Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University

Infobox University
name = Western Carolina University


image_size = 161px
motto = "Facultas Vestri Mentis"(Latin)
mottoeng =Power Your Mind
established = 1889
type = Public
endowment = $29.3 millioncite web | title =America's Best Colleges 2008: Western Carolina University: At a glance| publisher =usnews.com| date =June 11, 2008| url =http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_2981_brief.php]
chancellor = Dr. John W. Bardo
provost = Dr. Kyle R. Carter
faculty = 502cite web | title =2007 Fact Book and University Data| publisher =WCU| year =2008| url =http://planning.wcu.edu/2007_Factbook/Employees_Binder.pdf]
staff = 1642
city = Cullowhee
state = North Carolina
country = United States
undergrad = 9,055|postgrad = 1,945|campus = Rural/Valley
convert|589|acre|km2
athletics = NCAA Division I FCS
16 varsity teams
nickname = Catamounts
colors = Purple and gold
color box|#592c87 color box|#c0a878
affiliations = SoCon, University of North Carolina system
website = [http://www.wcu.edu/ www.wcu.edu]

Western Carolina University (WCU) is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina.The university is a constituent campus of the University of North Carolina system. [cite web | title =University of North Carolina| date =January 10, 2008| url=http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/home/facts.htm]

The fifth oldest institution in the UNC system, [cite web | title =Constituent Universities| publisher =The University of North Carolina| date =July 2, 2007| url =http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/campus/campusmap.htm] the university was founded to educate the people of the western North Carolina Mountains. The university has expanded its mission to serve the entire state and the nation and has grown to become a major cultural, scientific, and educational force in the state and region. [cite web | title =Western Carolina University| publisher =University of North Carolina| year =2008| url =http://online.northcarolina.edu/site.php?id=2981] WCU now serves more than 11,000 full time undergraduate and post graduate students, providing an education to students from 46 states and 39 countries. [cite web | title =About WCU| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/10.asp]

Location

Western Carolina University is located in Jackson County, in the unincorporated village of Cullowhee, North Carolina. The university operates satellite campuses in both Asheville and Cherokee with programs offered online and at various community colleges. [cite web | title =Programs in Asheville| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/6249.asp] [cite web | title =Cherokee Center| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/6306.asp] [cite web | title =Community College and Community Center | publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/2814.asp] [cite web | title =WCU, N.C. community colleges unveil comprehensive transfer | publisher =North Carolina Community College System| date =May 9, 2007 | url =http://www.ncccs.cc.nc.us/news_releases/wcu_ncccs_unveil_transfer_plan.htm] The main campus is located in a picturesque valley of the Tuckasegee River between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, convert|52|mi|km west of Asheville, North Carolina. The university lies close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Eastern Cherokee Indian Reservation (officially known as the Qualla Boundary) and some of the nation's most beautiful national forest lands. At an elevation of 2,100 feet, but located in a thermal valley, the campus enjoys the best of all four seasons but is shielded from most extreme temperatures by surrounding peaks. Cullowhee typically enjoys a rather mild winter season, in fact, Cullowhee can go some winters without snowfall or with just a trace. [cite web | title =CULLOWHEE, NORTH CAROLINA (312200) | publisher =Southeast Regional Climate Center| year =2008| url =http://radar.meas.ncsu.edu/cgi-bin/sercc/cliMAIN.pl?nc2200]

While winters in the valley are generally mild, snow is not unusual in the higher elevations of Jackson County around Cashiers or Balsam. In nearby Sapphire Valley, snowmaking machines maintain prime snow skiing conditions from mid-December through February. Locations in Jackson County are also within reasonable driving distance to ski slopes at Maggie Valley. The Blue Ridge Parkway is usually closed during winter weather, and has become popular with cross country skiiers during those times. [cite web | title =A Photographic Journal Of the Blue Ridge Parkway| publisher =Blue Ridge Parkway Guide| year =2008| url =http://www.virtualblueridge.com/photojournal/2004/01/31-001.asp]

