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 WCU Stories      April 25, 2025

By Bill Studenc

The �����Ƶapp Alumni Association has issued a call for nominations for honors presented annually to university alumni in recognition of their accomplishments after graduating – the Professional Achievement Award, Academic Achievement Award and a new award for graduates of the last decade.

Award recipients will be formally recognized at ceremonies in the fall.

The deadline for nominations to be considered for awards in fall 2025 is Friday, May 30. Nominations remain active for five years from the date submitted. Alumni cannot be recognized for the same award more than once.

The alumni engagement committee of the WCU Alumni Association Board of Directors will review all nominations and recommend recipients. That process will take place in June and July.

The criteria for each award:

Professional Achievement Award – This award may be presented annually to no more than one alumnus or alumna who has attained extraordinary distinction and success in a career field outside of academia and who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained community leadership. The award recipient should have achieved state, regional or national recognition.

Academic Achievement Award – This honor is bestowed annually upon a WCU alumnus or alumna who has attained extraordinary distinction and success in academe and has demonstrated exceptional leadership. The award recipient should have achieved state, regional or national recognition.

The Catamount 10 – This new award, which replaces the previous Young Alumnus/Alumna Award, recognizes 10 distinguished alumni who graduated within the last decade and who continue to elevate their professions, uplift their communities and demonstrate an enduring pride in and connection to their alma mater. These honorees should exemplify the dynamic and determined spirit of WCU and carry forward its legacy of service, innovation and impact. Nominees will be evaluated on their professional achievement, community engagement and embodiment of the university’s values. This year’s inaugural recipients must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from WCU between 2015 and 2025.

For all three alumni award categories, preference will be given to those who, while enrolled at WCU and as a graduate, have been active participants in the life of the university.

“We encourage members of the university family to nominate deserving alumni for these prestigious awards,” said Stacey Miller, WCU director of alumni engagement. “We know that Catamounts of all ages are out there across the state, the nation and the globe doing important things. This awards program is a great way to not only shine a spotlight on these graduates of our university but also to celebrate all alumni from the dearest spot of all.”

To make a nomination for WCU’s alumni awards, visit the website /engage/alumni/get-involved/alumni-awards.aspx. For more information or answers to questions, email alumni@wcu.edu or call 828-227-7335.