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WCU Stories

Cassie Dickson demonstrating spinning and dying to students at WCU

Mountain Heritage Center to host Mini-Mountain Heritage Day July 17

The Mountain Heritage Center, a museum of Appalachian culture at Western Carolina University, will hold a crafts demonstration and music performance from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 17.   

Rob Young in black shirt

WCU Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines receives $54,612 grant from NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources

The Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University has just received a grant from the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources for $54,612.   

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.  

Groundbreaking ceremony

WCU holds groundbreaking for renovations to E.J. Whitmire Stadium

A long-awaited $37 million upgrade to renovate the west side stands of Western Carolina University’s aging E.J. Whitmire Stadium is now underway with an official groundbreaking ceremony held Thursday, June 12, in the shadows of the construction zone.  

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.   

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