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WCU Stories

Brett Riggs

WCU’s Brett Riggs named honorary member of EBCI

Brett Riggs is heavily involved with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, so when the tribal librarian asked him to come to council to support a resolution for the library, no questions were asked.   

Sara Snyder Hopkins

WCU's ECHT project receives $450K grant from NEH

Unearthing history is nothing new to Cherokee Language Program director and associate professor Sara Snyder Hopkins. Thanks to a federal grant, she and a group of colleagues will continue to do so.  

Florida Ahado

Alumna kicks off post grad life with NCDHHS internship

Recent Western Carolina University alumna Florida Ahado drives around Raleigh and is reminded of her impact about everywhere she goes.   

Landey Green

Running to help: WCU student-athlete Landey Green helps others through two internships

Landey Green does it all. She’s a driven psychology student at Western Carolina University and a tireless runner, competing for both the Catamount women’s track and field and cross country teams. The summer season is usually a time to wind down for student-athletes, but not Green.   

Tayler Franklin working in a lab at Pearl Harbor

WCU senior Tayler Franklin helps identify fallen soldiers at Pearl Harbor

Amidst a second world war, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Lives were lost, others were changed and one day later, the United States entered the largest conflict in human history.  

Jenna Dryer at Glacial Lake

Digging it: WCU senior Jenna Dreyer works archaeology internship in Washington state

One of Jenna Dreyer’s favorite things about her field of study is just being outside — but her surroundings this summer look a bit different from the familiar confines of Cullowhee.  

Joe Pechmann and students out in the field

WCU professor protects the Dusky Gopher Frog from extinction

Several cattle tanks filled with swarms of tadpoles were all that kept the dusky gopher frog from going extinct. Now, Joe Pechmann, professor of biology at Western Carolina University, is helping the frogs return to their historical range and populations.  

NCSL student members

Student legislature takes home “best delegation” at Raleigh general assembly

Western Carolina University’s chapter of the North Carolina Student Legislature was less than a year old when it took home the statewide title of “best delegation” this April.   

WCU students at Star Party

WCU astronomers lead 13th annual statewide star party

Western Carolina University astronomers brought stargazers of all ages to the Cashiers plateau earlier this spring, where the night burned bright for the 13th annual Statewide Star Party.   

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