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WCU Stories

BaShaun Smith with a mask and text that says Essential WCU

Essential WCU

We successfully wrapped up one of the most difficult semesters in our university’s history and began a new one with many known and unknown challenges ahead. Our employees and students have worked harder than ever amid the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to achieve their goals and to make a positive difference in the world.  

Dawn Brown at a conference table

Master of Project Management puts IT employee on a path of upward trajectory

A few years back, Western Carolina University’s Division of Information Technology added a project management office. Because IT employee Dawn Brown worked closely with the project office, she thought it might be beneficial to learn more about project management. She enrolled in WCU’s Master of Project Management (MPM) Program. Not only has it proven to be helpful in her IT role, but Brown said she now has a complete understanding of the entire project management process.  

Dr Yanjun Yan

Dr. Yanjun Yan: An I Love WCU Story

Education. Connection. Heart. - As an educational institution, Western Carolina University faculty utilize their vast resources of knowledge to nurture students, use their time to advance the curriculum offered to students, and work with an educational community to stem new ideas. Yanjun Yan is one of these individuals, but the lessons do not stop in the classroom.  

Faculty and Staff at an I Love WCU celebration

‘I Love WCU’ to celebrate alumni, students and new giving societies

It’s February and that means big love for Western Carolina University during the “I Love WCU” celebration.  

Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and Husband Dennis

Chancellor Brown’s late mother honored with namesake scholarship

Charlene Leontine Francis McCormack married young, worked hard, loved her family and her church, and ultimately laid the groundwork for the success of her three children, especially her oldest, Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown.  

Cat Statue mask

COVID-19 dashboard updates resume Jan. 11 with additional information

Western Carolina University’s COVID-19 dashboard will resume its weekday updates.   

Tom Friazer

It’s ‘stop the presses’ for WCU’s longtime print shop director

It seems the stars were aligned for Tom Frazier to live a life of paper and ink, of milestones and memories, of students and their dreams. Even he will acknowledge the ease with which new doors opened as others closed, always leading him to places that seemed to need him most.   

Bill Studenc

WCU ‘spin daddy’ is hanging up his reporter’s notebook

Our December Alumni Spotlight: Bill Studenc - In 1988, Ronald Reagan was president, Margaret Thatcher was prime minister of the United Kingdom and Bill Studenc started working at Western Carolina University in what was then called the Office of Public Information.   

Bill Student

WCU legend in promoting the institution is retiring

WCU’s chief communications officer, Bill Studenc, will retire in January after more than 32 years of employment at the university.  

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