Pifer named WCU Director of Athletics

Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced on May 19 the selection of Kyle Pifer to serve as the director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special called meeting.  

WCU to hold groundbreaking ceremony for stadium renovations project

Western Carolina University will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 12, to kick off the first phase of a series of planned upgrades for E.J. Whitmire Stadium and other aging facilities used by Catamount student-athletes. 

Federal government opens Title IX investigation into WCU

Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has made headlines by targeting the United States’ most well-known colleges — those with the largest endowments and lowest admission rates — but now, in the latest twist in a year-long saga, his administration is shifting its attention to Cullowhee. 

EXCLUSIVE: Payton McNabb’s victim speaks out

On May 2, 2024, a brief, awkward moment inside a women’s restroom at Western Carolina University was recorded, uploaded to social media and sparked a flashpoint in America’s ongoing culture wars.

A whole lot of heart: WCU softball bat boy defies odds, cheers on Catamounts

Drake Barlow walks up to home plate with the most swagger out of anyone on game days. He sports a sick pair of shades, some Catamount gear and a toothy grin that coaches across the Southern Conference have come to know. 

Life on Our Planet: Emmy-nominated producer to speak at WCU

As a young child, growing up right outside of London, Dan Tapster fondly remembers watching David Attenborough’s nature documentaries with his mother, these family moments that were “a cherished ritual.”
“She proudly claims to be his number one fan,” Tapster said. “And those early experiences ignited my fascination with storytelling and the natural world.” 

WCU hosts ‘Life on Our Planet'

Western Carolina University will welcome eight-time Emmy-nominated showrunner Dan Tapster to talk about the making of our planet. 

WCU pitches new ‘Ballparks and Brews Tour’ for alumni, friends

The Western Carolina University Office of Alumni Engagement is stepping up to the plate and taking a swing at a new summer event designed to bring together members of the Catamount family at baseball stadiums across North and South Carolina. 

Preservation is a long-term commitment

To the Editor:

I was recently honored with Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Award, an award I treasured receiving. In her remarks in presenting this to me, Chancellor Kelli Brown noted my 30-plus years of cultural preservation.

WCU students to hold Helene fundraiser

The Night’s Watch, a student group at Western Carolina University, will hold a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Helene at Sylva’s Bridge Park from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

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