Kim Parker was spending a normal weekend afternoon with family in the living room when she spied something out the window that left her speechless. “I looked out and at first I couldn’t get the words out. I’m just pointing at the yard. The bear just came down from my neighbor’s yard, and then just […]
Navigating the Post-Graduation Path: Insights from WCU Alumni
February 28, 2024 by
There are approximately 1,800 WCU students preparing to graduate this spring, many of whom are wondering ‘Will I be able to find a job in my field?’ But some are asking a different question: ‘Does it really matter if I do?’ To help answer these questions, six WCU alumni who graduated within a 22-year span […]
“A place at the table for everyone”
May 15, 2023 by
Beulah Land, a local drag queen, artist and advocate for social change talks about what it’s like being a drag queen. She begins her day as any of us. Her daily job is working as a barista in downtown Sylva. But when the day draws to a close, Land gets to a different type of werk. […]
Diving into the world of drag with Bayleigh Katch
February 15, 2022 by
Bayleigh Katch (they/them) is a student at Western Carolina University who performs drag in the Sylva area. They are a junior double majoring in criminal justice and emergency/disaster management. Katch’s first performance happened at Sylva Pride this past September. They performed alongside other drag queens in the area like Beulah Land, Ida Carolina, and Calcutta. […]
Vulnerability in relationships are critical to our health
November 22, 2021 by
The story co-written with Chloe Ettinger Relationships are what make us human. That’s what Dr. Candy Noltensmeyer, 2021 student nominated faculty of the year award winner, said during the “Last Lecture” presentation on Thursday, Nov. 18. Noltensmeyer is an associate professor at Western Carolina University in the Communications Department. Her research focuses on forms of […]
WCU alum returns to head important athletics position
November 16, 2021 by
In November 2020, Tyler Pope was self-employed and producing a sports podcast with two of his friends from his undergraduate and graduate years. A year removed, he holds one of the most important positions in the Western Carolina University Athletic Department. Pope, a native of Burlington, N.C., was hired in September 2021. A WCU graduate […]
