WCU presents 2011-12 awards for teaching, research, service

Western Carolina University presented its top faculty and staff awards for teaching, research and service for the 2011-12 academic year Friday, April 27, at its annual spring Awards Convocation.

Costa wins fellowship to pursue Darwin research at Berlin institute

Professor James T. Costa is recipient of a one-year fellowship at the Berlin Institute for Advanced Study to research Charles Darwin’s original experiments and how they can be used to enhance education today.

WCU to close out spring semester with three commencement exercises

The nearly 1,300 members of Western Carolina University’s spring graduating class will be honored for their academic achievements as the university holds a trio of commencement ceremonies over a two-day period, May 4-5, at Ramsey Regional Activity Center.

Sholder to return to China for film studio project

Visiting Wuxi, China, with a team of architects and planners designing a state-of-the-art film studio complex earlier this year left Jack Sholder, a consultant on the project, excited about the possibilities not only for the film industry but also for future connections with Western Carolina University.

WCU reinstates Karen Styles Spirit Award

After a six-year lapse, the Recreational Therapy Program at Western Carolina University has reinstated an award honoring a much-loved and often-remembered alumna and victim of a high-profile Western North Carolina murder.

News Briefs

• The N.C Department of Transportation will christen the newest addition to the state ferry system in honor of Western Carolina University in a ceremony Friday, May 11, at Cedar Island. (more...) #
• The Western Carolina University Bookstore will host a reception and book-signing Friday, May 18, featuring Phil Cauley, director of student recruitment and transitions at WCU, and Darrell Frizsell, a former member of the design staff in the university’s Office of Public Relations, who have collaborated on a new children’s book. (more...) #
• The WCU Honors College raised $500 for American Red Cross relief efforts on Somalia during the 2011-12 academic year. (more...) #
• Leading up to the May 8 North Carolina Republican presidential primary and looking toward the Charlotte Democratic National Convention, the C-SPAN Campaign 2012 Bus will embark on a six-day tour of universities and towns throughout the Tar Heel state, including a stop Thursday, May 3, at Western Carolina University. (more...) #
• The Cullowhee Recreation Center One Stop Early Voting site will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Thursday, May 3; noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, May 4; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. (more...) #
• A display of artwork by Jackson County students that started out at the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center in April has moved to Hunter Library for an extended run through July 31. (more...) #
• WCU’s second annual leadership retreat open to all interested faculty, staff and graduate students is centered on the theme “Navigating the Future” and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 31. (more...) #
• The first cohort of four University Participant Program students at Western Carolina University celebrated successfully completing requirements to earn an UP Certificate of Accomplishment from Educational Outreach on Friday, April 27, with a graduation ceremony and cookout in which they learned about disc golf. (more...) #
• At its April 26 meeting, the last of the spring semester, Faculty Senate voted 14-11, with one abstention, to pass the addition of collegiality language to Section 4.04 C of the Faculty Handbook. (more...) #
• WCU’s shutdown of the university’s central steam plant and distribution system for required annual inspection and maintenance will affect heating and hot water availability to parts of campus starting Saturday, May 7. (more...) #
• Members of the Western Carolina University campus family took part in a tree-planting ceremony Tuesday, April 24, in memory of four students who passed away during the past year. (more...) #
• Registration is under way for camps hosted at Western Carolina University centered on sports, creativity, theater, the culture of the region and outdoor adventures. (more...) #