The many rivers, streams and forests surrounding Cullowhee, combined with the mild climate of Southern Appalachia, offer many opportunities for outdoor activities. Climbing, hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, and camping are a few of the outdoor activities nearby. [cite web | title =The Many Faces of Western North Carolina | publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/as/english/inkblot/cullowhee.html] Cities within a three hour drive of campus include Atlanta, Georgia [ [http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Atlanta&1s=GA&2c=Cullowhee&2s=NC Driving Directions from Atlanta, GA to Cullowhee, NC ] ] ; Charlotte, North Carolina; [ [http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Charlotte&1s=NC&2c=Cullowhee&2s=NC Driving Directions from Charlotte, NC to Cullowhee, NC ] ] Knoxville, Tennessee; [ [http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Knoxville&1s=TN&2c=Cullowhee&2s=NC Driving Directions from Knoxville, TN to Cullowhee, NC ] ] and Greenville, South Carolina. [ [http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Greenville&1s=SC&2c=Cullowhee&2s=NC Driving Directions from Greenville, SC to Cullowhee, NC ] ]

History

In 1888, the citizens of Cullowhee desired a better school for the community than was offered in public schools of that day, [cite web | title =Western North Carolina: A History (1730-1913) | publisher =Overmountain Press| year =1966| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=rHNtrkPD8UMC&pg=PA438&lpg=PA438&dq=nc+public+schools+in+1888+cullowhee&source=web&ots=Bt2-op3xEv&sig=x4eMeVOp3oQhnKnBMVwpjZcx1E8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result] organized a board of trusteesand established a community school that came to be known as Cullowhee Academy.cite web | title =Western Carolina North Carolina: A History (1730-1913)| publisher =John Preston Arthur| year =1914| url =http://books.google.com/books?id=rHNtrkPD8UMC&pg=PA438&lpg=PA438&dq=cullowhee+state+normal+school&source=web&ots=Bt2Ynr5zCE&sig=GUajLx5BXgm3tY73R_ZiL77gzWg&hl=en] Founded in August 1889 as a semi-public secondary school and chartered as Cullowhee High School in 1891 (also called Cullowhee Academy), it served the Cullowhee community and boarding students from neighboring counties and other states. [cite web | title =Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School | publisher =Hunter Library, Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://library.wcu.edu/digitalcoll/education/cnis/Index.htm] The founder, Robert Lee Madison, wanted to provide an education for the young people in the region and train teachers to spread education throughout the Western Carolina part of the state. [cite web | title =Robert Lee Madison| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/1780.asp] [ [http://www.maryadams.net/wcu_hist/index.php?page=madison History of Western Carolina University ] ] In 1893, through the efforts of Walter E. Moore,representative from Jackson County, the North Carolina Legislature authorized an appropriation for the establishment of a normal department at the school "for the purpose of training teachers". This designation became the first publicly funded normal school in North Carolina.cite web | title =Heritage & History | publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/227.asp]

In 1905, the state assumed title to the school’s buildings and property and made it a state institution. That same year, the school’s name was changed to Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School. In 1925, the school’s name was changed to Cullowhee State Normal School. During its years as Cullowhee Normal, the stated purpose of the school was to train teachers for the North Carolina public schools. A coeducational institution, Cullowhee Normal trained over two thousand teachers by the mid-1920s. [cite web | title =Cullowhee Normal & Industrial School
publisher =Hunter Library| year =2008| url =http://library.wcu.edu/digitalcoll/education/cnis/Index.htm
]

Over the next forty years, the school expanded its curriculum and evolved into a junior college, and in 1929 it was chartered by the legislature as a four-year institution under the name "Western Carolina Teachers College." Called "the Cullowhee experiment Madison’s idea became a model for the other regional colleges in the state.

The demand for both liberal arts and other programs led to an expansion of the school's offerings. Postgraduate studies and the Master of Arts in Education degree were added to the curriculum in 1951. In 1953, the name "Western Carolina College" was adopted.

