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Western Fall 2015 CAROLINA THE MAGAZINE OF WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY RISING TIDE: A substantial surge in external funding is ‘granting hope’ to WCU research, programs CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM URBAN DEATH PROJECT CHANGING FACE OF CAMPUS TEACHES HEALTHIER EATING BEING TESTED AT WCU Western CAROLINA FALL 2015 | VOLUME 19, NO. 2 The Magazine of Western Carolina University is produced by the Office of Communications and Public Relations for alumni, faculty, staff, friends and students of Western Carolina University. The views and opinions that appear in this publication are not necessarily those of the editorial staff or the official policies of the university. CHANCELLOR David O. Belcher CHIEF OF STAFF Melissa Canady Wargo MANAGING EDITOR Bill Studenc MPA ’10 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Randall Holcombe CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Mark Haskett ’87 STAFF DESIGNER Will Huddleston STAFF WRITERS Keith Brenton Daniel Hooker ’01 Christy Martin ’71 MA ’78 Marlon W. Morgan Teresa Killian Tate BUILDING RAPPORT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER As one of several campus construction projects, the former Brown Cafeteria Ashley T. Evans will undergo a major facelift and expansion to include the addition of 25,000 VIDEO EDITOR Joseph Hader ’12 square feet of space with a new façade facing the center of campus. See story MARKETING DIRECTOR on Page 26. Robin Oliver PRODUCTION MANAGER Ashley Beavers CIRCULATION MANAGER Cindi Magill BUSINESS MANAGER Linda Mallonee Search for this icon throughout the magazine for stories that feature online extras – videos, photographs and more, available ONLY online. magazine.wcu.edu 2 | The Magazine of Western Carolina University Courtesy of Watson Tate Savory CONTENTS 14 28 34 20 FEATURES SECTIONS INDIE MOVIE 4 Worth Repeating Students throw their filming skills into 20 high gear on an alum’s movie project 5 Opening Notes GROWING MINDS 6 News from the Program supports local farmers while Western Hemisphere 22 teaching about healthy cooking, eating 14 Catamount Athletics GRANTING HOPE 38 Alumni Spotlight 60 percent surge in external funding 28 enhances education, research, programs 40 Class Notes GIVING BACK TO THE EARTH 52 Events Calendar WCU researchers are helping test 34 theories of the Urban Death Project 54 The View from Here FRONT COVER A rapidly eroding beach at Hunting Island, South Carolina, leaves a cottage standing in the ocean. WCU’s Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, which is investigating the impact of rising sea levels on coastal communities, is among the many WCU initiatives benefitting from an increase in external grant funding. BACK COVER Singer-songwriter Jeanne Jolly ’01 gives a special performance at WCU for the Friends of the Arts annual benefit fundraiser. Jolly broke onto the American music scene as featured vocalist for Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. Her recent full-length album, “Angels,” debuted in the top 15 on the ITunes singer-songwriter chart. Fall 2015 | 3 WORTH REPEATING COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS ON THE PREVIOUS EDITION LONNIE HARRIS ’64 Great edition. I always look RUPSI BURMAN MBA ’02 forward to this excellent publication and kudos to the I received a copy of your most recent magazine in the mail and entire staff for the job they do. was touched by the “Community of Caring” story. Way to go WCU! So proud to be a graduate of While I was pursuing my MBA at the Forsyth business school WCU. (2000-2002), I had the opportunity to visit local schools to introduce local communities and school children to different cultures. I JOE POOLE ’60 had fun being an international grad student and participating in those activities. I take pride in the fact that I am a WCU alumnus, Nobody does it better. You all especially when the band shows up on my TV screen on Macy’s are the best. Thanksgiving Day Parade! Keep up the good work. GORDIE HOWELL ’57 JILL FISHER DEMARCO MS ’90 MAT ’06 Thank you and all your contributors to this Enjoyed this edition! It does a good job of most recent issue of the winter magazine. It is showing a well-rounded university and includes one of the most interesting and relevant I can inclusion and social activism. Real hands-on, not remember. Kudos to all. just talk! RON WIMBERLY ’69 K.C. CULLER ’00 Got the hard copy – very good, Just finished reading through the latest edition of the Western keep up the good work! Carolina magazine. Bill Studenc MPA ’10 and staff do a great job with it! KATHY DUDEK ’91 MS ’92 FRANK W. CALDWELL JR. ’67 I really enjoyed the article about the band going The 2015 winter issue of the Western Carolina to NYC. That was so exciting! The article about Magazine brought back fond memories of my the outdoor programs was interesting, as well. two years at Western Carolina. Shortly after I used to walk the trail that looped down near