to inspire the next generation of engineers, computer scientists and educators.   

Graduate Annalee Blanks named UNC System Presidential Scholar

Annalee Blanks, a May 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as one of three University of North Carolina System presidential scholars.  

A Promise Fulfilled: David Walton was hired as director of WCU’s African American Studies minor

With the hiring of a director to create an African American Studies minor program, Western Carolina University has come one step closer to fulfilling its promise to add the offering to its curriculum. David Walton, an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, has been named the director of WCU’s African American Studies minor. Walton will begin his new role, which includes being an assistant professor in the Department of History, Aug. 1.  

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BaShaun Smith officially becomes dean of students

After serving as Western Carolina University’s interim associate vice chancellor and dean of students since June 2019, BaShaun H.L. Smith had the interim tag removed May 1, allowing him to take on a position he said he has spent his entire career preparing for.