In 1967, the institution was designated a regional university by the North Carolina General Assembly and given its current title, "Western Carolina University." [cite web | title =Strategic Planning/Mission Statement 2004 | publisher =Western Carolina University| month =January | year =2004| url =http://www.wcu.edu/chancellor/Strategic%20Planning-Mission%20Statement%202004.htm] On July 1, 1972, WCU became a member of the University of North Carolina system. [cite web | title =Western Carolina University| publisher =University of North Carolina| date =September 13, 2007| url =http://intranet.northcarolina.edu/docs/assessment/Profiles/2007-08/WCU_Inst._Profile_07-08_38.pdf]

Precis of the University's History

Year - Name and Levels [cite web | title =2006 Fact Book - Western Carolina University| publisher =University of North Carolina| date =November 10, 2006| url =http://www.wcu.edu/Stratplan/2006_Factbook/fboverview06.pdf]
1889 Semi-private school
1891 Cullowhee High School
1893 First state appropriation; Normal Department established; First graduating class
1905 Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School
1912 Junior College rank established; Secondary school discontinued
1913 First college-level (one-year) degree awarded
1925 Cullowhee State Normal School
1929 Western Carolina Teachers College; Senior College rank established
1931 First Baccalaureate degree awarded
1951 Graduate degree established
1952 First Master's degree awarded
1953 Western Carolina College
1967 Western Carolina University
1972 A constituent institution of the University of North Carolina

Administration

The university is led by Chancellor John W. Bardo the chief administrative officer, along with Provost Kyle Carter and several advisory groups. [cite web|url=http://www.wcu.edu/335.asp|title=www.wcu.edu/335.asp ] [cite web|url=http://www.wcu.edu/334.asp|title=www.wcu.edu/334.asp ] The institution operates under the guidance and policies of the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University. [cite web|url=http://www.wcu.edu/chancellor/trustees/index.html|title=www.wcu.edu/chancellor/trustees/index.html ] WCU also falls under the administration of University of North Carolina system president Erskine Bowles.

Academics

Academic Structure

The university's academic structure is composed of five undergraduate colleges, the Kimmel School, the Honors College and Graduate School:


* [http://www.wcu.edu/2215.asp "College of Health and Human Sciences"]
**Applied Criminology
**Communication Sciences and Disorders
**School of Health Sciences
**School of Nursing
**Physical Therapy
**Social Work
* [http://www.wcu.edu/607.asp "College of Arts and Sciences"]
**Anthropology and Sociology
**Biology
**Chemistry and Physics
**Communication
**English
**Geosciences and Natural Resources]
**History
**Mathematics and Computer Science
**Modern Foreign Languages
**Philosophy and Religion
**Political Science and Public Affairs
* [http://www.wcu.edu/3918.asp "College of Fine and Performing Arts"]
**Department of Stage and Screen
**School of Art and Design
**School of Music

* [http://www.wcu.edu/2517.asp "College of Business"]
**Accounting, Finance, and Economics
**Business Administration and Law
**Hospitality and Tourism
**Sport Management
**Business Computer Information Systems and Quantitative Analyses
**Entrepreneurship
***Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
**Management and International Business
**Sales and Marketing
***Center for Professional Selling and Marketing
* [http://www.wcu.edu/3030.asp "College of Education and Allied Professions"]
**Educational Leadership and Foundations
**Elementary and Middle Grades Education
**Health, Physical Education and Recreation
**Human Services
**Psychology
* [http://www.wcu.edu/3624.asp "The Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology"]
**Construction Management
**Engineering and Technology
* [http://www.wcu.edu/59.asp "The Honors College"]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/43.asp "The Graduate School"]

Academic Programs

With its main campus located on the site of an ancient Cherokee Indian village [cite web | title =Students Sift Through Centuries at Mound Site on Western Carolina’s Campus| publisher =Western Carolina University| date =July 2, 2003| url =http://www.wcu.edu/pubinfo/news/mounddig.htm] and adjacent to the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, Western Carolina has a commitment to the rich traditions of both the Appalachian and Cherokee cultures. The university's Mountain Heritage Center; Cherokee Center; Craft Revival Project; Cherokee Studies Program and WCU's partnership to preserve the Cherokee language [cite web | title =Preserving the Cherokee Language| publisher =Western Carolina University| url =http://www.wcu.edu/298.asp] both reflect that influence — and provides educational resources for the region.

Classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a comprehensive (Masters/L) [cite web | title =Western Carolina University| publisher =The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching| year =2007| url =http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/classifications/sub.asp?key=748&subkey=15612&start=782] university, WCU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the bachelor, masters, intermediate, and doctoral (in education) levels. The university holds 21 program accreditations and is a member of more than 30 state and national associations and organizations to which its professional programs are related. [cite web | title =WCU Profile for Dean of Education Search| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/5892.asp#Western Carolina_CAROLINA_UNIVERSITY_AT_A_GLANCE]

As the sixth largest producer of teachers in North Carolina, [cite web | title =Academics| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/14.asp] the College of Education and Allied Professions was the national winner of the Association of Teacher Educators' Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award [cite web | title =WCU Teacher Education Program is Recipient of National Award | publisher =Western Carolina University| date =February 24, 2006| url =http://www.wcu.edu/pubinfo/news/2006/CEAPnationalaward.htm] in 2006. The College is also the 2007 co-winner of the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award [cite web | title =Teacher education program wins national Christa McAuliffe Award| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/5183.asp] presented by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The Christa McAuliffe Award nationally recognizes outstanding programs in teacher education at AASCU member institutions.

Western Carolina's Forensic Research Facility or "Body Farm" is just the second facility of it's kind nationally. [cite web | title =Forensic Research Facility| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/293.asp] The decomposition research station is an extremely valuable resource for researchers and forensic anthropology students to study natural decomposition.

The residential Honors College was first of its kind in North Carolina. [cite web | title =Only at WCU| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/28.asp] The College is a community of high-achieving students that strives to provide an intellectually inviting atmosphere that offers academic challenge and enrichment for outstanding students. Newly accepted students are invited to live in one of two honors residences halls on campus. The Honors College is one of a few in the state to offer a residential option and among a few nationwide to award graduates with a special honors diploma. The college began in 1998 with 77 students and has grown to approximately 1,400. For entering freshman, the Honor's College average weighted GPA is over 4.00. The College is a member of the [http://www.nchchonors.org/ National Collegiate Honors Council] .

In the spring of 2000, WCU was officially designated a National Merit sponsoring university, just the fourth institution of higher education in North Carolina, public or private, to receive that distinction [cite web | title =WCU Becomes 4TH National Merit Sponsor Among N.C. Universities| publisher =Western Carolina University| date =April 12, 2000| url =http://www.wcu.edu/pubinfo/news/merit.html] The university grants scholarships to students who qualify as National Merit Finalists. The Western Meritorious Award for Finalists provides a four-year scholarship, which covers the equivalent amount of in-state tuition, fees, room, and board, to National Merit Finalists, who also receive a computer.

The 2009 edition of the Princeton Review “Best 296 Business Schools” ranks the College of Business among the nation’s best schools at which to earn a master’s degree in business administration. WCU’s program earned a top-four spot for schools offering the greatest opportunity for women and receiving high marks for small class sizes. Western Carolina's online master’s degree in project management has been ranked the No. 1 ranking nationally in both affordability and quality by GetEducated.com. [cite web | title =WCU's online project management program ranked No. 1 'best buy'| publisher =Western Carolina University| date =Oct 2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/10096.asp] In 2007, the Master of Entrepreneurship Program was selected as one of the five best online entrepreneurship programs by Fortune Small Business magazine. [cite web | title =College of Business included among Princeton Review's '296 Best' | publisher =Western Carolina University| date =Oct 2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/10947.asp]

Centers, Institutes, & Affiliates

Community focus, scholarly research, business development, preservation of the Cherokee & Appalachian Mountain cultures, and the advancement of technology & public policy are the guiding principals of Western Carolina's Centers, Institutes & Affiliates.


* [http://www.wcu.edu/3632.asp Center for Rapid Product Realization]
**Carolinas MicroOptics Triangle
**Carolinas Photonics Consortium
* [http://www.wcu.edu/3857.asp Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/cob/SalesWebsite/home.html Center of Professional Selling and Marketing]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/6087.asp Center for Math/Science Education]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/6302.asp Cherokee Studies]
**Projects and Initiatives from Cherokee Studies
**Cherokee Studies Academic Programs
**Cherokee Center
**Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources
* [http://fapac.wcu.edu/about.html Fine & Performing Arts Center]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/aquarc/ Mountain Aquaculture Research Center]


