UNC Asheville Alumni Association

10/15/2026

10/07/2026

🏀 Calling all Bulldogs: the Mountain Rivalry is headed to Kimmel Arena! 🏀

We want to see our alumni fill the stands on Saturday, November 7, and we’re making this game day extra special for you and your family. 💙

When the Bulldogs take on Western, we're hosting an exclusive Alumni Zone in Grimes atrium. Stop by for our pregame that starts at 4:30 and again during half time. We'll have free snacks, b**r and w**e for alumni and their families/friends.

To get your discounted game day ticket, use the link below and code "Alumni26."

Come ready for fun, wear your blue, and help us pack Kimmel for the Mountain Rivalry! 🐶🏀💙

Click here to get your tickets: https://university-of-north-carolina-asheville-ilh9.vivenushop.com/event/mens-basketball-vs-western-carolina-3tcvlg

09/28/2026

“UNC Asheville is the place that made me who I am.”

When we recently caught up with Koren Bakkegard ’96, she told us that whenever she gives a presentation about her journey in higher education, she starts in the same place: UNC Asheville.

Now, that journey has brought Koren to the College of the Holy Cross, where she recently began a new role as Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students.

But the path to a career spent shaping the college experience for others began with her own experience as a student here. During her time at UNC Asheville, Koren was a Literature and Language major and Teaching Fellow.

She still remembers hearing then-Chancellor Sam Schuman speak at her orientation about what makes a liberal arts education distinctive—the opportunity to see connections across disciplines, between people and throughout humanity. His mentorship continued well beyond that day. Even after leaving UNC Asheville to lead another institution, Schuman continued an independent study with Koren on Shakespeare.

That kind of investment left an impression, and Koren says Dr. Schuman was the reason she ultimately pursued a career in higher education.

More than 20 years in higher education later she is now bringing that commitment to Holy Cross.

There’s something pretty special about seeing the impact of great mentorship come full circle: a student who was deeply shaped by the people who invested in her at UNC Asheville has spent her career creating that kind of transformative college experience for others.

Congratulations, Koren! We’re proud to see where your UNC Asheville story has taken you. 💙 https://magazine.holycross.edu/stories/koren-bakkegard-joins-holy-cross-vice-president-student-development-dean-students

09/25/2026

Alumni-Owned Business Spotlight! Pick a little fall fun while supporting fellow Bulldogs at Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, a family farm in Hendersonville where Rita Stepp '71 and Danielle Stepp McCall '96 help carry on generations of apple-growing tradition. https://steppapples.com/

09/25/2026

Shoutout to Allison Hargus '15, Director of Appalachian Community Relief, for doing incredible work to help her community! 💙

09/25/2026

Happy !

Today we are celebrating Gary Waddell '84, one of our many fabulous alumni authors who has a new book coming out this October, “Wonder: An Owner’s Guide to Your One Extraordinary Life” (2026). Learn more here

The world is still full of wonder. Look. Thirteen lyric essays on paying attention, coming October 2026 — plus speaking and leadership consulting.

09/24/2026

Fall is officially here! We can’t wait for more walks through campus as the leaves start to change. 🍂

09/23/2026

𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙂 all alumni 🗣️

Alumni Day is right around the corner and we want to celebrate you and your dedication to Asheville Volleyball 💙

RSVP at the link in our bio!

09/18/2026

For this we are highlighting Justin Greene '13, who was recently named the Assistant Director of Maintenance for Catawba County Schools. Congratulations, Justin 💙

09/15/2026

🌭 Now this is a career update we can really relish. (Sorry, we had to.)

Congratulations to Molly Sanford ’12, who recently joined Kraft Heinz as a Consumer Insights Manager for the Oscar Mayer hot dog and bacon categories!

After several years working in market research across the automotive and insurance industries, Molly is bringing her experience to the consumer packaged goods world in Chicago. She is now helping uncover the insights that shape one of the country’s most recognizable brands.

We love seeing where a UNC Asheville education takes our Bulldogs. Congratulations on the new adventure, Molly! 💙