WCU Ramsey Center was full with happy audience holding signs, flowers and balloons while the graduating class of 2023 walked the stage. And it was a big class. According to WCU site, in three ceremonies WCU awarded 2108 degrees of which 1517 were undergraduate degrees. There were 842 first generation students who walked the stage proudly displaying the fact.
Over 1,700 graduating students walked the Saturday morning ceremony alone, which included the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Allied Professions and the College of Fine and Performing Arts. This does not include the multitude of alumni in attendance as well as guest speakers and family all equaling an overflowing Ramsey Activity Center. Around an estimate total of 1,932 degrees were conferred for this semester. The official number will be coming shortly across the next coming months.
Students sit in Ramsey Activity Center during the 2023 commencement ceremony. Photo by Abigail Quinn. 
A crowd of students sit waiting to be called to the stage for the 2023 spring commencement ceremony. Photo by Western Carolina University. 
A banner hangs in the Ramsey Activity Center during the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. Photo by Abigail Quinn. 
Students wait to collect their diplomas during the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. Photo by Abigail Quinn.
Students waited patiently as Chancellor Kelli R. Brown opened the ceremony with a welcome and introductions. Following the introduction, Chancellor Brown relinquished the podium to members from each the Board of Trustees, Board of Governors and WCU Alumni Association.
Each delivered a heartwarming and encouraging speech to the soon to be graduates. As Allison Hinson said on behalf of the WCU Alumni Association, “I also want to remind you of a truth: you will always have a home here in Cullowhee.”
Grace Vercauteren, graduating senior with the degree in education with concentration in special/ inclusive education from the College of Education and Allied Profession, delivered the primary address for her classmates wishing success and perseverance.
Caleb Wright, a newly graduated senior with a degree in business administration and law describes graduation as scary but also the opening of a multitude of opportunities.
“For me, graduating is a very happy and sad day. The future is very terrifying but so exciting all at the same time!”
Originally from Hendersonville, Wright looks forward to returning there to start a management program at the local Chick-fil-A branch. Though he is moving on from WCU, he describes nothing but positive experiences of his four years. “I am very thankful for the people that made Western so great and excited for the people I’ll meet in the future,” said Wright
Karstin Alfaro graduated with a degree in pre-professional integrated health science and minors in U.S. Latinx studies and biology. She also feels the same opening of opportunity as Wright but will miss the beautiful mountains.
“It feels surreal to be an alumni of WCU, this school has given me the best three years of my life and I am so sad to be leaving my mountain home.”
She plans to take no breaks post-graduation and journey to South Carolina to continue her education. “My plans for post-graduation are moving to Charleston, SC to attend Medical University of South Carolina’s Physician Assistant program,” said Alfaro.
No matter where our Catamounts go post-graduation, we know that they have received a top notch education and irreplaceable memories. They will continue the long purple line of excellence and join the countless numbers of WCU Alumni in all 50 states.
