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WCU Stories

Jackson County Courthouse

Roger Smoker, Jackson County Public Libraries named 2025 Mountain Heritage Award recipients

Western Carolina University will honor the recipients of the 2025 Mountain Heritage Awards during the Mountain Heritage Days Afternoon Concert, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Bardo Arts Center.  

Images courtesy of IMG Artists, Ex Machina, Côté Danse, and Dvoretsky Productions. Image taken by Matt Barnes.

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark comes to Bardo Arts Center

Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University is delighted to host a must-see dance event captivating audiences everywhere, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, produced by Ex Machina, Côté Danse, and Dvoretsky Productions, live on Friday, Sept.19, 2025, at 7:30 pm.   

Battle of the bands logo

Alumni participation sought for WCU Battle of the Bands competition

Perhaps you are a Western Carolina University alumnus who performed in a musical group back in your college days and who has been thinking about getting the band back together. Or maybe your band is still playing today, cranking the amps up to 11.  

WCU student Ethan Naggiar

School of Stage and Screen earns NCTC award, set for spring musical

Western Carolina University School of Stage and Screen director Tory Depew sits in her office every day with a sense of gratitude.   

Current cat eyes design

The hills have eyes

A fresh set of eyes finds a new generation of Catamounts. More than 30 years after Paws’ billboard debut, designers at Western Carolina University continue to update the much beloved symbol off U.S. 23.   

WCU students on Project CARE ski trip

Fund for WCU supports cultural, educational programming to improve student retention

With the help of $5,000 in funding from the 1889 Impact Grants Program, Western Carolina University’s Office of Intercultural Affairs increased cultural and educational programming and enhanced efforts to support student success and retention.  

WCU students pose for photo during literary festival

Donations to Fund for WCU support student writing contest at annual literary festival

Western Carolina University’s Department of English Studies hosted a creative writing competition with divisions for North Carolina high school students and WCU undergraduate and graduate students as part of its annual Spring Literary Festival.  

Student artwork

Fund for WCU supports library’s student art contest; winners now on display

Western Carolina University students participated in an art competition focused on the university’s 2023-2024 campus theme of “Community and Belonginess” hosted by Hunter Library, which now has the winning entries on display.  

George Brown

George H. Brown to retire as dean of Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at WCU after a decade of leadership

After ten years of serving as Western Carolina University’s dean of Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts, George H. Brown is retiring.  

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