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WCU Stories

Jenna Dryer at Glacial Lake

Digging it: WCU senior Jenna Dreyer works archaeology internship in Washington state

One of Jenna Dreyer’s favorite things about her field of study is just being outside — but her surroundings this summer look a bit different from the familiar confines of Cullowhee.  

Heidi Von Dohlen (right) and Jess Weiler (left)

NC Principal Fellows program expands with supplemental funding

Heidi Von Dohlen was an educator and school principal for 27 years before becoming the director of the Principal Fellows program at Western Carolina University. During her time as an administrator, she worked to turn her school district into a place where students loved to learn, and teachers loved to teach.   

Joe Pechmann and students out in the field

WCU professor protects the Dusky Gopher Frog from extinction

Several cattle tanks filled with swarms of tadpoles were all that kept the dusky gopher frog from going extinct. Now, Joe Pechmann, professor of biology at Western Carolina University, is helping the frogs return to their historical range and populations.  

Haywood County School System students Abby Price and Laneice Southers take an industry tour at the local Sonoco facility.

WCU instructor, local nonprofit partner on entrepreneurship camp for underserved youth

A Western Carolina University instructor of management will be leading a weeklong entrepreneurship and leadership camp for underserved youth in Western North Carolina to help them get an early jump on learning some of the steps necessary for starting a business.  

Linville Gorge photographed by George Masa

Mountain Heritage Center invites public to explore George Masa exhibition through August 15

Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center invites the public to explore a powerful new exhibition, “A Stranger No More: George Masa and His Art,” on display now through August 15.  

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.   

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