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WCU kicks off celebration of 125 years

art wcuA yearlong celebration of Western Carolina University’s 125th anniversary kicked off Thursday, Jan. 23, in Cullowhee.

 

The campus and surrounding community paused to reflect on the institution’s growth from a one-room schoolhouse with 18 students to a comprehensive regional university with an enrollment of more than 10,100.

WCU Chancellor David O. Belcher began the celebration with a touch of formality, reminding the crowd of the many changes that have occurred at the institution over the years – including names ranging from the Cullowhee Academy through Western Carolina Teachers College to its current moniker as part of the University of North Carolina system.

“The year 2014 will be a year of events, exhibits, reflections and anticipation of the next 125 years of educating eager minds in the heart of a mountain paradise – a region rich in culture, art, music and innovation,” Belcher said. “It’s going to be a great year. It will be a year for the history books, and certainly one in which you will want to be involved.”

For a complete list of events, click on www.celebrate125.wcu.edu.