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UNC Board of Governors appoints Nora Lynn Finch, Tate Apodaca to Board of Trustees

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has unanimously approved the appointment of two new members to the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees: Tate Apodaca and Nora Lynn Finch. Additionally, the Board approved the second full terms of chair Casey Cooper and Timothy “Jake” Robinson.  

Kinley Cook

Alumna Kinley Cook brings passion to job as park guide

As a park guide at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland, Kinley Cook’s passion for the outdoors radiates to her visitors. She gets them excited about where they’re at, whether it be by way of the park’s history or showing them a salamander that’s sitting under a random rock along its trail.   

WCU One Day for Western event

Gifts from all 50 states help WCU hit ‘One Day for Western’ goal of 1,200 donors

The final numbers are in for the third annual “One Day for Western,” an all-in day of giving designed to help generate additional financial support for multiple priorities at Western Carolina University.  

Monica Henson and her family

$100k Gift from alumna to support English majors and student media organizations

Future students majoring in English studies and participating in student media organizations at Western Carolina University will be eligible for financial assistance made possible by a planned gift of $100,000 from a WCU alumna who has enjoyed a lengthy career in the education profession.  

Ballparks and Brews from 2024

Play ball! WCU pitches new ‘Ballparks and Brews Tour’ for alumni, friends

The Western Carolina University Office of Alumni Engagement is stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a new summer event designed to bring together members of the Catamount family at baseball stadiums across North and South Carolina.  

Julian Manrique

WCU alumnus Julian Manrique shines as law school grad, attorney

After taking some challenging chemistry classes, Julian Manrique decided to reconsider his major. He was a biology major with a concentration in pre-dental, but following some thinking, the curious Western Carolina University student switched over to business administration and law.  

Coach Wike with WCU men's golf team in 2002

Wike Scholarship to aid WCU football players, golfers seeking careers in education

A scholarship fund honoring the memories of a longtime Western Carolina University coach and his spouse, also a lifelong educator, will soon provide financial assistance to Catamount student-athletes on the football and men’s and women’s golf teams.  

Dennis and Kelli Brown

WCU chancellor, ‘first dude’ back the ‘Fill the Western Sky’ campaign with a $4 million estate gift

When Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown unveiled plans for a comprehensive fundraising campaign shortly after her arrival in 2019, she prioritized seeking philanthropic support for enhancements to the overall student experience, including academics, athletics, and community and global engagement.  

Aaron Speyer

Young alumni spotlight: Speyer reaching for the stars as systems engineer

Western Carolina University alumnus Aaron Speyer doesn’t remember much about his trip to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia when he was six years old — but he remembers that initial fascination with space.  

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