WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

'Western Carolina University' is one of the sixteen public universities that make up the University of North Carolina System. Western Carolina is a comprehensive university offering a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs, and is recognized as a national leader in the application of computer technology in education. Western Carolina offers degree programs at the bachelor, masters and doctoral levels.
The university's academic structure is composed of four undergraduate colleges:
Applied Sciences
Arts and Sciences
Business

Education and Allied Professions

Honors College

Graduate School.
The Honors College, a community of high-achieving students, is the only one of its kind in North Carolina, with accepted students invited to live in one of two honors residences.
Western's rigorous academic program is led by a full-time faculty of about 335, providing a student-faculty ratio of 16 to 1 for the student body of about 9,000 students. The university also operates resident-credit centers in Asheville and Cherokee. Through credit and noncredit instructional courses, continuing education offerings, and workshop, conference and service programs, the university serves nearly 12,000 people each year. In the spring of 2000, WCU was officially designated a National Meritsponsoring university, just the fourth institution of higher education in North Carolina, public or private, to receive that distinction.
Western's emphasis on involving undergraduate students in research is drawing national attention. The university has ranked in the nation's top 20 for three years in a row in the number of papers presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. In 2006, the College of Education and Allied Professions was the national winner of the Association of Teacher Educators' Distinguished Program in Teacher Education Award and a national finalist for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Christa McAuliffe Award for Exemplary Programs in Teacher Education.

Contents

History

Campus

Majors

Greek Life

Athletics

Fight Song

Western Carolina Alma Mater

Former Students

External links

Campus Links

Maps and Aerial Photos

History

Western Carolina University was founded in August 1889 as a semi-public secondary school and chartered as Cullowhee High School in 1891. The founder, Professor Robert Lee Madison, wanted to provide an education for the young people in the region and train teachers to spread education throughout the western part of the state. In 1893 the Legislature designated the school as the first publicly funded normal school.
Over the next 40 years, the school expanded its curriculum and evolved into a junior college, and in 1929 it was chartered by the legislature as a four-year institution under the name Western Carolina Teachers College. Often called “the Cullowhee experiment,” Madison’s idea became the model for the other regional colleges in the state.
The demand for the liberal arts and programs in other areas of learning led to an expansion of the school's offerings. Postgraduate studies and the Master of Arts in Education degree were added to the curriculum in 1951 after several decades of rapid growth and sweeping changes. In 1953, the name Western Carolina College was adopted.
In 1967 the institution was designated a regional university by the North Carolina General Assembly and Western Carolina University was given its current title. On July 1, 1972, WCU became a member of the University of North Carolina system.
As member of the University of North Carolina system, Western Carolina now provides an education to more than 9,000 students from 46 states and 39 countries. The university’s mission is focused on quality education and preparation for responsible citizenship in a changing world. Since its founding, WCU has grown in size to become a major cultural, scientific, and educational force in the region and the state—and still growing.
Academic programs span more than 120 specialties—including the nation’s highest-ranked entrepreneurship and project management programs, a national award-winning teacher education program, a criminal justice program used as a model for North Carolina’s accreditation program, and the nation’s first accredited four-year emergency medical care program. The new Western Carolina Forensic Anthropology program operates one of only two "Body Farms" in the United States. The other one is located in Knoxville, Tennessee at the University of Tennessee.
Western Carolina's distinguished faculty includes national award-winning authors, nationally and internationally recognized experts, and winners of Emmy, O. Henry, and National Endowment for the Arts awards—to name a few.

