Campus Theme
Campus Theme 2026: USA 250th Anniversary
Since 2010, 蘑菇短视频has selected an interdisciplinary theme for campus conversations, curricular and co-curricular connections, and enrichment. The primary focus is to educate and to offer a holistic look at something through multiple lenses. The Campus Theme for the 2026 academic year is the USA 250th Anniversary.
Vision Statement:
The 蘑菇短视频 USA 250th Anniversary Committee is dedicated to commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States by renewing a shared sense of patriotism, honoring the diversity that strengthens our nation, and deepening the spirit of service to our community, state, and country. Grounded in WCU鈥檚 mission of academic excellence, access, and robust engagement with the communities of Western North Carolina鈥攊ncluding the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians鈥攚e seek to support commemorative experiences that inspire reflection, learning, and active citizenship.
Campus Theme Information
2026 Members
Peter Koch - Interim Director, Mountain Heritage Center, Committee Chair
Nora Doyle - History, Faculty
Jenna Kubiak, Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning
Brian Darden - Business, Faculty
Krista Schmidt - Library, Faculty
Bob Perkins - School of Teaching and Learning, Faculty
Julia Duvall - Communications and Marketing
Emily Wager - Political Science, Faculty
Tasha Youstin - Criminal Justice/Criminology, Faculty
Alei Coleman - Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost, Committee Support
If you have an idea, but you are not requesting funding, please use this link:
Campus Theme Funding Application
Requests for support will be accepted on a rolling basis with the committee meeting
multiple times throughout the semester to vote on submitted requests. Requests can
be submitted through the end of January 2026 while funding is available.
Eligibility for Marketing & Funding Supported Events
Any 蘑菇短视频constituent, including faculty, staff, students, departments, offices, programs, and student organizations is eligible to submit requests for marketing and financial support for events.
Evaluation Criteria
Goals: The extent to which the proposed activity and its associated goals are consistent with the overall mission of the Campus Theme, Community and Belongingness.
Novelty: The extent to which the activity or event will provide students with an experience not obtainable through current classes or campus programs.
Student Engagement: The extent, and manner in which, the event or activity will actively engage students in the campus theme.
Student Learning: The extent to which students will learn more about Community and Belongingness through this event or activity, and whether some method is included to assess this learning.
Budget: The size of the event budget and the extent to which the budget appears to be sufficient to support a successful event, and the presence of alternative funding sources to close any budget gap.
Impact vs. Cost: The number of students that will be directly involved with, or impacted by, this event or activity as compared to the cost or expense of the event.
Likelihood of Success: The apparent ease, or difficulty, of achieving the event or activity鈥檚 stated goals.
Join us for events throughout the academic year that explore the Campus Theme.
The committee is planning, reviewing, and approving events on a rolling basis and will add events here as neccessary. The majority of events will be listed in , WCU's main hub for organizations on campus and event listings!
In an effort to promote the USA 250th Anniversary, the Campus Theme Committee will compile and share resources here. If you have any resources related to the USA 250th Anniversary that you believe should be displayed here, please contact Alei Coleman at colemana@wcu.edu.