* [http://ief.wcu.edu/ Institute for the Economy & the Future]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/2389.asp Mountain Heritage Center]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/ppi/ The Public Policy Institute]
* [http://ramsey.wcu.edu/ Ramsey Regional Activities Center]
* [http://www.sbtdc.org/ Small Business & Technology Development Center]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/success/ Academic Success Center]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/1037.asp Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines]
* [http://ore.wcu.edu/ Office for Rural Education]
* [http://ceap.wcu.edu/commdis/speech_hearing_center.htm Speech and Hearing Center]
* [http://facctr.wcu.edu/ Myron L. Coulter Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/as/biology/SABEC/sabec.htm Southern Appalachian Biodiversity and Ecology Center]
* [http://www.wcu.edu/studentd/service_learning/ Center for Service Learning]
* [http://ceap.wcu.edu/dec/index.html Developmental Evaluation Center]

Campus

Main campus

The main campus in Cullowhee offers most of the amenities of a small town, including fourteen residence halls, two full-service cafeterias, two food courts with fast-food outlets, health services, counseling, a bookstore, library, two indoor swimming pools, tennis courts, movie theater, jogging trail and quarter-mile track, and intramural fields.

The campus center is the Hinds University Center. [http://www.wcu.edu/admissions/tour/vtour/main.html] The UC contains the university post office, a movie theater, video and commuter lounges, student organization HQs, meeting rooms and office space. Outside of the UC is the [http://www.wcu.edu/448.asp Alumni Tower] , built in 1989, on 100th birthday of the university. [ [http://www.wcu.edu/448.asp Western Carolina University - Alumni Tower ] ]

The campus residence buildings include one for graduate students and one for married students. Special residence accommodations include honors residence halls and The Village, home to residential Greek organizations. Three new residence facilities were recently completed and in April 2008, the university broke ground on a $50.2 million residence hall project; [cite web | title =Ground-breaking ceremony held for $50.2 million residence hall project| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/7184.asp] and a new $18 million dollar 53,000-square-foot campus dining facility. [cite web | title =Demolition of residence hall makes way for new dining hall| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/4157.asp] Other newly constructed facilities include the Center for Applied Technology (which houses new engineering laboratories); an expanded student life center; new athletic facilities; and a new student support center. A recently constructed $13.5 million 73,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center, was completed over the Summer. [cite web | title =Studemt Recreation Center| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2002| url =http://ncsudesign.org/PDFs/case_studies/WCU_FINAL.pdf]

Construction will shortly begin on a new $46.2 million Health and Gerontological Sciences Building] [cite web | title =Health and Gerontological Sciences Building| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/5610.asp] This facility is the first project on the Millennial Initiative property and the facility will house WCU’s educational and outreach programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences. The four-story facility will become home to the School of Nursing and to programs in social work, physical therapy, athletic training, clinical laboratory sciences, environmental health, health information administration, nutrition and dietetics, emergency medical care, recreational therapy, and communication sciences and disorders.

Asheville

WCU uses the educational facilities and resources of the University of North Carolina at Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College [cite web | title =Western Carolina University Programs in Asheville| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://catalog.wcu.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=21#west_caro_univ_ashe] and the graduate programs are affiliated with the Asheville Graduate Center.

Cherokee

The Western Carolina University Center in Cherokee, North Carolina was established in 1975 [cite web | title =Western Carolina University Center in Cherokee| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://catalog.wcu.edu/content.php?catoid=4&navoid=21#west_caro_univ_cher] in cooperation with the tribal government of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. The center serves Cherokee and the surrounding communities and is available to all of the people of the region.

WCU Student Media

Housed in the Student Media Center (Old Student Union) on the hill area of campus are WCU's Student Media Organizations, which are open to all students and are produced by students.The following organizations are a part of WCU Student Media:
* "Western Carolinian Newspaper:" A bi-weekly newspaper focusing on news and events relevant to the campus and surrounding community. Includes News, Features, Sports, and Arts & Entertainment sections. Available in print in the local area and on-line at www.westerncarolinian.com.
* TV 62: The student-run campus television station, offering original programing to the campus on channel 62.
* WCAT: Cable & Internet radio station offering an eclectic mix of music chose by student DJs, as well as original talk shows and artist interviews.
* "The Nomad:" WCU's Literature & Art magazine, published once a year in the Spring semester.
* "The Gadfly:" WCU's Journal of Social Criticism and Philosophy. Satirical pieces philosophically critiquing society-at-large in a humorous manner. Published once a semester.

