蘑菇短视频

Several soon-to-be-graduates of 蘑菇短视频 were thanked by campus leaders for financial contributions they have made to the institution where they are currently wrapping up requirements for their college degrees.

The annual spring Senior Toast held Wednesday, April 22, recognizes members of the senior class who made philanthropic gifts to the university before they walk across the commencement stage and accept their diplomas later this spring.

鈥淭his event is a living, breathing testament to the impact of students buying in and believing in the power of philanthropy. While the stereotypical college student spends any extra dollars they may have on pizza delivery or a night out on the town, these young members of the 1889 Club have chosen to give back to this special place,鈥� said Stacey Miller, 蘑菇短视频senior director of annual giving and engagement.

鈥淭he late Chancellor David Belcher was fond of saying, 鈥榃e are in the business of changing lives,鈥� and I think that鈥檚 more true than ever right now,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淭hrough their generosity, these seniors are demonstrating their understanding of the importance of higher education and their willingness to support future students who will follow in their footsteps,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淭his is fitting, because many of them have received financial support to help them in their educational journeys.鈥�

Nearly 200 students from all class ranks, including 106 seniors, are among the members of WCU鈥檚 1889 Club, a giving society acknowledging donors from across the generations for their contributions to the institution.

Club membership consists of those who make annual gifts to the Fund for 蘑菇短视频in amounts ranging from $18.89 for current students and graduates from the past five years and $188.90 for alumni who graduated between 2016 and 2020 to $1,889 for alumni who graduated more than 10 years ago. It is named in recognition of the year of WCU鈥檚 founding.      

Grady Jones, president of the Student Government Association, delivered the keynote remarks during the event, held at the Chancellor鈥檚 Residence on the 蘑菇短视频campus.

鈥淲e arrived in Cullowhee carrying minifridges, big dreams and absolutely no understanding of how far uphill every single building on campus actually is. Nobody warned us that attending Western doubles as a cardio program. Forget freshman 15 鈥� we earned freshman calves,鈥� said Jones, a senior from Summerfield majoring in business administration and law.

鈥淲e started as strangers trying to find our classrooms using campus maps we definitely pretended to understand. Somewhere between late-night Cookout runs, studying at Hunter Library 鈥榡ust for an hour鈥� that turned into five and convincing ourselves that one more drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway counted as self-care, we became something more 鈥� classmates turned teammates, roommates turned family and individuals turned a community,鈥� he said.

The class of 2026 鈥� like all other graduating classes before it 鈥� has overcome challenges, navigated unexpected changes and defeated uncertainty to reach the goal of becoming graduates, problem-solvers and leaders, Jones said.

鈥淚鈥檝e come to realize during our time that none of this happens by accident,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he support and opportunities that made it possible for many of us to be here, the programs that gave us the chance to lead, the organizations that built community across this campus and throughout Western North Carolina 鈥� all of it exists because someone, at some point, chose to give back.鈥�

That鈥檚 why it is important to give back to 蘑菇短视频as students and young alumni, Jones said, addressing his classmates.

鈥淎s alumni, we have the opportunity to stay engaged 鈥� to come back, to mentor, to support and to invest in the students who will sit where we once did,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd for those of you here tonight who have already invested in this community, thank you 鈥� your impact is already being felt in the lives of students every day. Because just like someone once invested in us, we now have the chance to do the same for others.鈥�

蘑菇短视频Chancellor Kelli R. Brown expressed her appreciation to the young philanthropists and encouraged them to remain engaged in the life of their alma mater after they leave campus as graduates in a matter of weeks.

鈥淟et me start by saying that your philanthropic gifts to 蘑菇短视频are truly inspiring. By choosing to give back to your alma mater before you even graduate, you are setting an example for future generations of Catamounts to follow. You are showing that you care deeply about your university and its mission, and that you want to make a difference in the lives of future students, much like someone made a difference in yours,鈥� Brown said.

鈥淏ut your impact doesn鈥檛 stop there. The goodwill your gifts generate is just as important as the contributions themselves,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you give to WCU, you are showing your support for the entire Catamount community. You are helping build a stronger, more vibrant campus where students can thrive and succeed.鈥�

Brown then led a toast to the graduating class: 鈥淗ere鈥檚 to the past, to your years as students at 蘑菇短视频. Here鈥檚 to the present, to the joy we share in your accomplishment. And here鈥檚 to your future. Best wishes for lifelong success and happiness,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ongratulations, Class of 2026.鈥�

As has become tradition at Senior Toasts, James Hogan, a 2003 蘑菇短视频graduate and assistant vice chancellor for engagement, closed the evening by leading the singing of the 鈥淲estern Carolina University Alma Mater.鈥�

The students鈥� financial contributions come as part of WCU鈥檚 鈥淔ill the Western Sky鈥� comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million for the university鈥檚 academic, student engagement and athletics programs.

For more information or to make a contribution to the campaign, visit , call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.