Western Carolina University was founded in 1889 to bring higher education and career opportunities to the western region of North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina system, WCU now provides an education to more than 10,000 students from many states and countries. The university is located in the small town of Cullowhee (in Jackson County near Sylva and Franklin), about 52 miles west of Asheville.
The university’s mission is focused on quality education and preparation for responsible citizenship in a changing world. Since its founding, WCU has grown in size to become a major cultural, scientific, and educational force in the region and the state—and still growing.
Community Events
The $30 million Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University is an exciting cultural arts and art education destination for Western North Carolina and the surrounding region. Set in a beautiful valley between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, the center combines state-of-the-art educational opportunities for students and instructors with a fresh and inspiring venue for world-class performers and artists. Join us for a full season of events.
The Fine Art Museum includes nearly 10,000 feet of exhibit space featuring a growing permanent collection, an exciting schedule of contemporary art and fine crafts, and related interdisciplinary education programs.
The Mountain Heritage Day, held in late September, is an old-fashioned mountain fair showcasing Southern Appalachian folk arts at Western Carolina University. Read more!
More About WCU
Their academic programs span more than 120 specialties—including the nation’s highest-ranked entrepreneurship and project management programs, a national award-winning teacher education program, a criminal justice program used as a model for North Carolina’s accreditation program, and the nation’s first accredited four-year emergency medical care program.
Their distinguished faculty includes national award-winning authors, nationally and internationally recognized experts, and winners of Emmy, O. Henry, and National Endowment for the Arts awards—to name a few.
Also, the university holds 21 special program accreditations and is a member of more than 30 state and national associations and organizations to which its professional programs are related.
The Western Carolina Unversity Catamount Football games are tons of fun. What could be better than tailgating and football on a crisp autumn day.
For more, go to www.wcu.edu.
Area Info
Jackson County Top 30
So many things to do—art, train excursions, heritage sites, and more! Includes the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville, and Sapphire.
So many things to do—art, train excursions, heritage sites, and more! Includes the towns of Cashiers, Cherokee, Dillsboro, Sylva, Balsam, Cullowhee, Glenville, and Sapphire.
