Blast of Arctic weather challenges homeless, those who serve them

This story was written by Quintin Ellison, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Along with cooking for the local soup kitchen’s regular clientele, Gary Wood was hard at work Tuesday preparing enough chili and cornbread to serve an extra 39 people – Jackson County’s homeless. Those facing the vicious cold without homes are finding shelter in local […]

J.R. VanLienden: How a humble food truck owner and his small business could teach us a thing or two

Breaking into the food industry with a small business is a feat met with both emotional and monetary costs. We all know that it’s time consuming, rigorous and overwhelming. According to the US Small Business Association, only 20 percent of businesses will survive their first year while more than 50 percent succumb to defeat after […]

The futures of WCU and WNC – the region it was founded to serve – will forever be inextricably linked

Op-Ed By DAVID O. BELCHER I had the privilege of presiding over Western Carolina University’s Dec. 16 commencement ceremonies and witnessing the great emotion and sense of accomplishment among the graduates. A point of pride at this December’s commencement was that nearly half of the fall graduating class hails from the 18 westernmost counties of […]

First snow closes WCU on last day of classes

The rapidly changing winter weather conditions prompted the university to suspend face-to-face classes (daytime and evening) in Cullowhee and Biltmore Park-Asheville today, Dec. 8. The weather closed all local public and charter schools in Jackson and Haywood county. For WCU employees, University offices will be operating under Condition 1 – Reduced Operations. Commuting faculty and staff […]

WCU rallies in support for Chancellor Belcher

Battles are fought and conquered with the community around one strong enough to withstand any obstacle. In a time of need, Western Carolina University has become just that for Chancellor David O. Belcher. On April 21, 2016, Belcher sent out an email to the entire WCU campus informing that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. […]

WCU’s Chancellor Belcher goes on medical leave, provost steps as interim

UPDATE 11/29/2017 Story from WCU’s Office of Communications and Public Relations University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings has appointed Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar to serve as acting chancellor of Western Carolina University effective Jan. 1, 2018. The official announcement is available at the UNC System website. Dr. Morrison-Shetlar will serve in this role while Chancellor David O. […]