Western Carolina University will open its doors to prospective students and their families as the university holds its first Open House of the fall semester Saturday, Oct. 29.

Hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Admission, Open House is designed to give interested students an insider’s view of what living and learning is like on the WCU campus. Visitors will have an opportunity to tour the campus, learn about the university’s wide array of academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, and find out the important details of topics such as financial aid.

During Tuesday’s continued meeting of the September Board of Education meeting, board members unanimously voted to adopt a board policy, which will become effective in the 2012/2013 school year. The policy will ultimately prevent Macon Early College (MEC) students from participating in sports at Franklin High School (FHS).

After the Macon County School system received notification from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) that there would be a realignment for 2013-2017, Superintendent Dr. Dan Brigman charged personnel director Dan Moore with contacting school systems in North Carolina who are in similar situations.

The 2011 Homecoming Queen for Smoky Mountain High School will be named Friday night during the home football game against East Henderson.

Members of the homecoming court pictured above left to right: Madison Lovedahl, Emily Nicholson, Joselyn Barker, Grace Norton, Courtney Clapper, Chassidy Buchanan BACK Mandi Dean, Devan Youmans, Courtney Fish, Lindsay Bowers, Kennedy Ensley, April Parker.

Photo courtesy of Smoky Mountain High School

CULLOWHEE – Myron L. Coulter, chancellor of Western Carolina University from 1984 until 1994, died Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer.

Coulter, known to friends and colleagues by his nickname of “Barney,” guided Western Carolina for a decade characterized by a renewed emphasis on excellence in teaching, strategic planning and goal-setting, service to the Western North Carolina region, and outreach to the international community.

During his tenure as chancellor, the university established the Faculty Center for Teaching Excellence, later renamed the Coulter Faculty Commons for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in recognition of his support of the center’s efforts both as chancellor and, upon his retirement, as chancellor emeritus.