University Media

The university produces the following publications:
* "Western Carolina Magazine:" A seasonal publication primarily for alumni and friends of WCU, Western Carolina Magazine contains features on university people and programs, alumni updates, and news and events.
* "The Reporter:" A bi-monthly newsletter for the faculty and staff of WCU, The Reporter features news, events, and campus community updates.
* "MountainRise:" an open, peer-reviewed, international electronic journal published twice a year by the Coulter Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Western Carolina University for the purpose of being an international vehicle for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (SoTL).
* "All-Western Carolina:" The "All-Western Carolina" radio program airs during half-time of Catamount Sports Network broadcasts and highlights WCU’s academic all-stars and happenings on campus.

Radio, television and news by WCU students includes: [cite web | title =Student Publications| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/as/english/inkblot/publications.html]
* WWCU-FM: WWCU-FM, Power 90.5, is the broadcast service of WCU and broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as Jackson County's only FM radio station.
* Channel 62: Channel 62 is WCU’s closed-circuit television station with offices located in the A.K. Hinds University Center. Channel 62 is an organization that allows students to showcase their short films, as well as announce events on campus and highlight recent sporting events.
* "Western Carolinian:" A bi-monthly print and electronic publication, the "Western Carolinian" is written, edited and produced by WCU students. This student-run newspaper strives to keep the members of the WCU campus informed.
* "The NOMAD:" Student staff members work together to produce and distribute WCU’s student literary magazine "The Nomad."
* "The Tuckasegee Valley Historical Review:" "The Tuckasegee Valley Historical Review" [cite web | title =Tuckasegee Valley Historical Review| publisher =Western Carolina University| date =Spring 2002| url =http://www.wcu.edu/as/history/tuck2002.pdf] is an annually published graduate history journal. The review publishes articles by WCU graduate students in history with a primarily local focus.

Greek life

WCU is home to a wide range of Greek fraternities and sororities, as well as several councils and societies. The Greek community offers many social opportunities to enrich college life. Greeks get personal guidance in planning their curriculum and choosing classes and instructors, and assistance with registration and financial aid. Chapter study sessions, educational programs, tutoring, and study partners and teams offer support for developing and maintaining study skills. Greeks are recognized for their academic successes through Greek scholarship and awards programs and honor societies such as the Order of Omega. According to figures from "U.S. News & World Report", 9% of male students are in fraternities, while 8% of female students are in sororities.

Athletics

As a member of the Southern Conference, Western Carolina University participates in NCAA Division I athletics. Intercollegiate athletics include football, men and women's basketball, baseball, softball, women's soccer, men and women's golf, men and women's track and field (Indoor and Outdoor), cross country running, women's volleyball and tennis. Catamount football is a member of Division I FCS and plays at Whitmire Stadium. The Ramsey Center is home to men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball. Baseball is played at Hennon Stadium, softball is played at the Catamount Softball Complex, and the Catamount Athletic Complex is home to women's soccer, tennis, and track and field.

On November 29, 1980, Western Carolina's Ronnie Carr made the first intercollegiate three point field goal [cite web | title =Three-point era got its start with Ronnie Carr| publisher =Rivals.com| date =May 21, 2007
url =http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=675171
] in college basketball history versus Middle Tennessee State University, a game WCU won 77-70. The ball he used is on display at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The shot was made from the left corner with 16:09 left in the first half (7:06 pm).

Western Carolina and Appalachian State have a football rivalry in which they Battle for the Old Mountain Jug on an annual basis. [cite web | title =Western Carolina Announces 2008 Schedule| publisher =College Sporting News| year =2008| url =http://www.collegesportingnews.com/article.asp?articleid=89747] The Catamounts football team was runners-up in the Division I-AA National Football Championship Game in 1983.

Music

"Pride of the Mountains"

Under the direction of Bob Buckner, Matt Henley and Jon Henson, Western Carolina's Pride of the Mountains Marching Band is the largest college marching band in the Carolinas. The band includes around 360 members, also making it one of the largest marching bands in the United States. The marching band is open to all Western Carolina students regardless of class or major, with approximately 60% of its members non-music majors.

