Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University

File:WCU Seal.gif
Motto	Facultas Vestri Mentis (latin)
Motto in English	Power Your Mind
Type	Public University
Established	1889
Chancellor	John W. Bardo
Provost	Kyle R. Carter
Academic staff	457 full-time
Undergraduates	9,055
Postgraduates	1,945
Location	Cullowhee , NC , USA
Campus	Rural/Valley 589 acres
Athletics	NCAA Division I 14 varsity teams
Colors	Purple and Gold
Nickname	Catamounts WCU Athletic Logo
Affiliations	University of North Carolina (School System) SoCon (Athletic)
Mascot	Paws the Catamount
Website	www.wcu.edu
File:WCU.JPG

Western Carolina University is a coeducational public university located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The university is named Western Carolina University by statue, but commonly referred to as Western Carolina, WCU, or simply as Western. WCU is one of the sixteen public universities that make up the University of North Carolina System. The university serves over 12,000 students each year through credit and noncredit instructional courses, continuing education offerings, workshop, conference and service programs.

History

Robert Lee Madison (1867–1954). WCU's founder, served as first president Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School, from 1889-1912 and 1920-1923

Western Carolina University was founded in August 1889 as a semi-public secondary school and chartered as Cullowhee High School in 1891. The founder, Professor Robert Lee Madison, wanted to provide an education for the young people in the region and train teachers to spread education throughout the western part of the state. In 1893 the Legislature designated the school as the first publicly funded normal school.

Over the next 40 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 the model for the other regional colleges in the state.

The demand for the liberal arts and programs in other areas of learning 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 after several decades of rapid growth and sweeping changes. 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 Western Carolina University was given its current title. On July 1, 1972, WCU became a member of the University of North Carolina System.

As member of the University of North Carolina System, Western Carolina now provides an education to more than 11,000 students from 46 states and 39 countries. The university’s mission is focused on quality education and preparation for responsible citizenship in a changing world. Since its founding, WCU has grown in size to become a major cultural, scientific, and educational force in the region and the state—and still growing.

Precis of the University's History

Names and Levels
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. The institution operates under the guidance and policies of the Board of Trustees of Western Carolina University.

As part of the University of North Carolina's 16-campus system, Western also falls under the administration of UNC President Erskine B. Bowles, and the Board of Governors advised by UNC Faculty Assembly.

Presidents 1889-1912 Robert Lee Madison 1912-1920 Alonzo Carlton Reynolds 1920-1923 Robert Lee Madison 1923-1947 Hiram Tyram Hunter 1947-1949 William Ernest Bird 1949-1956 Paul Apperson Reid 1956-1957 William Ernest Bird 1957-1968 Paul Apperson Reid 1968-1972 Alexander Simpson Pow 1972-1972 Frank Hamilton Brown, Jr. (Acting)

Chancellors 1972-1973 Jack Kenneth Carlton 1973-1973 William Hugh McEniry (Acting) 1974-1974 Frank Hamilton Brown, Jr. (Acting) 1974-1984 H. F. Robinson 1984-1994 Myron L. Coulter 1994-1995 John H. Wakeley (Interim) 1995- John W. Bardo

Provost 2004-Present Kyle R. Carter

Academics

A comprehensive university (Masters/L), Western Carolina offers degree programs at the bachelor, masters, intermediate, and doctoral (in education) levels. The university's academic structure is composed of five undergraduate colleges and the Kimmel School:

College of Health and Human Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
College of Education and Allied Professions
College of Fine and Performing Arts
The Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology.

In addition to the undergraduate colleges, Western Carolina University offers a residental Honors College and Graduate School.

Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains, WCU has a commitment to the rich traditions of the Appalachian and Cherokee cultures with the main campus located on the site of an ancient Cherokee Indian village. Western Carolina's Mountain Heritage Center, Cherokee Center, Craft Revival Project, Cherokee Studies Program and WCU's partnership with the Cherokee Presevation Fund to Preserve the Cherokee Language reflect that influence — at the same time providing irreplaceable educational resources for the region.

A rigorous academic program, led by a faculty of about 457 full time faculty members, provides a student-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 for the student body. Western Carolina's distinguished faculty includes national award-winning authors, nationally and internationally recognized experts, and winners of Emmy, O. Henry, and National Endowment for the Arts awards. Academic programs span more than 120 specialties, for undergraduates in addition to over 30 graduate-level programs of study, including the nation’s highest-ranked entrepreneurship and project management programs, national awards-winning teacher education program, a criminal justice program used as a model for North Carolina’s accreditation program, and the nation’s first accredited four-year emergency medical care program. The Forensic Anthropology Program operates one of only two Body Farms in the United States.

