蘑菇短视频

蘑菇短视频 alumni and friends from across North Carolina and the Atlanta area gave a warm Catamount welcome to approximately 100 incoming first-year students during several receptions in July, offering insights into campus life and helping ease apprehensions about going away to college.

Hosted by 蘑菇短视频alumni or university leadership volunteers at their homes, places of business or local venues, the annual new student send-off series is designed to celebrate members of WCU鈥檚 newest freshman class and their families, introduce them to members of the campus community and begin building school spirit.

Alumni attending the receptions shared thoughts on what it means to be a Catamount and memories of their time at their alma mater. The new students learned how to sing the 鈥溎⒐蕉淌悠礎lma Mater鈥� and 鈥淐atamount Fight Song鈥� and played a game of WCU-themed bingo designed to help them meet future classmates.

Chancellor Kelli R. Brown participated in all five stops on the tour, telling incoming students what to expect on their first few days in Cullowhee. Student Government Association representatives were on hand to discuss leadership opportunities and encourage involvement in campus organizations.

蘑菇短视频 Chancellor Kelli R. Brown snaps a photograph with incoming first-year students at a reception in Charlotte.

More than 300 guests 鈥� including alumni and family members of new students 鈥� attended the five events, organized by WCU鈥檚 Office of Engagement. The 2026 New Student Send-off schedule:

Triad Area 鈥� Sunday, July 19, at Truist Stadium, Winston-Salem; hosted by alumnus Joe Crocker, a member of the 蘑菇短视频Board of Trustees, and spouse Carol Crocker, a WCU alumna.

Asheville Area 鈥� Monday, July 20, at First Citizens Bank, Arden; hosted by former 蘑菇短视频Board of Trustees chair Bob Roberts and wife Carol.

Charlotte Area 鈥� Tuesday, July 21, at the Union at Station West, Charlotte; hosted by the 蘑菇短视频Office of Engagement.

Triangle Area 鈥� Wednesday, July 22, at the Cary home of Frank Brown III, whose father served as chief executive officer of the university and whose grandfather is the namesake for WCU鈥檚 Brown Hall, and spouse Becky Brown, an alumna who chairs the 蘑菇短视频Board of Trustees.

Atlanta Area 鈥� Sunday, July 26, at Proof of the Pudding, Atlanta; hosted by alumni Bob and Suzanne Thomas.

Three of the five stops on the tour enjoyed record attendance, with 67 total attendees at the Triangle event, 52 in Asheville and 51 in Atlanta.

Representatives of First Citizens Bank, host of the Asheville area reception, say that participating in the annual event is part of the company鈥檚 commitment to serving the region.

鈥淔irst Citizens Bank sponsors this event because of its strong commitment to Western Carolina University, its students and the future workforce of Western North Carolina,鈥� said Ronnie Reid, a 1987 graduate of 蘑菇短视频with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance who serves as First Citizens Bank senior vice president in Skyland.

鈥淭hrough the event, the bank helps incoming freshmen build relationships, connect with alumni and gain insight into the opportunities awaiting them at WCU, while supporting a university that plays a vital role in the region鈥檚 economic and community development,鈥� Reid said.

鈥淚 like sharing with students that my family has three generations of Catamounts.  Mom, me and my son all are alumni,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s soon as you are a student, you are an alumnus. It always feels like you have come to your second home when you drive through Catamount Gap.鈥�

Retired North Carolina director of budget and management Becky Brown, a 1971 graduate of 蘑菇短视频with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration, and husband Frank have hosted new student send-offs at their home in Cary for more than a decade.

鈥淎s an alumna, this is a way that I can give back to 蘑菇短视频in the area where I live,鈥� said Becky Brown. 鈥淚 have met so many students, parents and alumni who attend that I would never know otherwise. And, in some ways it helps the student prepare for the coming school year at WCU. It鈥檚 amazing how many come to the events a bit nervous and leave knowing someone who may be in their dorm or their major.鈥� 

The gatherings play a role in helping the new students make a successful transition to college life and assisting parents in dealing with the adjustment of their child leaving the nest, she said.

鈥淎t the send-offs, different students and parents from the area meet each other for the first time, and we see them exchange contact information for any questions later. And they meet 蘑菇短视频staff and can reach out to them later, too. When they leave, they appear more at ease and ready for the coming school year ahead,鈥� she said.

New incoming students meet future classmates through a game of 蘑菇短视频 bingo at a welcome event in Winston-Salem.

鈥淥ver the years, we have run into parents and students we met at the send-offs at other university events. When they recognize us, many thank us for hosting the send-off and say how much it helped them prepare for the school year ahead,鈥� Brown said. 鈥淭he 蘑菇短视频staff does a fantastic job providing information that the students 鈥� and parents 鈥� need for a smooth transition to college life.鈥�

For Huntersville resident Ed Holland, a 1975 graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance, the events provide new students with a headstart on understanding the campus and university procedures 鈥� something he said he wishes he had experienced before leaving home for college.

鈥淎dvice given by administrators and alumni is very helpful in the students鈥� transition from high school to college. Being able to meet other incoming freshmen is a plus, as well. Meeting someone from their hometown gives an immediate connection once they are on campus, thus the beginning of their Catamount network,鈥� said Holland, a former banking executive and retired church administrator.

鈥淐hancellor Brown was present for the Charlotte region event,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 shared with the group I was seated with how special meeting the chancellor this early in their college career will be going forward. Experiencing how personable and approachable she is gives the students and their parents a feeling of comfort. They know that WCU cares about their success.鈥�

Former SGA President Dawson Spencer, who earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and criminal justice in 2021 and  master鈥檚 degree in public affairs in 2023, attended the Raleigh event as a new member of the 蘑菇短视频Alumni Association Board of Directors.

鈥淚 think new student send-off events are a vital way for Catamounts to experience the culture of Western Carolina 鈥� in their local community before they even head to Cullowhee for the first time,鈥� said Spencer, a resident of Raleigh and long-term recovery branch manager for the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. 鈥淚t is also a great opportunity for their families and friends to experience that welcoming and supportive culture, knowing that their loved ones are in good hands.鈥�

Although he did not attend a student send-off before beginning his freshman year at WCU, Spencer said he believes the events are a great way to help prepare young people for a new chapter in their lives.

鈥淪tarting college, no matter what stage of life you are in, can be a little scary, and this event allows you to make connections and build relationships before you even arrive on campus. I was lucky enough to do something similar with Cat Camp and the Freshman Leadership Initiative cohort,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 know without a doubt in my mind that my career and college experience would鈥檝e been different without it.鈥�

The 2026 fall semester at 蘑菇短视频is fast approaching, with residence halls opening to students Friday, Aug. 7, and the first day of classes set for Monday, Aug. 17.