The "Cathouse Bands" pep bands plays at home basketball games during basketball season. [cite web | title =Pride of the Mountains| publisher =Western Carolina University| year =2008| url =http://www.wcu.edu/prideofthemountains/cathouse/about.cfm] A large band of approximately 100 members for men's basketball games is open to all students, and a small band of 20 members plays for women's basketball games. The women's Cathouse Band is determined by auditions, and members receive a scholarship for playing at games through the semester. The pep bans travel with the WCU basketball teams to end of season conference and NCAA tournaments.

Other ensembles

*Wind Ensemble - Directed by John West, this auditioned ensemble of 40-50 musicians performs a challenging repertory that includes premieres of commissioned works. This group meets every semester and tours in the spring of odd-numbered years.
*Jazz Band - Directed by jazz pianist Pavel Wlosok, this auditioned group performs jazz standards and new works for jazz band. Tours in the spring of even-numbered years.
*Symphony Band - Meeting in the spring semester only, this group of 60-80 musicians is open to all students without audition. Directed by John West.
*Artist-in-Residence Orchestra - With a professional string section from the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, this auditioned ensemble performs orchestral masterworks with wind, brass, and percussion students.
*Civic Orchestra - A college and community chamber orchestra, led by Bill Henigbaum.
*Percussion Ensemble - Led by Dr. Mario Gaetano, this group performs challenging works for various combinations of percussion instruments.
*Studio Ensembles - Most of the wind and brass studios offer small ensembles of like instruments that are conducted or coached by the studio teacher.
*Gamelan Ensemble - Consists of tuned percussion instruments (gongs, chimes, etc.) from Indonesia and is directed by Joy Shea.
*Concert Choir- Directed by Bob Holquist, The Lance Newman, and of course, The Chris Willix. Dona Eis Requiem

Notable alumni

*Jarvis Hayes - Current NBA player for the Detroit Pistons, later transferred to the University of Georgia after a year
*Gerald Austin - NFL referee
*Douglas S. Bailey - Former Executive Vice President for the Windsor Group, and is a senior political officer for Associated Industries of Florida
*James A. Beaty, Jr. - current U.S. District Judge and former nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
*Dean Biasucci - Athlete, actor; former placekicker, Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
*Kurt Bonnett - Trumpet player in Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003, World Champions.
*Sean Bridgers - Actor, HBO Original Series “Deadwood” (2004), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored (1995), and Nell (1994).
*Dave Bristol - Former Major League Baseball Manager (Reds , Brewers, Braves, Giants)'
*Jared Burton - Major League Baseball Player- Cincinnati Reds
*Art Byrd - Athlete; First football All-America selection at WCU, 1945
*Ronnie Carr - Basketball Player, made the first three-point field goal in College Basketball history on November 28, 1980
*Kevin Cassels and Tommy Dennison - Musicians with the rock band Mother Vinegar
*Ernest A. Fitzgerald (1947) - a Bishop of the United Methodist Church
*Jerry Gains (1970-75) Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974, also earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU
*Mel Gibson (Basketball) - former basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers
*Rich Hall (Comedian)
*Larry Hendricks - President / CEO of Boyles Furniture.
*Michell Hicks - Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
*Brad Hoover - Fullback for the Carolina Panthers (NFL).
*Paul Johnson - Class of 1974 - Head Football Coach at Georgia Tech, Johnson received one of the coaching profession’s most prestigious honors the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 2004.
* Tony Jones - (football) Started Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII with the Denver Broncos
* Andrew Jordan - In the NFL for eight seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
*Henry Logan - Athlete, in 1964 became NC’s first African-American collegiate athlete, and the first to play basketball for a “white” public institution in 1964
*Keith LeClair - Both an athlete and coach at Western Carolina University (Player-1985-88 & Coach-1992-97)
*Kevin Martin - Guard for the Sacramento Kings (NBA)
*David Patten - NFL wide receiver, three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Currently with the New Orleans Saints
*Clyde Simmons - Defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles
*Wayne Tolleson - Athlete; former Major League Baseball player.
*Tony White- President and CEO of Applera Corporation. Graced the cover of Forbes Magazine and was called the 24 billion dollar gene machine.
*Willie Williams - NFL Defensive Back for Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks

References

External links

* [http://www.wcu.edu Western Carolina University]
* [http://www.catamountsports.com Western Carolina Catamounts]


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