Western's emphasis on involving undergraduate students in research is drawing national attention. The university has ranked in the nation's top 10 for three years in a row in the number of papers presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the undergraduate students from Cullowhee continue to lead the entire University of North Carolina system with their participation.

Western Carolina's nationally renowned Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines(PSDS) takes a worldwide view of modern coastal processes and geologic hazards, examines scientific basis for managing developed shorelines and actions that promote long term sustainability of U.S. coastal ecosysems. A fundamental role of PSDS is to serve as a technical and policy resource on a variety of beach, coastal and estuarine management issues. The PSDS fields inquiries from the media, government officials, environmental groups and property owners and provide information, data and strategic advice to local, state and federal government agencies; the scientific community; nonprofit organizations; concerned citizens; and other concerned stakeholders. The PSDS has provided expert assistance to over 100 organizations and agencies, including the National Park Service, NOAA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Surfrider Foundation, National Wildlife Federation and Environmental Defense. As a result of its national reputation, effective outreach efforts and extensive media network, PSDS has been featured over 300 national media outlets, including The Weather Channel, Discovery Channel, CNN, NBC Nightly News, 20/20, National Public Radio, the Washington Post, USA Today, Orlando Sentinel, the Miami Herald and the New York Times.

In 2006, the College of Education and Allied Professions was the national winner of the Association of Teacher Educators' Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award. The College is also the 2007 co-winner of the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award presented by the American Associatin of State Colleges and Universities. The Christa McAuliffe Award nationally recognizes outstanding programs in teacher education at AASCU member institutions.

The residential Honors College, a community of high-achieving students, was first of its kind in North Carolina. Accepted students are invited to live in one of two honors residences on campus. The Honors College provides an intellectually inviting atmosphere that offers greater academic challenge and enrichment for outstanding students. The college began with 77 students and has grown to approximately 1,400. For entering freshman, the Honor's College average weighted GPA is over 4.00.

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.

