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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.  

Members of the Catamount Philanthropy Council display their prize-winning banner from Homecoming 2024.

Catamount Philanthropy Council provides student face for donors, alumni

While thousands of Western Carolina University students benefit annually from the generosity of those who make philanthropic gifts to the institution, a small group is actively working to help increase donations to WCU by providing a student face for friends and alumni.  

Matt Henley

Matt Henley appointed director of the Pride of the Mountains and Athletic Bands

Western Carolina University is excited to announce the appointment of Matt Henley as the next director of Athletic Bands and director of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.  

Jordan-Phillips Field House

Phillips and Jordan Inc. pledges $1 million challenge gift toward WCU athletics facilities upgrades

Phillips and Jordan Inc., a national construction contractor with roots in the Western North Carolina town of Robbinsville and headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, has announced plans to build on its legacy of corporate support for Western Carolina University’s intercollegiate athletics program.  

WCU Legacy Pinning Ceremony

Legacy Pinning ceremony honors family connections to WCU

Nearly 90 new first-year and transfer students at Western Carolina University celebrated the powerful bonds of kinship, tradition and alma mater during an annual ceremony Saturday, Nov. 16, as members of their own families who previously attended WCU presented them with special pins signifying their unique connection to the institution.  

Jim Moore

WCU mourns loss of former Board of Trustees, Foundation chair Jim Moore

The Western Carolina University community is mourning the loss of longtime friend, volunteer leader and donor Jim Moore, who died Monday, Nov. 18, at the age of 87 after a period of declining health.  

Fans help fill the truck for Helene relief

Donors provide emergency support to WCU students, faculty, staff affected by Helene

Although the Western Carolina University campus in Cullowhee avoided any significant damage from the fury of Hurricane Helene as it tore through Western North Carolina in late September, that does not mean that all students, faculty and staff emerged unscathed.  

WCU soccer

GivingTuesday ’24 to focus on increasing Catamount Club membership, athletics facilities

Western Carolina University will be ramping up support for the Catamount athletics program during this year’s edition of GivingTuesday, with a series of challenge gifts designed to help expand membership in the Catamount Club and increase funding for athletics facilities.  

WCU alumni award winners

Alumni return to WCU for annual homecoming celebration

Jamie Van Pelt’s drive from Florida to Western Carolina University isn’t the most riveting one. It’s several hours of rural highways, twists and turns and infamous Atlanta traffic, but when Van Pelt crests the hill south of Clayton, Georgia, he smiles.   

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