Bill and Julie Ogletree Endowed Scholarship

An endowed scholarship fund for students studying Communication Sciences and Disorders

Dr. Billy T. and Julia Ogletree are long-time residents of Sylva, North Carolina.  They moved to the area when Dr. Ogletree accepted a faculty position at Western Carolina University in Fall, 1992.  He served Western in a variety of capacities including Program Director and Department Head of Communication Sciences and Disorders.  Dr. Ogletree enjoyed a productive career as a scholar, procuring over 3.5 million dollars in extramural support for student training, publishing over 90 articles and other products, and initiating the Cullowhee Conference on Communicative Disorders, the largest annual continuing education effort for speech language pathologists west of Greensboro.  

During his career, Dr. Ogletree received Western’s Distinguished Service and University Scholar awards.  He was also selected as an outstanding alumnus for both the University of Memphis and Florida State University.  Dr. Ogletree served several national roles including chairing the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities.  He is also a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Finally, in 2020 Dr. Ogletree was recognized with the University of North Carolina System’s highest award for service, the James M. Holshouser award.  

Julia “Julie” Ogletree served as a long-time Speech Language Pathologist in various positions throughout Western North Carolina.  Her longest tenure was with the Cherokee Central Schools where she primarily served middle school children.  Both Dr. Ogletree and Julie Ogletree had a passion for individuals with intellectual disabilities and worked tirelessly on their behalf.   The Ogletrees have two adult children (Sarah and Ben) and one granddaughter (Margot). 

For those who would prefer to mail a check:

Payable to: WCU Foundation
Memo: Bill and Julie Ogletree Endowed Scholarship

Mail to:

WCU Foundation
1 University Dr.
HF Robinson Bldg. Ste 201
Cullowhee, NC 28723

Please note that contributions to the WCU Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Please consult your tax advisor. You will receive a receipt via email in acknowledgement of your gift.