Post Graduation 2019
The success of our graduates doesn't stop once they walk across the stage. They'll continue to learn, grow, and push themselves to succeed on all sorts of stages and fields of study. Discover what a few of our graduates are doing after they graduate as they reminisce on their favorite memories at Western Carolina University.
Mariah Youmans
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Communication Science & Disorders
Post Graduation: After graduation, I will be attending Graduate School at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro to pursue her Master in Speech Pathology.
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite WCU memory is studying abroad in Spain. That trip was a defining moment of my life and it taught me so much about loving the little things in life.
Aaron Brown
Degree: Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Commercial & Electronic Music
Post Graduation: The Saturday after graduation, I'm getting married (my fiance Emma Schaefer is also graduating with a BS in Music)! We'll be living in the Waynesville area, I will be playing as much live music as I can, taking as many photos as I can, and serving coffee! The end goal is to move to Nashville in a year or so, to play music and take photos. I'm excited!
Favorite Memory at WCU: I would have to say my favorite WCU memory is marching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2014 with Pride of the Mountains. It was completely surreal.
Savannah Matherly
Degree: Master of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs
Post Graduation: I will be moving to New Orleans, LA to begin my career in Student Affairs as a Resident Director for Housing and Residence Life at Tulane University.
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite WCU memory has been having the privilege these past two years to supervise the most amazing and inspirational Resident Assistants I have ever encountered. The 20 RAs I have supervised have taught me so much and have helped me develop into the student affairs professional I am today.
Rae Whitley
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Communication
Post Graduation: After graduation I will be moving to South Carolina to teach elementary school.
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite memory at Western would be hanging out in the Intercultural Affairs with friends and family!
Tyler Wright
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and International Studies with a minor in TESOL.
Post Graduation: In July I will be moving to Daegu, South Korea to teach English as a second language.
Favorite Memory at WCU: I would say studying abroad in Valparaíso, Chile. That’s not technically a WCU memory, but WCU gave me that opportunity!
Brooke Burns
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor in Chemistry
Post Graduation: I will be attending NC State's College of Veterinary Medicine in the fall in pursuit of my doctorate in veterinary medicine!
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite memory is meeting the love of my life at late night at the cafeteria freshman year.
Katie Sapp
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
Post Graduation: I’ll be going to Brenau University for my DPT starting May 13.
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite memory at WCU is going to the home football games with my friends.
Jared Horton
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Post Graduation: After graduation I have a job at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital as an ICU Nurse.
Favorite Memory at WCU: My favorite WCU memory has to be all the lifelong friends I have made that are now my WCU family.
Meredith Kurfees
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Political Science
Post Graduation: Working at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Favorite Memory at WCU: Going on the WCU Disney Leadership trip
