Launched in 2013 by primary sponsor AT&T, “The Heritage Calendar: Celebrating the North Carolina African American Experience” honors individuals of all races from across the state who have made a lasting impact on communities and individuals in North Carolina and around the globe.

A team of WCU students, led by Elizabeth Gillespie McRae, associate professor of history and director of graduate social science education programs, will interview the honorees and write profiles to be published in the printed edition of the 2017 calendar and on the project’s website at www.ncheritagecalendar.com.

“We are excited about this opportunity for our students and our university,” said WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher. “This promises to be a great educational enhancement for our students, giving them valuable hands-on experience both as writers and as historians, while also enabling Western Carolina University to help people across the state to connect with their heritage and their neighbors.”

WCU students participating in the project are Joshua Wilkey of Dillsboro and Raquel Kelly of Franklin, who are graduate students in history; and Cassandra Talabi of Mebane and Sherae Bonner of Whitesburg, Georgia, who are elementary education majors with concentrations in history. 

“WCU has a well-earned reputation for community service and commitment to excellence,” said Clifton Metcalf Jr., AT&T public affairs director. “We look forward to working with the university and its students and are thrilled to welcome the Catamounts to the team.”

Another component of the project is lesson plans based on the life of each honoree, developed by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and available online as resources for educators statewide.

Other primary participants are The News & Observer, Capitol Broadcasting Company/WRAL-TV, PNC Bank and the Sheraton Raleigh hotel.

www.wcu.edu.