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WCU Stories

paysour with student

Additional donations boost estate gift, enable patron to see impact on parks, rec students

Michael G. Paysour, a 1974 graduate of WCU, wanted to see firsthand the impact of his philanthropy and meet the young people he was helping.  

glacier mountain national park

WCU Catamount Adventures travel series bound for Montana

With the inaugural trip of a recently launched travel series sponsored by the Division of Advancement about to embark, plans are now underway for this year’s second excursion – a cross-continental journey to Montana.  

abby Bentley 2

Alumna is North Carolina’s Beginning Teacher of the Year

Abby Bentley worked as a research scientist after her undergraduate studies. In the field, she was concerned with environmental toxicology – she would test water near agriculture sites for certain pollutants.   

john martin playing

Ex-football player makes $150K gift to WCU athletics facilities after tour reveals few upgrades in 40 years

When John S. Martin returns to WCU in the fall to watch a college football game, the former four-year starter on the Catamount offensive line notices that E.J. Whitmire Stadium looks much like it did during his playing days in the late 1980s.  

hbs interior

Highlands Biological Station receives $150,000 gift to continue renovation of historic building

A nearly 100-year-old building at WCU’s Highlands Biological Station is receiving a new lease on life thanks in part to a recent contribution of $150,000 from a Highlands resident   

One Day for Western

Second annual ‘One Day for Western’ set for April 3

The 24-hour fundraising event is designed to benefit all areas of the university by inviting members of the WCU community to make donations to the institutional priorities that mean the most to them.  

arbor day

‘I Love WCU Month’ is set for February including ‘Cats Give Back’ service weekend

February brings “I Love WCU Month,” a time for the WCU family to express affection for the institution and to participate in community service activities to benefit worthy causes.  

grattan gift tad susan

Former WCU tennis player serves up $1 million fundraising campaign gift

A former tennis player and his wife have served up an ace for the Catamount athletics program in the form of a $1 million contribution to the university’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign.  

clay cox playing days

Former Catamount kicker splits the uprights with $100k in support for fundraising effort

John Clayton “Clay” Cox, a 1991 graduate of WCU, has made gifts and pledges totaling $100,000 to help improve athletics facilities at his alma mater.   

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