Music professor named one of UNC system's top teachers (2008)
Will Peebles, professor of music, has been named one of the best teachers in the University of North Carolina system, earning praise for helping students discover how to teach themselves.
WCU-based employee to lead statewide disaster recovery program (2008)
The North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center has tapped Western Carolina University-based disaster recovery counselor Adrianne Gordon to manage the state’s two disaster recovery loan programs.
New Mexico film festival selects professor to be judge, presenter (2008)
Jack Sholder, professor and director of the motion picture and television production program, will be a judge and presenter at Eastern New Mexico University’s High Plains Film Festival.
Professor wins prize at scholars conference (2008)
Robert F. Mulligan, associate professor of economics, received the Ludwig von Mises Institute’s O.P. Alford III Prize in Libertarian Scholarship.
International beach preservation trust names Rob Young to advisory board (2008)
Rob Young, director of WCU's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, was appointed to the advisory board of the Santa Aguila Charitable Trust, an international organization devoted to the protection and preservation of beaches around the world.
Professor named PEN/Faulkner finalist for short story collection "Chemistry" (2008)
Ron Rash, the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture, has been named one of four finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the largest peer-juried prize for fiction in the United States, for his compilation of short stories, “Chemistry and Other Stories.”
Communication and media relations staff earn regional awards (2008)
Four communication and media relations efforts at WCU won awards at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's District III conference in Atlanta.
Professor selected to judge international film festival (2008)
The Fantasporto Oporto International Film Festival will feature Jack Sholder, director of the program in motion picture and television production, as a member of the jury for the film competition.
Short story collection by WCU's Ron Rash named "notable" book (2008)
“Chemistry and Other Stories,” a compilation of 15 short stories by Ron Rash, the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture at WCU, has been named one of 15 “notable books” of 2007 by The Story Prize committee.
Director of athletic bands wins education award (2008)
Bob Buckner, director of athletic bands at WCU, won the 2007 Music Education Advocate Award from the North Carolina Music Educators Association.
University police chief earns doctorate (2008)
Thomas C. Johnson, chief of WCU’s police department, joined a small group of police executives who hold doctoral degrees when he was awarded a doctorate in instructional systems and work force development from Mississippi State University.
Student center director wins regional award (2008)
James Contratto, assistant director for programs at A.K. Hinds University Center, has won a regional New Professional Award for 2007 from the Association of College Unions International.
Professor named Fulbright peer reviewer (2007)
Anna Fariello, curator of the craft revival digital collection and visiting associate professor at WCU, recently was named museology specialist peer reviewer for the United States Fulbright Commission.
English professor’s book wins state poetry award (2007)
The North Carolina Literary and Historical Association awarded the 2007 Roanoke-Chowan Prize for Poetry to Catherine Carter, director of WCU’s English education program, for “The Memory of Gills,” her first published book of poetry.
Professor selected to Olympic Park Institute board, N.C. coastal panel (2007)
Rob Young, professor of geosciences and director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, was invited to serve on the board of directors of the Olympic Park Institute in Washington and the Science Panel on Coastal Hazards, which advises the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission.
Theatre professor and student to present at national conference (2007)
The Southeast Section of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology selected a WCU faculty member and student to represent the region at the national conference in Houston.
Accounting professor wins state educator award (2007)
Sue Swanger, director of WCU’s master’s degree program in accountancy, recently won the Outstanding Educator Award from the N.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants.
Faculty member, student receive national awards for radio work (2007)
A faculty member and one of his students received national awards for radio production work at the Broadcast Education Association Convention Festival of Media Arts.
Math professor named one of UNC system’s top teachers (2007)
Julia Ann Barnes, associate professor of mathematics and computer science at WCU, has been named one of the best teachers in the University of North Carolina system, earning praise for using creative ways to help her students understand difficult mathematical concepts.
Professor elected president of N.C. Political Science Association (2007)
Claudia Bryant, assistant professor of political science at WCU, was recently elected president of the North Carolina Political Science Association.
Bob Buckner to direct first-ever, high-school All-American Marching Band (2007)
Bob Buckner, director of athletic bands, helped launch the first-ever, high-school All-American Marching Band and served as show coordinator and director of the ensemble.
Ron Rash novel named a top 10 read for young adults (2007)
The Young Adult Library Services Association honored “The World Made Straight,” a novel by Ron Rash, the Parris Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Culture at WCU, with one of the 2007 Alex Awards.
Trumpet professor to perform at St. Bart's Music Festival (2007)
P. Bradley Ulrich, professor of trumpet, has been invited to perform at the internationally famous St. Bart’s Music Festival.
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Last Modified: Monday, April 28, 2008