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WCU Stories

Whee Belong Hickory gathering

The Fund for WCU supports ‘Whee Belong’ gatherings for distance ed students

The Office of Distance Learning at Western Carolina University used $7,000 in 1889 Impact Grants Program funding to host in-person events during the spring of 2024 to bring together distance learning students, most of whom take courses fully online, are 25 or older, work full-time, and have families and lives beyond school.  

Patient being seen in Vecinos Clinic

Vecinos clinic receives tech upgrade through donations to Fund for WCU

Health care providers in the primary care clinic area of Western Carolina University’s Health and Human Sciences Building are now able to take advantage of upgraded technology to help meet the needs of the patients they serve.  

Catamount Club members

Catamount Club announces changes to Greek Challenge fundraiser, sets membership deadlines

Western Carolina University’s Catamount Club is announcing some changes to the popular Greek Challenge, which has been one of the club’s largest annual fundraising campaigns since its inception in 2014, and issuing a reminder of membership deadlines.  

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.  

WCU faculty and staff in Ecuador

Students, faculty expand literacy improvement efforts in Ecuador with support from Fund for WCU

Students and faculty from Western Carolina University’s College of Education and Allied Professions expanded ongoing efforts to improve literacy in rural communities of the Andes Mountains of Ecuador using educational materials purchased through an 1889 Impact Grant of $1,500.  

WCU football home game

WCU announces historic $100 million goal for ‘Fill the Western Sky’ fundraising campaign

Western Carolina University officially kicked off the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s 136-year history, an effort to secure $100 million in philanthropic support with a focus on increasing the financial resources necessary for long-delayed upgrades in facilities used by Catamount student-athletes.  

Alumna takes a selfie with Paws

Purple and Gold Alumni Weekend set for July 25-27

The revamped Purple and Gold Alumni Weekend, a new twist on a time-honored tradition for Western Carolina University alumni, is returning to the Cullowhee campus this summer after last year’s successful relaunch.  

WCU faculty members with Steve Lillard and Chris Hatton

Fund for WCU supports symposium on intersection of policing, social work

More than 65 judges, prosecutors, behavioral health workers and representatives from law enforcement agencies across the mountains gathered earlier this year at Western Carolina University for conversations about the root causes of issues that lead to interactions with police in Western North Carolina.   

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