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WCU Stories

Spring at WCU

WCU sees high retention rate, notable increase in enrollment for spring 2025

The spring semester is underway at Western Carolina University and that means looking at how the university’s enrollment is shaping up for the first few weeks of the new year.  

WCU student teaching intern in classroom

WCU expands Catamount Commitment to include transfer students

Western Carolina University is expanding its Catamount Commitment program with a new initiative to support transfer students from North Carolina Community Colleges.  

Whee Belong Hickory gathering

The Fund for WCU supports ‘Whee Belong’ gatherings for distance ed students

The Office of Distance Learning at Western Carolina University used $7,000 in 1889 Impact Grants Program funding to host in-person events during the spring of 2024 to bring together distance learning students, most of whom take courses fully online, are 25 or older, work full-time, and have families and lives beyond school.  

Patient being seen in Vecinos Clinic

Vecinos clinic receives tech upgrade through donations to Fund for WCU

Health care providers in the primary care clinic area of Western Carolina University’s Health and Human Sciences Building are now able to take advantage of upgraded technology to help meet the needs of the patients they serve.  

Bora Karayaka

WCU professor secures $3 million in scholarships for students entering nuclear engineering field

Bora Karayaka, a professor at Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology, has secured $3 million in scholarship funding from the Department of Energy through the University Nuclear Leadership Program.  

WCU Campus

WCU social work students engage with alumni with help from Fund for WCU

Students from Western Carolina University’s Department of Social Work fanned out across Western North Carolina during the 2024 falls semester to connect with previous graduates of the program and encourage engagement by the WCU alumni with their program and their alma mater.  

Catamount Club members

Catamount Club announces changes to Greek Challenge fundraiser, sets membership deadlines

Western Carolina University’s Catamount Club is announcing some changes to the popular Greek Challenge, which has been one of the club’s largest annual fundraising campaigns since its inception in 2014, and issuing a reminder of membership deadlines.  

Cherokee syllabary on graduation stoll

WCU Cherokee Language program receives $223K grant

The Cherokee Preservation Foundation has been a pivotal supporter of Western Carolina University’s Cherokee Language program.   

WCU students running on campus

WCU set to host the Catamount Climb in April

Western Carolina University invites runners of all ages and skill levels to register for the annual Catamount Climb Half Marathon and 5K on Saturday, April 5.   

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