Campus

Western Carolina is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina in Jackson County, with two satellite campuses in Asheville and Cherokee. Cullowhee is located in a picturesque valley of the Tuckasegee River between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, 52 miles west of Asheville. The university lies close to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and some of the nation's most beautiful national forest lands. Adjacent to the Great Smoky mountains, WCU has a commitment to the rich traditions of the Appalachian and Cherokee cultures with the main campus being located on the site of an ancient Cherokee Indian village. The Mountain Heritage Center, Cherokee CenterandCraft Revival Project reflect the influence—at the same time providing irreplaceable educational resources for the region.
The recently announced Millennial Initiative doubling the size of the campus in 2005, will be a knowledge enterprise zone where university faculty and students, private industry, and government partners conduct research and development into scientific and technological innovations that have commercial applications. WCU continues its promise to the region by giving students intensive, hands-on educational opportunities while simultaneously promoting economic development.
The $30 million Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University is an exciting new cultural arts and art education destination for Western North Carolina and the surrounding region. Set in a beautiful valley between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, the center combines state-of-the-art educational opportunities for students and instructors with a fresh and inspiring venue for world-class performers and artists. Inside Western's new Center for Applied Technologyis a network-quality production/post production facility. "To match what's in this building," says Don Connelly, director of electronic media, "you'll have to go to New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Nashville." WWCU, the campus radio station is the only fully licensed FM radio station in Jackson County, North Carolina.
The campus hub is the Hinds University Center, also known as the "U.C." Inside you'll find a food court, post office, movie theater, store, video and commuter lounges, Illusions Club, student organization HQs, meeting rooms and office space. If you're an adventure seeker, Base Camp Cullowhee offers outdoor programs every semester and boasts an extensive inventory of rental gear for those who want to explore the great outdoors, our beautiful surroundings. Right outside the U.C., the quad's the favorite hangout for catching a few rays, throwing Frisbee, or chatting with friends. On WCU's 100th birthday in 1989, alumni funded the Alumni Tower as a symbol of the impression the university made on them. View Live Web Cam: http://www.wcu.edu/admissions/uccam.html
Visitors to Western’s campus will find a radically different campus than
the one that existed just five short years ago. With N.C. voters’ approval of a statewide higher education bond package in fall 2000, the university launched into a building boom of a magnitude never before seen on campus. Western’s share of the bonds — $98 million – represents the largest single infusion of funds in the university’s history. Combined with federal funds and selfsupporting projects, the $130 million in new and renovated buildings and roads is redrawing the campus map as the university prepares for projected enrollment growth in the decade ahead.
New facilities already completed at Western are three new residence halls
that offer modern conveniences and comfort for students; the Center for Applied
Technology, which houses audio and video production studios and engineering
laboratories; an expanded student life center; new and improved athletics facilities that support Western’s intercollegiate sports programs; and a new One Stop Student Support Center that provides a quick and convenient way for students to receive help and conduct business involving financial aid, registration, cashiers services and many other administrative services. Construction on a new Student Recreation Center is currently under under way. Check out the progress live on the Webcam at: http://admfin.wcu.edu/fawebcam/index.htm
Take a virtual tour of the campus.

Majors

'Accounting' ''B.S.B.A.'' Certified public accountant, financial officer, account executive, purchasing agent.

'Anthropology' ''B.A., B.S.'' Historian, archaeologist, researcher, archivist, museum curator.

'Art' ''B.A., B.F.A.'' Graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, sculptor, ceramicist, art historian, museum employee.

'Art Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' Art teacher (grades K-12).

'Athletic Training' ''B.S.'' Athletic trainer, physical therapist (with Master's degree).

'Biology' ''B.S.'' Ecologist, wildlife conservationist, agriculturist, lab technician; pre-med.

'Birth-Kindergarten' ''B.S.'' Daycare personnel, kindergarten teacher.

'Business Administration and Law' ''B.S.B.A.'' Bank examiner, credit manager, detective, tax agent, security adviser; pre-law.

'Chemistry' ''B.A., B.S.'' Metallurgist, forensic expert, chemical engineer, quality control supervisor, chemist.

'Clinical Laboratory Sciences' ''B.S.'' Clinical laboratory scientist in hospitals, industry, research, and private labs.

'Communication' ''B.S.'' Writer, broadcaster, specialist in print media, public relations, or electronic news media.

'Communication Science and Disorders' '' B.S.Ed.'' Speech-language pathologist (private practice, healthcare, daycare centers, or schools).

'Computer Information Systems' ''B.S.B.A.'' Information systems manager, database administrator, systems analyst, support staff.

'Computer Science' ''B.S.'' Systems analyst, network administrator, applications and systems developer.

'Construction Management' ''B.S.'' Assistant project manager, superintendent, scheduler, cost engineer, field engineer, office engineer, estimator, and project engineer.

