With such a large impact on our city ($450M in economic impact + no. 7 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of top universities, if you recall), it’s obvious that UNC Asheville also has deep-running roots in our community. The university was established in 1927 (part of the UNC system for 50 years) and has consistently engaged Ashevillians in educational (and really cool) opportunities that have helped shape our region’s story and write the next chapter.
This month, we’re ready to hear more. Here are two upcoming UNCA events that we’re marking on our iCals:
🖋 Visiting Writers Series: Will Johnson | March 5, 7 p.m. (tonight) | UNC Asheville’s Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall | free + open to public
Part of the series hosted by UNCA’s Department of English, American singer-songwriter Will Johnson is coming to UNCA (tonight!) for a free, public discussion with UNCA’s Writer-in-Residence Wiley Cash. Johnston is the acclaimed lead singer of indie rock bands Centro-matic and South San Gabriel (click to listen on Spotify), and Cash is the author of NYT bestselling books “A Land More Kind than Home” + “The Last Ballad” (click to Amazon Prime).
📍 “AppalachA’ville” – 42nd Annual Appalachian Studies Conference | March 14-17 | UNC Asheville | conference $135-185; some events free + open to public
Co-hosted by UNCA and Mars Hill University, the 42nd annual Appalachian Studies Conference is returning to Asheville with a new theme: “Engage. Sustain. Innovate.” and topics ranging from sacred spaces for Cherokee + Appalachian people to forging international connections in mountain communities around the world. The multi-day event features 50+ registrant-only sessions + panels, but there are also free, public events on Saturday. Pro tip: The keynote by award-winning writers Ron Rash, Lee Smith + the above-mentioned Wiley Cash is a #MustDo.
This content was created in partnership with UNC Asheville.
