2023 Holiday Ornament 

For the 6th year in a row, Staff Senate and the Rapid Center have continued their partnership with the design and production of this year’s holiday ornament. Patrick Gardner, former Director of the Center, and engineering students Gage Kosnik and Tyler Anderson, worked together to bring the ornament to life.

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The umbrella is a tool which shelters us from rain. It can also be seen as a symbol of the WCU community, representing compassion and unity.

The WCU campus theme for the 2023-2024 academic year is “Community and Belongingness.” In designing this year’s Staff Senate ornament, we wanted to recognize our connection to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, who’s ancestral homeplace is also home to our university and whose identity and culture we work to honor.

We chose to include the Cherokee word SGA DU GI (ᏍᎦᏚᎩ), which translates to “community,” to recognize the importance of this relationship to the health of our region. In sharing a historic landscape, the ECBI and WCU stand under the same umbrella – both figuratively and literally!

Students, staff, faculty, and visitors alike have learned quickly when touring campus that WCU has long stood not only for Western Carolina University, but also “Whee Carry Umbrellas!” Our region is part of the Appalachian temperate rainforest, so it is not uncommon to be caught in a rain shower in the 15-minute walk from one corner of campus to another.

Whether you’re gathering in this community for a workday or game day, let this year’s Staff Senate ornament be a reminder: don’t forget your umbrella!

Special thanks to the Rapid Center faculty and students for their continued partnership!

All sales are final. On-campus delivery is complimentary. There is a $5 per ornament charge for off-campus shipping.

Ornaments can be purchased by clicking on this link: 2023 Holiday Ornament

Staff Senate Cookbook 

Back by popular demand! The 2023-2024 Staff Senate Cookbook is available for pre-order! Pre-orders will be open from September 30 – November 1. The cost of the cookbook is $15 (tax included). All proceeds benefit the Staff Senate Scholarship fund, which supports students who are children and relatives of SHRA and EHRA non-faculty employees. Cookbooks ordered via pre-sale will be delivered to campus offices in early December. The first ever Staff Senate Cookbook SOLD OUT in its first printing and will only be available again for pre-order during this special limited-time offer. Don’t delay – order yours today!

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All sales are final. Staff Senate will deliver on-campus free of charge. Please select this option and provide the appropriate building and office information when entering your address.

Books will be delivered on campus only, do not select shipping during checkout.

Cookbooks can be purchased by clicking on this link: Staff Senate Cookbook