Skip to main content

WCU Stories

Julian Manrique

WCU alumnus Julian Manrique shines as law school grad, attorney

After taking some challenging chemistry classes, Julian Manrique decided to reconsider his major. He was a biology major with a concentration in pre-dental, but following some thinking, the curious Western Carolina University student switched over to business administration and law.  

Forsyth Business

Justin Pace to lead WCU School of Accounting, Finance, Info Systems, Business Law

Justin Pace, assistant professor of business law at Western Carolina University, has been named director of the School of Accounting, Finance, Information Systems and Business Law in the College of Business.   

Aaron Speyer

Young alumni spotlight: Speyer reaching for the stars as systems engineer

Western Carolina University alumnus Aaron Speyer doesn’t remember much about his trip to the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia when he was six years old — but he remembers that initial fascination with space.  

Man sitting at table working on laptop and smiling

WCU’s undergraduate business degree program makes U.S. News and World Report’s list for 2025 Best Online Programs

Western Carolina University’s online undergraduate business administration and law degree has been ranked 87th on U.S. News and World Report’s list of 2025 Best Online Programs.  

Debra Burke

Burke receives $235K grant to continue agricultural mediation programs

The North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program and the Farm Agricultural Resources and Mediation of Virginia have been two mainstays at Western Carolina University for a while now.   

Garrett Ozark

College of Business alumnus who appeared on ‘Shark Tank’ shares secrets of success

A Western Carolina University College of Business graduate and former Catamount baseball player who hit it out of the ballpark with an appearance on “Shark Tank” shared some personal lessons from his life as an entrepreneur during a recent-on campus presentation.  

Western Carolina University alumnus Garrett Ozar and business partner Adelle Archer make their pitch on “Shark Tank.”

WCU alumnus, ‘Shark Tank’ star Garrett Ozar to speak at Global Entrepreneurship Week

Western Carolina University’s College of Business will welcome alumnus and former Catamount baseball player Garrett Ozar as a keynote speaker during Global Entrepreneurship Week.  

Jamie Wallen (left) works with a chemistry student

Two faculty members receive competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health

Two Western Carolina University faculty members have received coveted R15 grants from the National Institutes of Health, which will significantly enhance research initiatives in the region.  

Financial wellness flyer

WCU College of Business, Financial Aid Office launch student financial wellness program

A faculty member from the Western Carolina University College of Business has teamed up with staff in the WCU Office of Financial Aid to develop a pilot program to help young adults improve their financial literacy skills.  

Office of Web Services