College of Business

The results are in, Catamounts: we surpassed last year's totals! Your generosity will help make one day possible for so many students at Western. 

We are blown away by your response and generosity (again) this year during One Day for Western! And you helped us Fill the Western Sky by turning the map purple: we secured gifts from 49 of 50 states! 

Check out some highlights of our results below and visit oneday.wcu.edu for even more information about the impact of your giving. Go Cats!

Hey, Catamounts! You may have received an email from GiveCampus this morning that re-sent our "Wave the royal banner high" post featuring our Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and asking you to participate in One Day for Western. Our partners at GiveCampus let us know this was just a bug in the system that affected a few campaigns that have already ended, so no cause for alarm. We received your gift and appreciate your generosity! Our team is still working hard to share finalized totals in the coming days, so we'll provide a (real) update soon.

In the interim, we hope you're having a great week and send our gratitude to members of Catamount nation far and wide!

Gratefully,

Rebekah B. Cheney

Director of Annual Giving 

What a day (and then some), Catamounts! Thank you to every single person who helped make one day possible for our students. Whether you made a gift, shared our message, cheered us on, or did all three - your contributions matter and impacted our success this year.

We will be finalizing our totals in the coming days and are excited to report more on the impact of your generosity. Until then, please know that we are incredibly grateful for your support!

Go Cats! 

Warmly,

Rebekah B. Cheney 

Director of Annual Giving

You are still showing up, Catamounts! 

With just a few hours left, we are nearly 90% to our goal. We are so close, and your advocacy is making a huge difference.

We are also making great progress on turning the map purple to Fill the Western Sky! We still are looking for gifts from:

• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Minnesota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Vermont

Do you know someone in any of these states? Consider asking them to make a gift before 5 p.m. to help us Fill the Western Sky.

Your generosity and advocacy are helping make one day possible. We're almost to the finish line... GO CATS!

Yesterday's special live edition of Western Wednesday focused on One Day for Western! Here's a clip of three current students who talk about their hopes for the future.

If you didn't catch our special LIVE Western Wednesday podcast, you can rewatch the whole show here! James, Ben and Stacey chat with students, donors, and staff about programs and dreams that are worth investing in. 

Catamounts: there's still time to make one day possible. We're still reaching for the biggest giving day goal we've ever aimed for, and we know we can accomplish it with your help! Beyond making a gift, the best way you can help is to share our message with your networks and remind your fellow Catamounts to give and share, too! We'll keep counting until 5 p.m. Thursday, so keep advocating for our incredible programs and students. GO CATS!

Hear directly from students, faculty and staff about One Day for Western and why it matters during this special broadcast. Watch the live podcast here!

With about nine hours left, we are over 40% to our goal. Let's keep going, Catamount nation!

We still want to turn the map purple and Fill the Western Sky! If you know Catamounts in the following states, give them a shout:

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia

Check out some photos from our student event: One Day of Thankfulness... you may even receive a handwritten note from a student in the coming weeks!

We're 40% to our donor goal... let's keep it up! GO CATS!

Catamount nation, this is what happens when we come together... 

Last year, One Day for Western donors supported countless projects and programs to make one day possible for Catamounts. Remember how the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band was preparing to travel to Dublin, Ireland for their first international trip? One Day for Western donors played a critical role in these students' experience.

What cause (or causes) will you support this year as we work to fill the Western sky? Help us turn the map purple by encouraging donors from every state to support WCU today.

Video courtsey of Dean George H. Brown; Kilkenny Castle, March 14, 2024.

Donations to the College of Business (COB) have played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of countless students; students like Efrain Arias, a dedicated Business Law & Finance major who had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain during the Spring semester. Efrain's journey to Comillas Pontifical University was made possible through the generosity of donors who understood the importance of global communications and exposure to diverse cultures in today's business world. Efrain's experience highlights the profound impact of these opportunities, saying, "Studying abroad made me more open-minded and has given me a new perspective towards my future career goals." The opportunity to spend a semester abroad not only enriched his understanding of business law, but also fostered a deeper connection with his Spanish heritage and improved his intercultural communication skills. 

Students who graduate from the College of Business are equipped to move into the professional world with a deep understanding of critical industry skills. Leslie Hicks '22 (pictured above), a Sport Management & Marketing major, demonstrates how a business degree can open doors to unexpected and exciting opportunities. Leslie's incredible experience working at Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix was a direct result of her dedication to her studies and the power of networking. This experience allowed her to connect with industry professionals from the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels, providing valuable insights into the world of Sport Management. Leslie's advice to current Sport Management students highlights the importance of networking and making connections, a crucial aspect of a successful career in the field and the Business Ready model, utilized by the College of Business. 

The college aims to empower more students like Leslie and Efrain, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to excel in their chosen fields and create a lasting impact on the business world. 

Your support made these transformative experiences possible for countless students, fostering a new generation of business leaders. Thank you!

One Day for Western exists because of our AMAZING students... join the fun by making your gift or sharing on social media today!

Catamounts, we want to turn the map purple on April 3. We need at least one donor from all 50 states to fill the Western sky, so reach out to Catamounts (and friends of Catamount nation) far and wide! After all, what's more beautiful than a sky full of purple?

States we've already received gifts from are North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, Colorado, and Hawaii. Only 38 to go!

The College of Business is focused on producing business-ready graduates, which includes providing enriching learning experiences for students both in and out of the classroom. 

Funding is needed to ensure students can attend out-of-classroom experiences including the Southern Conference Entrepreneurship Challenge, TVA Investment Challenge, mock trial competitions, and case study competitions.

These experiences shape our students in myriad ways and will equip them with competitive advantages as they begin business careers. Your support helps cover critical expenses like registration fees and travel costs - can we count on you to help our students on One Day for Western?