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WCU Stories

Garrett Ozark

College of Business alumnus who appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ shares secrets of success

A Western Carolina University College of Business graduate and former Catamount baseball player who hit it out of the ballpark with an appearance on “Shark Tank” shared some personal lessons from his life as an entrepreneur during a recent-on campus presentation.  

Ashlyn Hannon

WCU junior named first Thompson Scholar

Ashlyn Hannon hasn’t been across the pond before, much less anywhere else outside of the country. But thanks to a generous gift from a pair of Western Carolina University donors, she’ll be hopping on a flight in just a few short weeks.   

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.   

Leaves from the moon tree

Out of this world: ‘Moon Tree’ arrives on WCU campus

Amy Fagan, an associate professor in Western Carolina University’s Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources, knows she’s a bit of a space addict.  

WCU nursing students

WCU School of Nursing awarded grant to jumpstart workshop series

Western Carolina University School of Nursing director and associate professor Terrica Durbin understands the need for nurses — and so do local patrons. The WCU School of Nursing was awarded a $40,562 grant by the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville.   

Daisy and Flora Myers

Hunter Library staff create website for families to find unclaimed photos

Years ago, residents and tourists brought their film for developing at Sherrill’s Photography Studio in Waynesville. Sometimes, the person who dropped off the film did not return to pick up their photographs and the only clue to their identity was their last name written on the unclaimed envelope.   

Chancellor Brown

Chancellor Kelli R. Brown appointed to AASCU board of directors

Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown has been appointed to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities board of directors.  

Cherokee basket weaving

WCU alumna records 100,000th person into craftsman database

Isabel Driver knows how important the work she does is. As an intern with the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, Driver etched 224 craftspeople into the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts’ craftsman database.  

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