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WCU Stories

Joseph Foxx

Project management is more than just a job description

The art of project management is something that Western Carolina University alum Joseph Foxx learned quickly. The 35-year-old technical support engineer is the father of a 15-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son who worked full time at a manufacturing company in Fletcher. He did all of that while driving back and forth from the Asheville area to Cullowhee to take engineering classes.   

Thomas Farrell

Road warrior burns candle on both ends to finish degree

The next time a student claims he or she will never use the math they’re struggling with in school, have them talk to Western Carolina University alumnus Thomas Farrell, a laser process engineer who works on commercial aircraft engines at GE Aviation Asheville.  

Matthew McDonough

Matthew McDonough awarded national fellowship to advance diversity in science research

When WCU alumnus Matthew McDonough starts his third year of graduate school at the University of Chicago this fall, he’ll do so as a member of a select group.  

Zöe

CEAP, CAS alumna honored with national award in leadership as a teacher of color

Zöe Zander, a 2018 WCU alumna, has received a 2021 Early Career Educator of Color Leadership Award presented by the National Council of Teachers of English.   

Tom Clegg

Clegg combines love for WCU, military as head of new affinity society

Col. Tom Clegg may be retired from the Army, but he still gets a thrill out of leading people. Clegg, who graduated from Western Carolina University in 1965 with business and history degrees, is the first president of the Division of Advancement’s new Military and Veterans Alumni Society and he’s relishing the opportunity to meet and recruit new members, even by Zoom.  

Jamie Raynor

Board of Trustees appoints Jamie Raynor as vice chancellor of advancement

The WCU Board of Trustees appointed Jamie Raynor as its new vice chancellor of advancement during a special-called meeting today, July 20.   

Bryant Kinney

Bryant Kinney leaves leadership post confident in WCU’s strength to lead region

From high school drum major to Duke Energy to owner of his own company and chair of the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees — plus a few stops in between — Bryant Kinney has led a life of sheer leadership, no ifs, ands or buts about it.   

Alexis Moser dressed in graduation regalia in front of the alumni tower

Brinson Honors College graduate gains national fellowship award

“The ability to personally impact a child, paired with my love for all things language, is what truly inspired me to pursue a career in speech-language pathology,” said Alexis Moser, a recent graduate of Brinson Honors College.   

Heather Brady '19

For young accountant, life is about more than numbers

Heather Brady '19 is the alumni spotlight feature for May 2021.   

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