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ĢƵStories

Students raise a glass to the class of 2025

Student philanthropists feted at fall semester Senior Toast

ĢƵ leaders raised a celebratory toast to members of the December 2025 graduating class who have already made financial contributions to their soon-to-be alma mater as student philanthropists.  

Simon Gugerli

Swiss-born alumnus Simon Gugerli returns home as analyst with UBS bank

Like the mountains in Cullowhee often do, Switzerland was calling Simon Gugerli home.   

ĢƵEMS

ĢƵEMS looks back on 60 years of serving campus community

Every year for career day, Rhonda Summers’ high school had students write three jobs they wanted to hear about as a career. Summers only needed to write down one: pre-hospital medicine.  

Catamount 10

Alumni spanning 50 years honored at Homecoming for achievements, service

A baker’s dozen ĢƵ alumni whose graduating class years span nearly 50 years received accolades from their alma mater Saturday, Nov. 8, in recognition of their career accomplishments and contributions to their communities.  

Elizabeth with other UP members

Daughter’s experience in ĢƵinclusive ed program leads parents to create endowment

A ĢƵ initiative that brings individuals with intellectual disabilities to campus for a living and learning experience has had such a positive impact on the life of one participant that her parents have created a fund to help more young adults like their daughter move toward independent living.  

Austin Blevins

Young alumni spotlight: Blevins helps the Hornets buzz as account executive

The energy inside the then-Time Warner Cable arena in Charlotte was electric. The Hornets moniker had returned to the Queen City. The arena was graced with the teal and purple that Charlotteans had adored for years before the original Hornets relocated to New Orleans and the Bobcats moved in.   

Susan and Rich Price

$1.25 M gift to athletics pushes ‘Fill the Western Sky’ campaign past its $100 M goal

A planned gift from a longtime Western North Carolina economic development and marketing professional and his spouse has pushed ĢƵ’s “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign past its minimum goal of $100 million in philanthropic support.  

Paws rides on a float during the 2024 homecoming parade

Homecoming weekend at ĢƵset for Nov. 7-8 with parade, parties, alumni awards

A packed slate of weekend events is on tap as ĢƵ rolls out the welcome mat for alumni and friends to return to campus Nov. 7-8 for Homecoming 2025, including a parade and party in the university’s adopted hometown of Sylva.  

Cherokee Center in the 1970s

Living history: ĢƵresearchers work to capture Cherokee oral histories

The history of ĢƵ is held by its people. Though archives and images can provide a framework for the past, there is no richer or truer contribution to the story than the lived experiences of alumni, staff, faculty and students.