This week, we highlight Danita Johnson, a trailblazing alumna of Western Carolina University and the current President of Business Operations for D.C. United. From her roots in Fayetteville, NC, to becoming the first Black woman to hold this executive role in Major League Soccer, Danita shares her inspiring journey through the world of professional sports and leadership.

Join us this week as we spotlight Kinley Cook, a proud Western Carolina University graduate with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. Now serving as a dedicated park ranger with the National Park Service, Kinley shares her journey from the mountains of WCU to protecting some of America’s most treasured natural landscapes. Discover how her passion for the outdoors turned into a fulfilling career in conservation and public service.

Join us for an exciting episode of Western Wednesdays as we chat with Josh Jones, the Vice President of Sports Marketing and Management at Kevin Harvick Incorporated. A Western Carolina University alumnus, Josh played football and majored in sports management. Hear about his remarkable journey from college athlete to managing top-tier athletes in NASCAR, the PGA Tour, and UFC.

Join us for an inspiring episode of Western Wednesdays as we sit down with Matt Henley, the current Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. A proud alumnus, Matt is celebrating his 35th season with the renowned Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. Tune in to hear about his journey, the evolution of the band, and his vision for the future.

Join us on this special episode of Western Wednesdays as we sit down with Nora Lynn Finch, a proud WCU alumna and a pioneering figure in women's college sports. Discover her inspiring journey, the challenges she overcame, and her lasting impact on the world of athletics.

Join us on this episode of Western Wednesdays as we explore the inspiring journey of Western Carolina University alum Mike Crawford, who became the COO of Forvis, one of the top accounting firms in the US. Discover how he balanced his successful career with a fulfilling personal life and the pivotal moments at WCU that shaped his path.

Join us on Western Wednesdays as we chat with Garrett Ozar, co-founder of Eterneva and proud Western Carolina University alum. Discover how his innovative company, featured on Shark Tank, is transforming the way we remember our loved ones.

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we chat with Sharon Fenchak, the esteemed winemaker at Biltmore Estate and a proud graduate of Western Carolina University's MBA program. Sharon shares her journey from the classroom to crafting award-winning wines, offering insights into the art and science of winemaking.

PGA Tour golfer and Western Carolina University alumnus JT Poston joins us for Western Wednesdays, sharing his inspiring journey from Hickory, North Carolina to the pinnacle of professional golf. Discover the stories behind his passion for the sport, nurtured by his father and grandfather, leading to a standout collegiate career at WCU. Fresh off his thrilling third PGA Tour victory at the Shriners Children’s Open, JT talks about the unwavering support from the Catamount community and personal milestones, including welcoming his child, Scotty, into the world.

Get a front-row seat to JT's experiences on the professional golf circuit, where he plays alongside legendary figures like Tiger Woods. He recounts the awe of achieving his childhood dream and the importance of mentorship from seasoned golfers at Sea Island. JT reveals how the unexpected presence of Catamount fans across the country has created a unique sense of community, fueling his drive and focus in a challenging sport.

Peek behind the scenes of a week on the PGA Tour with insights from JT on his routine—highlighting the significance of consistency. Learn about his efforts to give back through the JT Poston Invitational, supporting WCU’s men’s golf team and promoting youth golf in Western North Carolina. Hear JT reflect on how personal relationships, from his grandfather's profound influence to his connection with the current WCU team, play a crucial role in a sport often perceived as solitary. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or simply appreciate a compelling success story, this conversation offers something for everyone.

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, join us as we talk with Jim Rowell and John Connet, two local leaders who played pivotal roles in their communities’ recovery after Hurricane Helene. Hear their inspiring stories of resilience, leadership, and the power of community in the face of disaster.

Join us on this episode of Western Wednesdays as we chat with Western Carolina University alumni Dale Collins, owner of Tuckaseegee Fly Shop, and Preston Jacobsen from Haywood Waterways. Discover their journeys and insights into the world of fly fishing and water conservation!

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we chat with alumnus and Olympic silver medalist Manteo Mitchell. Known for his incredible performance in track and field at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Manteo shares his journey and insights. Now embarking on a new adventure, he discusses his exciting transition into the sport of bobsledding.

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we shine a spotlight on Heather Smith and Abby Bentley, the remarkable educators honored as North Carolina's Teacher and Beginning Teacher of the Year. Both graduates of Western Carolina University, Abby and Heather now inspire and educate students in Haywood County. Join us as we explore their journeys, teaching philosophies, and the impact they've made in their community.