'Criminal Justice' ''B.S.'' Forensic scientist, investigative officer, patrolman, game warden, bailiff, probation officer; pre-law.

'Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology' ''B.S.'' Systems analyst, automation engineer, hardware design engineer, electrical engineer, electrical integrator, software engineer, process engineer, product engineer, satellite systems engineer, technical support, test engineer, engineer, engineering specialist, maintenance engineer.

'Electrical Engineering' ''B.S.'' Electrical engineer.

'Elementary Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' Teacher (grades K-6).

'Emergency Management' ''B.S.'' Homeland Security, FEMA, Dept. of Health & Human Services, Dept. Justice; State, County & Local Gvt.; Not-for-Profit; Private/Commercial/Business sector

'Emergency Medical Care' ''B.S.'' Paramedic, EMS supervisor, regulator, training officer, community college instructor.

'Engineering Technology' ''B.S.'' 3D computer-aided design and animation, engineering technologist, applications engineer, product development and testing engineer, engineering sales and distribution, technical manager, safety engineer, technical illustrator, technical writer, project engineer, automation engineer.

'English' ''B.A.'' Public relations specialist, advertising copywriter, educator, newspaper reporter; pre-law.

'English Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' English teacher (grades 9-12).

'Entrepreneurship' ''B.S.'' Venture capitalist, individual business owner, entrepreneur.

'Environmental Health' ''B.S.'' Environmental toxicologist, industrial hygienist, health safety, quality assurance specialist.

'Environmental Science' ''B.S.'' Could lead to positions in environmental ecology, conservation, environmental chemistry, environmental biology or fisheries science.

'Finance' '' B.S.B.A.'' Controller, financial planner, real estate broker, banker, credit and loan officer.

'Geology' ''B.S., B.S.Ed.'' Environmental geologist/scientist, hydrogeologist, petroleum geologist, science teacher, structural geologist, water quality/restoration specialist.

'German' '' B.A.'' International business executive, civil and foreign service employee, advertising agent, interpreter.

'German Education ' ''B.S.Ed.'' German language teacher (grades K-12).

'Health Information Administration' ''B.S.'' Manager or director, insurance company manager, health data analyst.

'History' ''B.A., B.S.'' Educator, museum curator, archivist, historian, or government employee; pre-law.

'Hospitality and Tourism' ''B.S.'' Hotel, lodging, or food service manager; restaurant operator; vendor or supplier.

'Humanities' ''B.A.'' An excellent foundational program, the Humanities degree leads to a number of careers--especially those that are language-related--and also provides academic preparation for various graduate programs.

'Interior Design' '' B.S.'' Color theorist, display designer, interior designer, residential architect.

'International Business' ''B.S.'' International banker, stockbroker, import and export broker, business forecaster.

'Management' ''B.S.B.A.'' Human resource manager, labor relations director, manager.

'Marketing' '' B.S.B.A.'' Account executive, buyer, communications officer, promotion director, analyst, wholesaler.
'Mathematics' '' B.S.'' Statistician, cryptographer, demographer, risk manager, operations research analyst.

'Mathematics Education' B.S.Ed. Mathematics teacher (grades 9-12).

Middle Grades Education ''B.S.Ed.'' Teacher (grades 6-9).

'Music' '' B.A.'' Music industry (retail, customer service, etc.).

'Music ' '' B.M.'' Performer, arranger, private lesson teacher, accompanist, recording engineer.

'Music Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' Music teacher (grades K-12), conductor, director.

'Natural Resources Management' ''B.S.'' Hydrologist, conservationist, land use planner, water and forest resources manager.

'Nursing' ''B.S.N. '' Nurse in hospitals, medical centers, home health, community health agencies, nursing homes.

'Nutrition and Dietetics' '' B.S.'' Dietician/nutritionist in a hospital, health department, wellness program, government agency.

'Parks and Recreation Management' '' B.S.'' Recreation specialist, outdoor planner, park manager, park technician, recreation director.

'Philosophy and Religion' '' B.A.'' Business manager, technical writer, government employee; pre-law.

'Physical Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' Physical education teacher and/or coach in schools, camps, YMCAs, and businesses.

