Originally published by The Smokey Mountain News Western Carolina University’s Pride of the Mountains marching band recently returned from its first trip across the pond, where they were invited to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin, Ireland. Unlike any other trip the band has taken before in […]
Author: Abigail Quinn
BearWise keeps bears wild in Waynesville
Originally published by The Mountaineer 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 […]
Landing the big one: Rise in trout fishing supports outdoor economy
Originially published by The Mountaineer Haywood County ranks in the top five most popular counties for trout fishing in North Carolina, which contributes $1.38 billion annually to the state’s economy, according to a comprehensive study that analyzed the economic impact of trout fishing. The newly-released study was developed by the […]
Rain won’t stop this party, NC Smokies Ice Fest continues despite rainy weather
Originally published by The Mountaineer Ice sculptures dotted the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds creating vast opportunities for photos and fun activities for kids. Though the second annual NC Smokies Ice Fest was threatened by bad weather, it remained a success in the eyes of the attendees. Adults and children alike […]
Student activists bring awareness to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Originally published by the Smoky Mountain News As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict rages on, students across the world and across Western North Carolina are organizing to bring awareness to their cause and express their feelings about the ongoing hostilities. “Our protests aren’t as big as those in New York or other […]
WCU communication professor receives Fulbright Fellowship
Katerina Spasovska, associate professor of communication at Western Carolina University, has been selected as a Fulbright Fellowship recipient for 2024. Spasovska will use the fellowship to travel to Kosovo to teach and research topics of interest. Spasovska’s fellowship will span from February to July where she will live in the […]
From trash to treasure: The dumpster diving journey
When campus slows down and students begin to prepare to move home for winter and summer, campus becomes a dumpster diving paradise. Students pack their bags and cars as tightly as possible before leaving miscellaneous items in the dumpster. For a seasoned dumpster diver like Reagan Clifton, this is when […]
Students displaced by lease gap
Every year, misaligned housing leases cause students to be displaced. In the period between one lease end and another lease beginning, there is a consistent 20-day gap among local apartment complexes. During this time, students who cannot return home are effectively homeless and have no choice but to float couch […]
Catamount on the loose: A fierce new statue roars
The catamount statue located at the roundabout at the entrance to campus has been removed to make way for a new statue that boasts a fresh design and massive size difference from the original. The new statue, designed by Jon Hair, will have a new fierce pose and design voted […]
Tuckasegee River has more than just garbage
Originally published in The Western Carolina Journalist In the early afternoon, with mist still clinging to the waters of the river, hundreds of WCU students descend to the banks of the Tuckasegee river for the Tuck River Cleanup. Throughout the day, thousands of pounds of trash are removed. Digging through the muck and […]