Majors

Accounting B.S.B.A. Certified public accountant, financial officer, account executive, purchasing agent.
Anthropology B.A., B.S. Historian, archaeologist, researcher, archivist, museum curator.
Art B.A., B.F.A. Graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, sculptor, ceramicist, art historian, museum employee.
Art Education B.S.Ed. Art teacher (grades K-12).
Athletic Training B.S. Athletic trainer, physical therapist (with Master's degree).
Biology B.S. Ecologist, wildlife conservationist, agriculturist, lab technician; pre-med.
Birth-Kindergarten B.S. Daycare personnel, kindergarten teacher.
Business Administration and Law B.S.B.A. Bank examiner, credit manager, detective, tax agent, security adviser; pre-law.
Chemistry B.A., B.S. Metallurgist, forensic expert, chemical engineer, quality control supervisor, chemist.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences B.S. Clinical laboratory scientist in hospitals, industry, research, and private labs.
Communication B.S. Writer, broadcaster, specialist in print media, public relations, or electronic news media.
Communication Science and Disorders B.S.Ed. Speech-language pathologist (private practice, healthcare, daycare centers, or schools).
Computer Information Systems B.S.B.A. Information systems manager, database administrator, systems analyst, support staff.
Computer Science B.S. Systems analyst, network administrator, applications and systems developer.
Construction Management B.S. Assistant project manager, superintendent, scheduler, cost engineer, field engineer, office engineer, estimator, and project engineer.
Criminal Justice B.S. Forensic scientist, investigative officer, patrolman, game warden, bailiff, probation officer; pre-law.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology B.S. Systems analyst, automation engineer, hardware design engineer], electrical engineer, electrical integrator, software engineer, process engineer, product engineer, satellite systems engineer, technical support, test engineer, engineer, engineering specialist, maintenance engineer.
Electrical Engineering B.S. Electrical engineer.
Elementary Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (grades K-6).
Emergency Management B.S. Homeland Security, FEMA, Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. Justice; State, County & Local Gvt.; Not-for-Profit; Private/Commercial/Business sector
Emergency Medical Care B.S. Paramedic, EMS supervisor, regulator, training officer, community college instructor.
Engineering Technology B.S. 3D computer-aided design and animation, engineering technologist, applications engineer, product development and testing engineer, engineering sales and distribution, technical manager, safety engineer, technical illustrator, technical writer, project engineer, automation engineer.
English B.A. Public relations specialist, advertising copywriter, educator, newspaper reporter; pre-law.
English Education B.S.Ed. English teacher (grades 9-12).
Entrepreneurship B.S. Venture capitalist, individual business owner, entrepreneur.
Environmental Health B.S. Environmental toxicologist, industrial hygienist, health safety, quality assurance specialist.
Environmental Science B.S. Could lead to positions in environmental ecology, conservation, environmental chemistry, environmental biology or fisheries science.
Finance B.S.B.A. Controller, financial planner, real estate broker, banker, credit and loan officer.
Geology B.S., B.S.Ed. Environmental geologist/scientist, hydrogeologist, petroleum geologist, science teacher, structural geologist, water quality/restoration specialist.
German B.A. International business executive, civil and foreign service employee, advertising agent, interpreter.
German Education B.S.Ed. German language teacher (grades K-12).
Health Information Administration B.S. Manager or director, insurance company manager, health data analyst.
History B.A., B.S. ]]Educator]], museum curator, archivist, historian, or government employee; pre-law.
Hospitality and Tourism B.S. Hotel, lodging, or food service manager; restaurant operator; vendor or supplier.
Humanities B.A. An excellent foundational program, the Humanities degree leads to a number of careers--especially those that are language-related--and also provides academic preparation for various graduate programs.
Interior Design B.S. ]]Color theorist]], display designer, interior designer, residential architect.
International Business B.S. International banker, stockbroker, import and export broker, business forecaster.
Management B.S.B.A. Human resource manager, labor relations director, manager.
Marketing B.S.B.A. Account executive, buyer, communications officer, promotion director, analyst, wholesaler.
Mathematics B.S. Statistician, cryptographer, demographer, risk manager, operations research analyst.
Mathematics Education B.S.Ed. Mathematics teacher (grades 9-12).
Middle Grades Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (grades 6-9).
Music B.A. Music industry (retail, customer service, etc.).
Music B.M. Performer, arranger, private lesson teacher, accompanist, recording engineer.
Music Education B.S.Ed. Music teacher (grades K-12), conductor, director.
Natural Resources Management B.S. Hydrologist, conservationist, land use planner, water and forest resources manager.
Nursing B.S.N. Nurse in hospitals, medical centers, home health, community health agencies, nursing homes.
Nutrition and Dietetics B.S. Dietician/nutritionist in a hospital, health department, wellness program, government agency.
Parks and Recreation Management B.S. Recreation specialist, outdoor planner, park manager, park technician, recreation director.
Philosophy and Religion B.A. Business manager, technical writer, government employee; pre-law.
Physical Education B.S.Ed. Physical education teacher and/or coach in schools, camps, YMCAs, and businesses.
Political Science B.A., B.S. Government executive, congressional staff member, budget director; pre-law.
Psychology B.S. Personnel officer, employment counselor, marketing researcher, daycare supervisor.
Recreational Therapy B.S. Therapeutic worker with the aged, impaired, or disadvantaged in healthcare settings.
Science Education (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) B.S.Ed. Science teacher (9-12).
Secondary Education B.S.Ed. Teacher (9-12).
Social Sciences B.A., B.S. Library science worker, minister; pre-law.
Social Sciences Education B.S.Ed. Social Sciences teacher (grades 9-12).
Social Work B.S. Social worker in mental or public health, social services, juvenile court.
Sociology B.A., B.S. Probation or parole officer,counselor, sociologist, business manager, social worker.
Spanish B.A. International executive, civil and foreign service employee, translator, interpreter.
Spanish Education B.S.Ed. Spanish language teacher (grades K-12).
Special Education (General) B.S.Ed. Special Education teacher (grades K-12) working with children with learning disabilities or mental retardation.
Special Studies B.A., B.S. Individually designed major leading to various career choices.
Speech and Theatre Arts B.A. Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks, public speaker.
Sport Management B.S. Marketing executive, fitness club manager, ticket manager, athletic trainer, recreation specialist.
Telecommunications Engineering Technology B.S. Applications developer, consultant, customer service representative, LAN administrator, network administrator, network analyst, operations analyst, systems analyst, technical trainer.
Theatre B.A., B.F.A. Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks.

Campus

Map of NC highlighting Jackson County

A rainy day in the Great Smoky Mountain, Western North Carolina

Western Carolina is located in Jackson County, in the unincorporated village of Cullowhee, North Carolina. The university operates satellite campuses in both Asheville and Cherokee. The main campus is located in a picturesque valley of the Tuckasegee River between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains 52 miles (84 km) west of Asheville, NC. 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 and some of the nation's most beautiful national forest lands. At an elevation of 2,100 feet, the campus enjoys the best of all four seasons but is shielded from most extreme temperatures by surrounding peaks.

