We are pleased to introduce Cherokee language mini lessons to The Western Carolinian! Western Carolina University sits on land that once belonged to the Cherokee people and was called Tali Tsisgwayahi, meaning Two Sparrows Town. In 2019, the Cherokee people declared a state of emergency for the language, as the […]
Author: Mattilynn Sneed
Election season: What you need to know to vote this year
The general election is upon us once again. Despite damage caused by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina State Board of Elections did not extend voting registration deadline. Although the registration deadline has passed, voters can still register and vote during North Carolina’s in-person early voting period until Nov. 2. Election […]
Mountain Heritage Day’s 50th anniversary cancelled
Hurricane Helene has had an incredible impact on Western North Carolina. Much of the area is still recovering and will continue to for quite some time. Cullowhee was lucky to be spared from the worst of the storm. While the university itself wasn’t hit hard, many of its people were. […]
Warren Wilson College: Resilience in the Face of Hurricane Helene
Warren Wilson College, nestled in the picturesque town of Swannanoa in North Carolina, blends the natural beauty outside the classroom with strong community ties inside it. Nestled in the vast expanse of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this campus is like a nature resort with its rolling hills and serene landscapes. […]
WCU prepares for Hurricane Helene
This story was written on September 26, the day Hurricane Helene arrived in Western North Carolina. As the tropical bands of Hurricane Helene approach Western North Carolina, classes are canceled Thursday, Sep. 26, and Friday Sep. 27. By the time the storm reaches Cullowhee it is expected to be a […]
Professors navigate course changes amid unexpected university closures
All classes at WCU were suspended from Sept 26 through Oct 11 due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. WCU’s fall break, Oct 14 through Oct 18, continued as scheduled, leaving students out of the classroom for nearly three and a half weeks. To accommodate, professors had to restructure their […]
Marshall citizens spearhead post hurricane recovery efforts in their town
“The destruction is just the first chapter, but the real story is the way people have responded,” Josh Copus, owner of Old Marshall Jail Hotel and Zadie’s said. Marshall, a small town just north of Asheville, was one of the worst affected by the flooding on Sep. 27. Hurricane Helene […]
Lending a helping paw: How students have volunteered in the wake of Hurricane Helene
Cullowhee came out of Hurricane Helene with minimal damage, however many neighboring counties were less fortunate. Flooding and loss of utilities devastated communities across Western North Carolina and the cancellation of classes left many WCU students eager to get out and help. Every student had a different reason to volunteer. […]
Cullowhee Community Garden still grows after severe flooding
Cullowhee Community Garden’s peaceful ambience is often enjoyed by gardeners, volunteers and visitors alike. The Cullowhee Creek flows behind it adding a cherry on top by making the soil more ideal for growing while providing the soothing sound of trickling water. What was once the perfect complement to the garden […]
A “perfect storm” the misinformation of Hurricane Helene
As Western North Carolina recovers from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, misinformation and disinformation continue to spread through social media. The rumors spread have created mistrust hindering effective relief efforts. “These rumors – or whatever they are – are usually presented as factual information when it is not actually based […]