'Political Science' ''B.A., B.S.'' Government executive, congressional staff member, budget director; pre-law.

'Psychology' '' B.S.'' Personnel officer, employment counselor, marketing researcher, daycare supervisor.

'Recreational Therapy' ''B.S.'' Therapeutic worker with the aged, impaired, or disadvantaged in healthcare settings.

'Science Education' ( Earth Science , Biology , Chemistry, Physics ) ''B.S.Ed.'' Science teacher (9-12).

'Secondary Education' '' B.S.Ed.'' Teacher (9-12).

'Social Sciences' ''B.A., B.S.'' Library science worker, minister; pre-law.

'Social Sciences Education' ''B.S.Ed.'' Social Sciences teacher (grades 9-12).

'Social Work' ''B.S.'' Social worker in mental or public health, social services, juvenile court.

'Sociology' '' B.A., B.S.'' Probation or parole officer, counselor, sociologist, business manager, social worker.

'Spanish' ''B.A.'' International executive, civil and foreign service employee, translator, interpreter.

'Spanish Education' '' B.S.Ed.'' Spanish language teacher (grades K-12).

'Special Education (General)' ''B.S.Ed.'' Special Education teacher (grades K-12) working with children with learning disabilities or mental retardation.

'Special Studies' ''B.A., B.S.'' Individually designed major leading to various career choices.

'Speech and Theatre Arts' ''B.A.'' Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks, public speaker.

'Sport Management' ''B.S.'' Marketing executive, fitness club manager, ticket manager, athletic trainer, recreation specialist.

'Telecommunications Engineering Technology' ''B.S.'' Applications developer, consultant, customer service representative, LAN administrator, network administrator, network analyst, operations analyst, systems analyst, technical trainer.

'Theatre' ''B.A., B.F.A.'' Actor, director, designer, technician for stage, television, theme parks.

Greek Life

WCU is home to a wide range of Greek fraternities and sororities, as well as several councils and societies. The Greek community offers many social opportunities to enrich college life. Greeks get personal guidance in planning their curriculum and choosing classes and instructors, and assistance with registration and financial aid. Chapter study sessions, educational programs, tutoring, and study partners and teams offer support for developing and maintaining study skills. Greeks are recognized for their academic successes through Greek scholarship and awards programs and honor societies such as the Order of Omega.
'Sororities'

Alpha Gamma Delta

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Alpha Xi Delta

Delta Sigma Theta

Delta Zeta

Phi Mu

Zeta Phi Beta

'Fraternities'

Alpha Kappa Psi

Alpha Phi Alpha

Delta Chi

Delta Sigma Phi

Kappa Alpha Order

Kappa Alpha Psi

Kappa Sigma

Lambda Chi Alpha

Phi Beta Sigma

Phi Mu Alpha

Pi Kappa Alpha

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Chi

'Greek Councils & Societies'

Interfraternity Council

National Pan-Hellenic Council

Panhellenic Council

Order of Omega

Athletics

Western Carolina University is a NCAA member school and has been a member of the Southern Conference since 1976.
The university's mascot is the Catamount, one of only two universities in the United States with this mascot. The other is the University of Vermont.
Western Carolina University intercollegiate athletics include men's football, men and women's basketball, men's baseball, women's softball, women's soccer, golf, track and field, cross country running, women's volleyball, and tennis among others. The university competes in the Southern Conference as part of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision for football and NCAA Division I athletics for all other sports. The Catamounts currently hold a NCAA Men's Basketball record for their 1996 2-point loss to Purdue University. A #16 seed has never won a NCAA Div I. tournament game against a #1 Seed. The Ramsey Center, home of men's and women's basketball at WCU is the largest arena in Western North Carolina. The Catamount football team were runners-up in the Division I-AA National Title Game in 1983. Western Carolina and Appalachian State have a strong rivalry in football where they battle for the Old Mountain Jug on an annual basis.

Fight Song

Fight on! You Catamounts,

Fight for purple and gold.

Fight on to victory,

True warriors bold.

Wave the royal banner high,

And let it fill the Western sky.

So, fight on! you Catamounts,

Fight to vic-to-ry!