Join us on Western Wednesdays for an enlightening discussion with Randall Harris, drummer of NEEDTOBREATHE and proud graduate of Western Carolina University. Explore his musical journey and how his education has influenced his craft.

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, alumni and friends of Western Carolina University share their journey from students to healthcare professionals at the Cherokee Indian Hospital, dedicated to serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These incredible catamounts discuss the unique challenges and rewards of providing culturally sensitive care within their community, offering insights into the intersection of education, culture, and healthcare in the heart of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Join us for a special live episode of Western Wednesdays as we celebrate WCU's annual day of giving, One Day for Western. Tune in to hear our students share their stories of impact and learn how you can support our university's legacy with a single day of generosity.

Join us on this week's Western Wednesdays episode as we chat with Amanda Muse, a talented film composer based in Los Angeles, California, who graduated from Western Carolina University. Amanda shares insights into her journey from the mountains of western North Carolina to the heart of Hollywood, discussing her musical inspirations, creative process, and experiences scoring for the silver screen. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the intersection of WCU roots and cinematic flair in the world of film composition.

In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we sit down with Brenda Gorsuch, a seasoned educator who graduated from Western Carolina University. With a career devoted to shaping young minds, Brenda shares insights from her journey as a high school journalism and yearbook teacher, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs within the ever-evolving field of education.

When she was a high school student in rural eastern North Carolina, Debbie Wright’s algebra teacher happened to submit her name to a National Science Foundation math program. Soon, Debbie was one of ten students selected to participate in the program, which was held in Cullowhee.

 She was in the right place at the right time—and her experiences in that program influenced her so much that she looked beyond Cornell and Purdue to come back to WCU for her undergraduate degree. There, she found her way in the sciences and into Professor Paul Wright’s genetics lab, a vanguard program at the time.

 For Debbie, it was once again the chance to be in the right place at the right time. I hope you’ll give this interview a listen to learn about how Debbie strung together all of those serendipitous moments into a long, distinguished career that ultimately led her to become the chief legal counsel for patents at Kraft. Those accomplishments and more led WCU’s Alumni Association to bestow the Professional Achievement Award upon Debbie this past fall.

In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Victoria Ladd and Courtney Gunter, two outstanding Catamounts from Western Carolina University's women's golf team. Victoria shares her passion for the game and the dedication that helped propel the team to regional and national success, while Courtney unveils her strategic approach and the lessons learned from her journey as a coach and former collegiate golfer.

In this episode, we explore the life and work of David Joy, an alumnus of Western Carolina University and a critically acclaimed author. Joy's writing is rooted in the Appalachian region, and his novels and essays often explore themes of poverty, addiction, and the natural world. Join us as we dive into Joy's background, discuss his literary influences, and examine some of his most notable works. Through our conversation, we gain insight into Joy's unique perspective on life in the American South and the power of storytelling to capture the complexities of the human experience.

What do Maya Angelou, Dick Vitale, and Tammy Bakker all have in common? They've all been on the other side of the camera from Will and Deni McIntyre. We had the chance to sit down with these former catamounts to talk about a life, and career, in photography and video production.

As we enter into the heart of the college admission cycle, it’s worth asking: what is the value of a college degree? What drives the cost of higher education? What’s the best way to pay for it?
 
We’ve pulled together an expert panel to help answer these questions and more, including Phil Cauley ’83, WCU’s associate vice chancellor for undergraduate admissions, Dr. Sean Mulholland, professor of economics, and Donna Winbon ’80, a financial planner.

Western Carolina University was founded in the late 19th century as a teachers college and has graduated thousands of educators who have poured their hearts into classrooms in the region and across the state. But it is safe to say that today's public school classroom is unlike any other in American history. This month we're going to talk about what that classroom looks like. 

Joining us for our discussion is Dr. Kim Winter, Dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions, Dr. Marlow Artis, principal of Craven Early College High School, Dr. Dana Ayers, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools, Kayleigh McAlister Kassel, middle school teacher at the Catamount School, and Maggie King, assistant principal of Waynesville and Canton middle schools. 

Few things about WCU’s Pride of the Mountains marching band fly under the radar—a 500-member ensemble is hard to miss, after all. However, Western’s marching band has changed leadership and education in our region in a way that few other organizations at WCU or anywhere in the system can lay claim to. 

Join us this Western Wednesday as we learn about the band’s impact off of the field, including its plans to bring the Pride of the Mountains across the pond. We’ll hear from POTM director Jack Eaddy and staff, current students, and local band director and POTM alumnus Alex Larsen ’17.