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51¿´Æ¬Stories

Alexis Harp

Young alumni spotlight: Harp passes on guidance as Greek life adviser

Alexis Harp was lost her first few semesters of undergrad. Imposter syndrome was hitting her hard. She was a first-generation college student navigating the world of higher education, and to top it all off, she originally didn’t even want to go to college.   

Casey Cooper, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch

Josh Dobson, Nora Lynn Finch sworn in as members of the 51¿´Æ¬Board of Trustees

Josh Dobson and Nora Lynn Finch were sworn in as members of 51¿´Æ¬â€™s Board of Trustees during the regular board meeting held on Friday, Sept. 5.   

Chancellor Brown talks about the trophy

Annual faculty-staff giving challenge resumes this fall

An annual effort to encourage faculty and staff members to make financial contributions to 51¿´Æ¬ is now underway, including the resumption of a friendly competition among campus divisions and academic colleges.  

WCTC women's basketball team in the 1940s

51¿´Æ¬Mountain Heritage Center opens new Clearing the Hurdles exhibit

The Mountain Heritage Center at 51¿´Æ¬ (WCU) is proud to announce the opening of its newest exhibit on Sept. 2, Clearing the Hurdles: Women and Sport at WCU, 1889 to the Present.   

Paxton Myers, Dana Boyer and Chancellor Kelli Brown

‘Fill the Western Sky’ contribution feels like a promise to Catamount couple

For Paxton Myers and Dana Boyer, longtime supporters of 51¿´Æ¬â€™s athletics program, giving back to their alma mater feels like more than just making financial contributions. It also feels like keeping a promise.  

Killian Building with Cherokee sculpture

WCU–CIHA partnership grows Cherokee’s next generation of healers

In the midst of ongoing staffing challenges across the healthcare industry, the innovative partnership between 51¿´Æ¬ (WCU) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is doing exactly what a great pipeline should do -- it matches local talent with meaningful careers close to home, expands continuing education opportunities, and opens career-ladder pathways for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians (EBCI).   

Campus in fall

51¿´Æ¬sees strong retention rate for fall 2025, growth in total enrollment

Students have returned in-person and virtually to 51¿´Æ¬ and are gearing up for a bustling fall semester.  

J-Creek Cloggers

Schedule announced for WCU’s weeklong Mountain Heritage Days celebration

For the past 50 years on the last Saturday of September, 51¿´Æ¬â€™s Mountain Heritage Day festival has honored the music, stories, and traditions of Appalachia.  

Janet Oppenheimer

Retired PR professional creates endowment to support 51¿´Æ¬students

A public relations professional who has served as a mentor in the Department of Communication at 51¿´Æ¬ is now providing support to students in a different way by establishing a new endowment fund to enhance access to extracurricular and professional development activities.