WCU legend in promoting the institution is retiring

Western Carolina University chief communications officer, Bill Studenc, will retire in January after almost 32 years of employment at the university. One can often see him walking around campus with a notepad in his hand and a smile on his face. As chief communications officer, Studenc wrote and managed press releases, collaborated with reporters on […]

COVID-19 spikes force WCU to shift from in-person to virtual commencements for December

Story from the WCU Public Relations office.  In response to concerns about the surge of COVID-19 cases across North Carolina and the U.S. and in consultation with the Jackson County Department of Public Heath, Western Carolina University is canceling the modified in-person commencement ceremonies scheduled for Dec. 10-13 and shifting to a series of virtual […]

“Get on board” with WCU students skateboarding petition

For many students at Western Carolina University, skateboarding is a reliable and relaxing form of transportation on campus that is quick and efficient. It is not unusual to see students coasting around campus with penny-boards, longboards, and skateboards, but according to Title IX of the Official Parking Regulations, skateboards are banned on campus. WCU sent […]

World traveling college student during a pandemic

Traveling the world was easy, but becoming a freshman in college during a global pandemic was harder. Brenna Dunn, a 20-year-old out-of-state freshman at Western Carolina University is experiencing college in a different way than most normal freshmen have in years past. However, now she is living through a global pandemic. Before attending WCU, Dunn took […]

WCU students affected by COVID-19

Most students in college stress about grades and social life, however during a global pandemic, they are risking their lives to go to school. As of Nov. 23, 406 students have tested positive for COVID-19 at WCU since the start of testing on July 1 as reported by the university’ss COVID-19 Data Dashboard. However, this information […]

Jackson cases rise; death toll now stands at 8

By Dave Russell Story originally published in The Sylva Herald on Nov. 12, 2020 edition  Jackson County recorded its eighth death due to COVID-19 last Wednesday. The victim was between the ages of 25-49 years old and had underlying health conditions, according to Melissa McKnight of the Jackson County Department of Public Health. COVID-19 cases […]