🎉 At Western Carolina University, our faculty and staff are the heartbeat of our community. Every day, you support our students, lift each other up, and make WCU a place where learning and innovation thrive. That’s why we’re excited to celebrate Employee Appreciation Week—a full week dedicated to honoring you with activities, perks, and special events across campus.
This year, Staff Senate has worked with many campus partners to stretch celebrations into a weeklong event so you have plenty of opportunities to join in, recharge, and connect with colleagues.
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🌟 Highlights of the Week
Tuesday, Sept. 2
Professional Headshots & Passport Photos (CCPD, no appointment needed)
Do you need a new a headshot for LinkedIn or a new passport photo? Take advantage of the Iris Photo Booth provided by the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) located in Reid 150 on Tuesday, September 2, between 8:00am and 5:00pm.
Free Family Swim Night (Reid Pool, 5:00–7:00 pm)
Bring the family for a swim night at Reid Pool sponsored by Campus Recreation and Wellness. Lifeguards will be on duty.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Faculty/Staff Portraits (HFR 420, 8:30 am–12:30 pm)
Do you need a new professional photo for your departmental webpage or other official uses? Our colleagues in University Photography are offering open studio sessions during Employee Appreciation Week. No appointment necessary. Please stop by any time between 8:30 and 12:30 on Wednesday, September 3rd. Sessions usually take less than five minutes. Professional attire is recommended.
Faculty/Staff Day at the Mountain Heritage Center (MHC in Hunter Library, 10 am–4 pm)
Wednesday, September 3rd is Faculty/Staff Day at the Mountain Heritage Center! Stop by between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to check out their brand-new exhibit:
Clearing the Hurdles: Women and Sport at WCU 1889 to Present.
Imagine a time when people believed that exercise could harm a woman’s health or
make her less feminine. These outdated ideas were once common and created major
obstacles for women who wanted to play sports. Some doctors even claimed that
physical activity could prevent women from having children, while others feared that
sports would make women too masculine.
This was the world in which Western Carolina University began and where
women’s athletics slowly took root. Despite these hurdles, women at WCU pushed
forward. They trained, competed, and proved that strength and femininity could go
hand in hand. Over time, students, coaches, and leaders changed the culture
and expanded opportunities.
Clearing the Hurdles tells the story of that journey. This exhibit explores the people,
events, and laws that helped shape women’s college sports into what they are today.
Researched, curated, designed, and installed by WCU students, this exhibition is a
collaboration between the WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center and History Department
and the Chancellor’s University History Initiative.
Voter Registration Drive (Catafount, 12:00pm –2:00 pm)
Get registered to vote at the Catafount. Volunteers will be on hand to help!
Step Class – Whee for Life (CRC, 12:30 pm, no CRC membership needed)
Whee for Life Group Exercise classes are free to faculty and staff! Join us for Step Class with Holly at 12:30 in the Campus Recreation Center. You do not need to be a member of the CRC or have a Group Exercise membership to attend.
Thursday, Sept. 4
2025 Annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon (Ramsey Center, 11:00 am–1:30 pm)
Wear your purple and gold and enjoy food, fun, and prizes! Join us for the 2025 Annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon on the main floor of the Ramsey Regional Activity Center between 11:00 am and 1:30 pm on Thursday, September 4th. Free swag will be provided and a Benefits/Vendor fair featuring 30+ vendors from the University and surrounding community will be on the concourse throughout the event.
Catamount Athletics Ticket Giveaway (Ramsey Center Truck Tunnel, 11:00am – 1:30pm)
Be on the lookout for our colleagues from Catamount Athletics when you arrive at the Employee Appreciation Luncheon. They will be in the truck tunnel providing vouchers for two free home football tickets to every faculty and staff member!
Faculty/Staff Portraits (HFR 420, 12:30–4:30 pm)
Do you need a new professional photo for your departmental webpage or other official uses? Our colleagues in University Photography are offering open studio sessions during Employee Appreciation Week. No appointment necessary. Please stop by any time between 12:30 and 4:30 on Thursday, September 4th. Sessions usually take less than five minutes. Professional attire is recommended.
Friday, Sept. 5
Passport Drive (by appointment, hosted by the Office of Global Engagement)
WCU Global be hosting a Passport Drive on Friday, September 5th! Please use the links below to sign up for appointments based on the size of your party!
- Sign-Up for 1-2 Individuals: https://calendly.com/d/cm4x-tq8-g3f/9-5-passport-sessions-1-2-people
- Sign-Up for 3 Individuals: https://calendly.com/d/cm8c-6b5-2p4/9-5-passport-sessions-3-people
- Sign-Up for 4 Individuals: https://calendly.com/d/cnsy-cz3-8kt/9-5-passport-sessions-4-people
Please visit WCU Global’s Passport Services webpage for more details.
$8 Fridays at the Courtyard Dining Hall (7:00am – 9:00pm, Courtyard Dining Hall)
Visit the Catamount Café at the Courtyard Dining Hall for an all-you-can-eat experience for only $8! This discount if over 25% off for faculty and staff.
🎁 All Week Long
- Replacement Cat Cards for faculty & staff (Brown 225, 8:00 am–5:00 pm)
- Do you need a new Cat Card? Get a free replacement at the Cat Card Office this week only! Stop by Brown 225 anytime between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
- 10% Bookstore Discount
- $5 off Bardo Arts Center performances all year
- 15% off season tickets for Catamount Sports
💜 Thank you for all you do!
We hope to see you throughout the week as we celebrate the incredible faculty and staff who make Western Carolina University so special.