Asheville, NC

File:100 1487.jpg

Cherokee Indian Reservation

In fall 2000, the university launched into a building boom of a magnitude never before seen on campus. $130 million in new and renovated buildings and roads have redrawn the campus map as the university prepares for projected enrollment growth in the decade ahead. The Millennial Initiative which doubles the size of the campus, is a knowledge enterprise zone where university faculty and students, private industry, and government partners will conduct research and development into scientific and technological innovations that have commercial applications.

The campus hub is the Hinds University Center, also known as the "UC". Inside the UC is a food court, post office, movie theater, store, video and commuter lounges, Illusions Club, student organization HQs, meeting rooms and office space. For the adventure seeker, Base Camp Cullowhee offers outdoor programs every semester and boasts an extensive inventory of rental gear for those who want to explore the great outdoors, and Western's beautiful mountain surroundings. Right outside the U.C., the quad is a favorite hangout for catching a few rays, throwing Frisbee, or chatting with friends. In 1989, on WCU's 100th birthday, alumni funded the Alumni Tower as a symbol of the impression the university made on them. View Live Web Cam: http://cowee.wcu.edu/uccam/index.html

File:Power905.gif

Power 90dot5 FM Radio

The Fine and Performing Arts Center is an exciting new cultural arts and art education destination for Western North Carolina and the surrounding region. The center combines state-of-the-art educational opportunities for students and instructors with a fresh and inspiring venue for world-class performers and artists. Inside the Center for Applied Technology is a network-quality production/post production facility. "To match what's in this building," says Don Connelly, director of electronic media, "you'll have to go to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Nashville". WWCU, the campus radio station, is the only fully licensed FM radio station in Jackson County, North Carolina.

Other new facilities recently completed at Western are three new residence halls that offer modern conveniences and comfort for students and in April 2008 Western broke ground on two additional residence halls; the Center for Applied Technology also houses new engineering laboratories; an expanded student life center; new and improved athletics facilities that support Western’s intercollegiate sports programs; and a new One Stop Student Support Center that provides a quick and convenient way for students to receive help and conduct business involving financial aid, registration, cashiers services and many other administrative services. Construction on a new Student Recreation Center is currently under way. Check out the progress live on the Webcam at: http://admfin.wcu.edu/fawebcam/index.htm

Construction will shortly begin on a new $46.2 million health and gerontological sciences building. The 145,000-square-foot (13,500 m²) facility will house WCU’s educational and outreach programs in the College of Health and Human Sciences. This facility is the first construction project on the Millennial Initiative property. This new College of Health and Human Sciences facility will become the cornerstone for a “neighborhood of interest” focusing on retirement, aging and health, allowing students and faculty to work with private business and industry. 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. The Millennial Initiative provides a location for private health care provider facilities, specialty housing related to older populations, and companies that supply products or services related to health and aging.

Take a virtual tour of the WCU campus.

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.

Sororities National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Gamma Delta Alpha Xi Delta Delta Zeta Phi Mu Greek Councils & Societies Interfraternity Council Order of Omega

Fraternities North-American Interfraternity Conference (IFC) Delta Chi Delta Sigma Phi Kappa Alpha Order Kappa Sigma Lambda Chi Alpha Pi Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Chi File:NIC-Logo.jpg

Fraternities National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Kappa Alpha Delta Sigma Theta Kappa Alpha Psi Phi Beta Sigma Zeta Phi Beta File:NPHC 75.jpg

Athletics

File:WesternCarolinaCatamounts.png

Western Carolina University Athletic Logo

File:SouthernConference 100.png

Southern Conference‎

Western Carolina University participates in NCAA Division I and since 1976, a member of the Southern Conference. The university's mascot is the Catamount, one of only two universities in the United States with this mascot (the other is the University of Vermont).

Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center

Intercollegiate athletics at Western include men's football, men and women's basketball, baseball, softball, women's soccer, men and women's golf, men and women's track and field, cross country running, women's volleyball and tennis. Catamount football is a member of Division I, Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) and calls E.J. Whitmire Stadium home. The Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center is home to men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball. The Ramsey Center, is the largest arena in Western North Carolina. Baseball is played on the Childress Field 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.

Western Carolina and Appalachian State have a strong rivalry in football where they Battle for the Old Mountain Jug on an annual basis. The Catamount football team was runners-up in the Division I-AA National Title Game in 1983.

School Songs

Fight Song

Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!

Western, Western, Go-Western! Go--Cats!

