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WCU Stories

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Students engage in undergraduate research across disciplines

Western Carolina University has many opportunities for students to conduct undergraduate research across various disciplines. Students are able to engage in projects that deepen their understanding of course material and build essential skills for future endeavors.  

Blue Ridge Parkway mountain range

Restoring through research: WCU professors help rebuild after Helene

Hurricane Helene stormed into North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 27 and wreaked unprecedented havoc over the following three days. Thousands of homes and miles of roadways were swept away by the floodwaters. Tens of thousands more homes were damaged, displacing families. Waterways became clogged with debris and structures such as bridges, levees, and culverts sustained heavy damage. Updated estimates indicate the hurricane caused $59.6 billion in damage.   

Bora Karayaka

WCU professor secures $3 million in scholarships for students entering nuclear engineering field

Bora Karayaka, a professor at Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology, has secured $3 million in scholarship funding from the Department of Energy through the University Nuclear Leadership Program.  

Keith Gibbs holds a sicklefin redhorse

Gibbs earns grant worth nearly $40K for sicklefin redhorse research

Inside Keith Gibbs’ office hangs an imprint of a sicklefin redhorse, a sucker fish that the Western Carolina University assistant professor in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources takes great interest in.   

WCU student interns

SECU Public Fellowships Internship Program at WCU earns grant for new year

The State Employees Credit Union Public Fellowships Internship Program has been a mainstay at Western Carolina University for the past few years. And thanks to a grant, the program will continue to thrive in 2025.  

Debra Burke

Burke receives $235K grant to continue agricultural mediation programs

The North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program and the Farm Agricultural Resources and Mediation of Virginia have been two mainstays at Western Carolina University for a while now.   

Hunter Library

Thompson earns SLNC grant for Hunter Library kiosks

The vast number of resources Hunter Library at Western Carolina University has is profound. But thanks to a grant, navigating the treasure trove of knowledge will be a bit easier for students.  

machine shop at wcu

College of Engineering and Technology awarded $524,000 grant from IACMI to fund machining education

Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology recently received a $524,000 grant from the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation to fund a computer numerical control (CNC) machining program.  

Sarah Parsons works on bee pollinator garden

Sarah Parsons continues campus pollinators work with UNC MRI grant

While insects have gotten a bad rap as “creepy crawlies” to be squished or stepped on, humanity is highly dependent on them. Many insects are integral to pollination, which is crucial to the survival of plant ecosystems and crops that keep people fed.   

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