Western, Western, Go-Western! Go--Cats!
Fight on! You Catamounts,

Fight for purple and gold.

Fight on to victory,

True warriors bold.

Wave the royal banner high,

And let it fill the Western sky.

So, fight on! you Catamounts,

Fight to vic-to-ry!

Audio Link
Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina's fight song was composed by members of the University faculty.

Western Carolina Alma Mater

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater

Faithful, kind, and true;

Every son and every daughter

Offers praise to you.

- Chorus -
Hail to the dearest spot of all;

Hail to WCU!

Light and life and fond devotion

All to thee are due.

Purple robes and colors golden,

Streaming everywhere,

Swell our hearts with pride for olden

Days and friendships dear.

- Chorus -
Under shade trees' friendly bowers,

Voices, ever gay,

Mingles with breath of flowers

And the song birds' lay.

- Chorus -
Shout aloud with one loud chorus,

Voices clear and true,

Lifted high in praise and honor,

All for WCU!

- Chorus -
Audio Link

Former Students

★ Gerald Austin - National Football League referee

★ Kurt Bonnett - Trumpet player in Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps in 2003, World Champions.

★ Dave Bristol- Former Major League Manager (Reds , Brewers, Braves, Giants)

★ Douglas S. Bailey - Former Executive Vice President for the Windsor Group, and is a senior political officer for Associated Industries of Florida

★ Art Byrd - Athlete; First football All-America selection at WCU, 1945

★ Sean Bridgers - Actor, HBO Original Series “Deadwood” (2004), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Once Upon a Time… When We Were Colored (1995), and Nell (1994).

★ Ronnie Carr - Basketball Player, made the first three-point field goal in College Basketball history on Nov 28, 1980

★ Ernest A. Fitzgerald (1947) - a Bishop of the United Methodist Church

★ Jerry Gains (1970-75) Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974, slso earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU

★ Mel Gibson (Basketball) - former basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers

★ Larry Hendricks - President / CEO of Boyles Furniture.

★ Michell Hicks - Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

★ Brad Hoover - Athlete, running back for the Carolina Panthers (NFL).

★ Paul Johnson - Class of 1974 - As Head Football Coach of the U.S. Naval Academy, Johnson received one of the coaching profession’s most prestigious honors in 2005, the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year.

★ Henry Logan - Athlete, in 1964 became NC’s first African-American collegiate athlete, and the first to play basketball for a “white” public institution in 1964.

★ Wayne Tolleson - Athlete; former Major League Baseball player.

★ David Patten -Athlete; wide receiver, three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Currently with the New Orleans Saints(NFL) View his player profile

★ Clyde Simmons - Athlete; defensive end, Philadelphia Eagles

★ Kevin Cassels and Tommy Dennison - Musicians with the rock band Mother Vinegar

★ Kevin Martin (basketball) - Basketball Player, Starting Guard for the Sacramento Kings

★ Tony White- President and CEO of Applera Corporation. Graced the cover of Forbes Magazine and was called the 24 billion dollar gene machine.

★ Dean Biasucci - Athlete, actor; former placekicker, Indianapolis Colts

External links

★ University of North Carolina-Association of Student Governments

Campus Links

★ Western Carolina University's main website

★ Student Government Association

★ Hunter Library

★ Catamount Athletics Website

★ Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center (Arena)

★ The Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University

★ The Mountain Heritage Center

★ Power 90.5 - WCU's student run radio station

★ Undergraduate Admissions Website

★ The Western Carolinian (University Newspaper)

★ WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

Maps and Aerial Photos

★ Campus Map

★ Driving Directions

★ Street map from Google Local or ★ class=wikiexternal target=_blank>-http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?name=&ed=DxUUcOp_0TptPQaX9VXa8.5Fvgde.wYmcw6MvzI4QOXAO_SRP2NwPPSZTup6_WBiNHcbmkxhtm5wtC5tzna7ojRYu3YYAuZxe2iSbJ0-&csz=Cullowhee%2C+NC&desc=&mag=3&ds=n&state=NC&uzip=28723&country=US&BFKey=&cat=trav&resize=l&trf=0 Yahoo! Maps.

★ Satellite image from Google Local.