Fight on! You Catamounts,
Fight for purple and gold.
Fight on to victory,
True warriors bold.
Wave the royal banner high,
And let it fill the Western sky.
So, fight on! you Catamounts,
Fight to vic-to-ry!

Audio Link

Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina's fight song was composed by members of the University faculty.

Western Carolina Alma Mater

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater
Faithful, kind, and true;
Every son and every daughter
Offers praise to you.

- Chorus -

Hail to the dearest spot of all;
Hail to WCU!
Light and life and fond devotion
All to thee are due.

- Chorus -

Purple robes and colors golden,
Streaming everywhere,
Swell our hearts with pride for olden
Days and friendships dear.

- Chorus -

Under shade trees' friendly bowers,
Voices, ever gay,
Mingles with breath of flowers
And the song birds' lay.

- Chorus -

Shout aloud with one loud chorus,
Voices clear and true,
Lifted high in praise and honor,
All for WCU!

- Chorus -

Audio Link

Marching Band

Under the School of Music and over 300 members strong, the Pride of the Mountains Catamount Marching Band is one of the most innovative and largest marching bands in the country. WCU hosts an annual Tournament of Champions for high school bands every Fall. The band is directed by Mr. Bob Buckner and Mr. Matt Henley.

The marching band played a role in My Fellow Americans, a 1996 movie starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner as feuding ex-presidents of the United States caught in a financial scandal and cover-up by their successors. The comedy-drama also starred Dan Aykroyd, Lauren Bacall, John Heard, Wilford Brimley, Jeff Yagher, and Esther Rolle.

Most of the principal filming for the movie was done in the mountains of western North Carolina including scenes: along the Rocky Broad River where it flows into Lake Lure in Rutherford County, Dillsboro, along the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad; Waynesville, where a giant clown sign crashes through their windshield as they try to flee; and in Asheville, at the Biltmore Estate, where many scenes set at different locations were filmed.

In Asheville, the downtown area stands in for an unnamed town in West Virginia. There, the Western Carolina Marching Band portrays the "Marching Dorothys" (from the Wizard of Oz), at a gay pride parade. Lemmon and Garner meet one of the "Dorothys" in the band (Yagher), who unknown to them, is also a gay United States Secret Service agent. Later in the plot, while on sniper duty at the White House, he recognizes them and makes a crucial decision which saves their lives.

Mountain Heritage Center

The Mountain Heritage Center celebrates the cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region. The museum was founded in 1979, and located in the H. F. Robinson Administration Building. The Center is committed to public history, especially to interpreting current academic studies of Appalachia to the public. Its programming highlights traditional music and crafts along with the history and natural history of Appalachia. The Smithsonian Institution and the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress have adopted some of its programming. The center studies, documents, and interprets the history and culture of Southern Appalachia. The museum collects artifacts, builds exhibitions, documents and presents traditional craft demonstrations, musical performances, produces books and musical recordings. The museum's collection of over 10,000 artifacts is rich in agricultural implements, woodworking tools, and transportation equipment. Major research exhibits have examined the Scotch-Irish, various handicraft traditions, and mountain trout. Click on the Digital Heritage Network for lectures recorded at the Mountain Heritage Center.

Mountain Heritage Day

File:MHDstamp.gif

Held each year on Western's campus, Mountain Heritage Day is a showcase for authentic Southern Appalachian folk arts combined with an old-fashioned mountain fair. The festival attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually, and is rated as one of the top 200 craft events in the United States. Western Carolina's Mountain Heritage Center provides demonstrations and exhibitions of traditional mountain crafts and skill such as basket making, weaving, quilting, and woodcarving. The Mountain Heritage Center's objective for the Mountain Heritage Day is the linking of generations and helping maintain authentic folk arts of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Vititors to the Mountain Heritage Day can expect music and dance (clogging, fiddle and banjo music, and shape-note singing) as well as crafts, food and fun. Western's 34th annual Mountain Heritage Day will be held on September 27, 2008 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and admission is free.

Notable Alumni

• 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
• 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]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.
• 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.
• 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
  View his player profile
• 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

External links

• University of North Carolina-Association of Student Governments

Campus Links

• Western Carolina University's main website
• Student Government Association
• Hunter Library
• Catamount Athletics Website
• Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center (Arena)
• The Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University
• The Mountain Heritage Center
• Power 90.5 - WCU's student run radio station
• Undergraduate Admissions Website
• The Western Carolinian (University Newspaper)
• WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

Maps and Aerial Photos

• Campus Map
• Driving Directions
• Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps.
• Satellite image from Google Local.