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WCU Stories

Zapps at WCU athletics banquet

Couple who met at WCU orientation make ‘Fill the Western Sky’ leadership gift to athletics

Back in 2012, Western Carolina University graduates Jonathan Zapp and Brittany Bennefield provided a different interpretation of their alma mater’s status as “an engaged institution” when they had their engagement photographs taken on campus with Paws, the Catamount mascot.  

Chancellor Brown and the Darnells

Mountain Heritage Awards now accepting nominations

Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Mountain Heritage Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich cultural traditions and history of Southern Appalachia.   

Drew Marx with his dormclaw

Construction management student invents ‘Dormclaw’

Drew Marx just wanted somewhere to hang his backpack in his room at Western Carolina University when he came up with the idea for the Dormclaw, a compact, hook-like device that fits into the unused slots of standard college bed frames.  

WCU student works on engineering machine

College of Engineering to offer ACE Machining Bootcamps this summer

Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology will offer two America’s Cutting Edge Machining Bootcamps this summer, completely free of charge.   

Chancellor Brown christens

EMS holds christening event for new ambulance

The Western Carolina University Emergency Medical Service is among the oldest collegiate EMS services in the country. This year marks the service’s 60-year anniversary, which WCU health services director Pam Buchanan hopes will be a time of celebration.  

Hank Henderson and son Benny

Alumnus Hank Henderson applies WCU guidance to job, pays it forward

Hank Henderson likens his place of work to where he went to college.   

NCSL student members

Student legislature takes home “best delegation” at Raleigh general assembly

Western Carolina University’s chapter of the North Carolina Student Legislature was less than a year old when it took home the statewide title of “best delegation” this April.   

WCU students at Star Party

WCU astronomers lead 13th annual statewide star party

Western Carolina University astronomers brought stargazers of all ages to the Cashiers plateau earlier this spring, where the night burned bright for the 13th annual Statewide Star Party.   

Peter Koch talking to a group of students

Peter Koch promoted to associate director of Mountain Heritage Center

Effective May 1, Peter Koch was promoted from the position of museum education associate to associate director of Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center.  

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