Archives for February 2025

SPOT the Catabot

Written story originally published in The Western Carolinian Over a year ago, on June 12, 2023, the College of Engineering added a new addition to the team that gained campus attention, SPOT the robotic dog.   The Engineering Department received $98.8 million from state legislators to help expand the program in 2023. From those funds, $95.3 million […]

‘Webster history is not dead’

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald in Jan. 29 edition. History never goes away and neither did the Webster Historical Society. Last week, about 20 people met at Webster United Methodist Church to pump some life back into the organization. Attendees ranged from newer Webster residents to those currently and formerly on the Webster […]

The crime of campus kickflips

What’s the hardest thing about skateboarding?The fall. To many students’ dismay, WCU’s policy banning skateboarding is campus wide and active, prohibiting students from using skateboards for leisure or transportation anywhere on WCU streets and sidewalks. The ban, which also prohibits the use of rollerblades and roller skates, aims to promote a safe environment on campus. […]

Trump’s executive orders on undocumented citizens worries students and WCU administration

President Donald Trump has made his stance clear when it comes to the United States-Mexico border: deport undocumented citizens, close the borders and make immigration and asylum more difficult in the United States. Many members of the Latinx community on Western Carolina University’s campus are worried. Worried about their loved ones who may be in […]

Black History 101 Mobile Museum visits WCU

“Black history is American history, and we want to give people a thorough understanding of how broad and deep our contributions to society have been,” said Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum.  Western Carolina University and DegreePlus hosted the Black History 101 Mobile Museum on Feb. 3 to provide a […]

“Crazy goofy fun”: The Outhouse Races return

Story originally published in The Sylva Herald Feb. 5 edition. Outhouses are a rare sight these days and occupied outhouses on skis sliding downhill even rarer. Visitors to the  Sapphire Valley Ski Area can enjoy the sight in February when the Great Sapphire Outhouse Race hits the slopes. “It’s like NASCAR on ice,” said RJ […]