the entering Western Carolina, I met a group of six track, freshman parking and picnic tables, and guys who were into hiking. One of the guys had was sad to see part of the trail go when the new a 1953 Chevrolet station wagon, and all seven of dorms were built. The new greenway and multi- us would frequently pile into his station wagon use trail look like a nice addition to promote on weekends and go on hiking trips. My senior getting out. Thanks for such a great publication! year, I did not hike as much since I shared my time with my girlfriend, now my wife of 46 years, and my hiking buddies. Every time my wife and I go on a road trip, we throw our hiking boots into our van. Our trekking poles reside permanently Have a comment about this issue that you think is under the back seat of our van. I am very “worth repeating?” Let us hear from you! appreciative of my two years at Western Carolina Email us at [email protected] or send us a where I developed a love of hiking, and I am letter to 420 H.F. Robinson, Cullowhee, N.C., 28723. very pleased that Western Carolina is actively We’ll select a few to share with your fellow readers. promoting outdoor recreation. 4 | The Magazine of Western Carolina University OPENING Notes Western Carolina is a university firmly grounded in two As part of our emphasis on being a good regional partner, inherent principles that have guided this institution since its we convened the WNC P-16 Education Consortium, bringing founding – providing access to higher education and meeting together a group of leaders to address education needs the needs of Western North Carolina. In recent months, we toward the goal of improving the knowledge and skills of the have emphasized the need to ensure our commitment to WNC workforce. Last November, we hosted the inaugural access by identifying fundraising for endowed scholarships for LEAD:WNC summit, attended by nearly 300 business leaders, deserving students as our No. 1 philanthropic priority. And elected and appointed officials, educators, economists and rest assured…we will be continuing that conversation in the entrepreneurs. The message of the day was that the key to months and years ahead. economic and community development in WNC is for the But it is important that we not overlook that other founding public, private and nonprofit sectors to reach beyond town ideal of serving the people of Western North Carolina, a limits and county lines to embrace a more regional approach, common theme in many stories in this magazine edition. steeped in a spirit of cooperation and partnership. During my installation, I affirmed WCU’s commitment to It is in that spirit that WCU is hosting an ongoing series of meeting the needs of this wonderful region, and I am pleased to spin-off LEAD summits. This spring, two events focused on report that commitment is stronger than ever. Your university the subjects of hospitality and tourism, and entrepreneurship is an engaged, active partner in the communities of WNC. and innovation. The university is in the planning stages for The examples are legion. The majority of research conducted conferences this fall on topics expected to include quality of by WCU faculty and students, including work funded by life and, once again, education, innovation and tourism. outside agencies, is focused on regional issues – from efforts to In addition to hosting regional partners on campus, we also revitalize the native Cherokee language to helping underserved have committed to taking our leaders into the very communities populations enter the health care professions, and from we serve. This year marked the second time that members of the assisting WNC businesses to protecting water quality and WCU Leadership Academy and other campus leaders spent a forest resources. week in May crisscrossing the mountains as part of a regional Our institutional focus on our region is evident in the work bus tour, with stops from Robbinsville to Asheville, to learn done by students involved in service-learning initiatives. Over more about the region and to help strengthen relationships the years, students have played an integral role in helping the between WCU and its surrounding communities. This annual town of Dillsboro deal with the economic blow caused by the trip helps ensure that WCU stays grounded in the region loss of a major tourism attraction. They have reached out to we are designed to serve and that we fulfill our mission as a less-fortunate neighbors through a variety of poverty-relief public institution. projects and have provided service to wounded warriors at Earlier this year, the Carnegie Foundation for the the Veterans Administration hospital in Asheville. Last year, Advancement of Teaching honored WCU’s emphasis on they teamed with television personality Ty Pennington to community engagement and its link to engaged teaching, transform a shuttered prison in Waynesville into a homeless research and service by selecting the university to receive its shelter, halfway house and soup kitchen.