Western Carolina University

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Western Carolina University Cultivating an environment of courageous exploration 💜⛰️ Consistently ranked in the upper echelon of higher education institutions by U.S.

Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains and recognized as a top adventure college, Western Carolina University is renowned for its unrivaled educational experience, its premier Pride of the Mountains Marching Band, and its gritty Catamounts athletics teams, which compete at the NCAA Division I level. As the westernmost institution in the University of North Carolina System and located on a 600-acre mountain campus in Cullowhee with an instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, WCU offers more than 120 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate programs. News & World Report, WCU is among the top 10 for public universities in the South and best value universities in the South. The ranking for best value is a reflection of NC Promise, which reduces the cost of tuition to $500 per semester for North Carolina residents and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students. WCU provides vast opportunities to engage beyond the classroom with more than 170 student organizations, including Greek life featuring 20 sororities and fraternities; the Black Student Union, the Latino Appreciation Student Organization and Intercultural Affairs; and more than 50 club and intramural sports. Students are offered the tools for an engaged learning experience through meaningful service in the community to help transform the college experience, including independent volunteer projects and Days of Service participation. Additionally, WCU provides leadership and advocacy for students and scholars through international programs and activities on campus and the surrounding community, and study abroad opportunities. The campus has a state-of-the-art fitness experience with cardiovascular and weight equipment, multi-purpose courts, an indoor jogging/walking track, group exercise studios, a 48-foot indoor climbing wall, and an on-campus trail system. The John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center is home to WCU’s 1,000-seat Performance Hall, Josefina Niggli Studio Theatre and the WCU Fine Art Museum. More than a beautiful setting in Catamount Nation, WCU offers a supportive community that recognizes students’ full potential and provides nationally ranked programs to achieve their goals.

Can't wait to see everyone for homecoming next week! 😊💜homecoming.wcu.edu
10/14/2026

Can't wait to see everyone for homecoming next week! 😊💜

homecoming.wcu.edu

On Oct. 7, WCU School of Nursing and Wider Circle celebrated the opening of the CATalyst Clinic, a nurse-managed communi...
10/10/2026

On Oct. 7, WCU School of Nursing and Wider Circle celebrated the opening of the CATalyst Clinic, a nurse-managed community health clinic designed to improve access to care and connect residents with health resources in Haywood County.

The CATalyst Clinic is an interprofessional community clinic supported by WCU's School of Nursing and staffed by faculty, supervised students and community partners. The clinic will provide free health services and support for individuals who may have limited access to regular health care.

“The launch of the CATalyst Clinic represents a significant step forward for Haywood County in improving access to primary and mental health care for the community,” said Jaclyn Bandell, associate professor in WCU’s School of Nursing and medical director for the CATalyst Clinic. “Our clinic aims to meet individuals where they are, create a trusted healthcare team, and provide a low-barrier opportunity to engage in free care for acute, chronic and preventative health needs.”

https://bit.ly/4jLOxn9

For 467 years, an eastern hemlock in the mountains of Western North Carolina has counted the seasons ring by ring. Now, ...
10/08/2026

For 467 years, an eastern hemlock in the mountains of Western North Carolina has counted the seasons ring by ring. Now, Highlands Biological Station scientist Liam Stiefel has translated those rings into music, allowing us to listen to the tree’s centuries-old record.

By translating measurements of its growth into musical notes, and by combining its tune with those of three younger neighbors, Stiefel has distilled more than four centuries into a 4-minute, 19-second melody.

COK021, the first member of this creekside quartet, is the oldest eastern hemlock yet documented in the southern Appalachians, with its first ring dating back to 1559.

Check out the song! ⬇️

For 467 years, an eastern hemlock in the mountains of Western North Carolina has counted the seasons ring by ring. Now, Highlands Biological Station scientist Liam Stiefel has translated those rings into music to allow us to listen to the tree's centuri...

For the first time in 30 years, Western Carolina University is welcoming a new sorority back on campus. Alpha Xi Delta, ...
10/06/2026

For the first time in 30 years, Western Carolina University is welcoming a new sorority back on campus.

Alpha Xi Delta, a women’s fraternity, has returned to WCU after a short hiatus, starting this fall.

Alpha Xi Delta, which was originally chartered at WCU in 1966, left campus in 2021. This addition provides students with a unique opportunity to be a founding member and a chance for Alpha Xi Delta alumni to have another connection back to WCU.

https://bit.ly/4y4ync0

For the first time in 30 years, Western Carolina University is welcoming a new sorority back on campus. Alpha Xi Delta, a women’s fraternity, has returned to WCU after a short hiatus, starting this fall.

What an incredible win against Tennessee Tech! 🎉Don’t miss out on the next game! It’s homecoming on October 24th. See yo...
10/04/2026

What an incredible win against Tennessee Tech! 🎉

Don’t miss out on the next game! It’s homecoming on October 24th. See you all there!

10/01/2026

Homecoming won't be the same without you! 💜

Make plans to come back to Cullowhee, October 19-24th, for all the fun! The full schedule of events can be found at homecoming.wcu.edu.

The past week in Cullowhee was filled with celebrations of Appalachian culture and heritage during Mountain Heritage Day...
09/30/2026

The past week in Cullowhee was filled with celebrations of Appalachian culture and heritage during Mountain Heritage Days. Through live music, arts and crafts, food, and cherished traditions, the community came together to honor the rich history of our mountain region.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

09/29/2026

We believe that a WCU education should always remain in the reach of the students who need it most.

Today, Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the Catamount Commitment as the university’s priority for the year ahead, with a goal of raising $1.5 million in financial aid for our students. Gifts to the Catamount Commitment open the door to our campus even wider and reduce the financial burden for our students.

Listen to Chancellor Brown’s message below and learn more about how you can be part of the Catamount Commitment.

MakeAGift.wcu.edu

Another night game wasn't on the schedule, but we'll take a win under the lights! 🏈📣
09/20/2026

Another night game wasn't on the schedule, but we'll take a win under the lights! 🏈📣

Show off your favorite campus photo in the comments!
09/18/2026

Show off your favorite campus photo in the comments!

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1 University Way
Cullowhee, NC
28723

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