Professor announces annual fall color forecast for mountains

Autumn leaves and the natural beauty of fall colors across Western North Carolina are a seasonal sensation that draw thousands of visitors and locals alike - and prompts an annual prognostication by biology professor Beverly Collins.  

NSF grant will aid in preserving several biological collections

Grant will allow WCU to preserve and display its herbarium, arthropods and birds and mammals collections.  

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NASA institute honors geology faculty member for early career accomplishments

Amy Fagan, associate professor of geology at Western Carolina University, is one of two winners of a NASA award given annually to scientists from around the world who make significant contributions to the science or exploration communities early in their careers.  

Alumna Helping Local Wildlife

Anyone who has ever traveled along Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge near the North Carolina-Tennessee border knows how dangerous that stretch of highway can be. With its narrow lanes, twisting and winding curves through the mountains, rockslides, and speeding drivers, that portion of highway has been notorious for accidents. Well, just imagine what it must be like for wildlife living in those beautiful mountains that make up Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Pisgah and Cherokee national forests.  

Highlands Biological Station begins bird banding project

In conjunction with an international effort, the Highlands Biological Station has initiated a bird banding project in the high-elevation mountain community.  

Cherokee Center presents Jerry Wolfe 'Gadugi" Award

WCU's Cherokee Center recently selected Class of 2020 Cherokee High School graduates Tierney Bradley and Brandon Wolfe to receive the Dr. Jerry Wolfe 'Gadugi' Award as part of its efforts to connect with the community.  

Alumna Annalee Blanks named UNC System Presidential Scholar

Annalee Blanks, a May 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as one of three University of North Carolina System presidential scholars. Blanks, who graduated from WCU in three years with a bachelor of science degrees in history and political science, and a certificate in public history, will begin her one-year appointment in July.  

Graduate Annalee Blanks named UNC System Presidential Scholar

Annalee Blanks, a May 2020 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been selected as one of three University of North Carolina System presidential scholars.  

A Promise Fulfilled: David Walton was hired as director of WCU’s African American Studies minor

With the hiring of a director to create an African American Studies minor program, Western Carolina University has come one step closer to fulfilling its promise to add the offering to its curriculum. David Walton, an assistant professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, has been named the director of WCU’s African American Studies minor. Walton will begin his new role, which includes being an assistant professor in the Department of History, Aug. 1.  

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