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 Ģ������ƵStories      March 3, 2025

By Bill Studenc

Public school students in Western North Carolina’s eighth educational district who plan to major in mathematics education at Ģ������Ƶ soon will be eligible for scholarship assistance thanks to a financial commitment from longtime math educator Wanda Stephens Herren of Cullowhee.

Herren, a native of Jackson County who was educated in the county’s school system and earned two degrees at WCU, recently made gifts and pledges totaling $25,000 to create the Wanda Stephens Herren Math Education Endowed Scholarship.

She said she established the scholarship fund to help alleviate some of the burden of expenses for students and their parents and to improve the overall college experience for students.

“When I was a student, I was on work study in Hunter Library  and also had part-time jobs at local businesses, usually about 40 hours a week. I missed concerts and being able to participate in extracurricular activities. Even though the varied work experiences were invaluable, I feel that my college experience may have been more enjoyable without having to work so much. I hope that this scholarship will help provide needed financial support and encouragement for more students to choose the mathematics education program at WCU,” Herren said.

“I am deeply appreciative of the opportunities Ģ������Ƶhas afforded me and my family. My mother, Geneva Metcalf Stephens, graduated from Western Carolina Teachers College in the early ‘50s, and I was the first of my father’s family to complete college,” she said. “The faculty and staff of Ģ������Ƶwere always so kind and helpful to me.”

When fully endowed, the scholarship fund will provide support to Ģ������Ƶstudents planning to major in math education who reside within the 13 westernmost counties of North Carolina – Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania.

Preference will be given to incoming freshmen with demonstrated financial need, and the scholarship may be renewable throughout each recipient’s undergraduate career at WCU.

The scholarship will help the College of Education and Allied Professions meet a growing need for teachers of mathematics, said Kim Winter, dean of the college.

“We need more educators, and math teachers are in high demand. Ms. Herren is a shining example of an excellent educator and contributing community member. Effective math teachers make a substantial difference in the lives of students,” Winter said.

“Math education lays the groundwork for problem-solving skills, analytical thinking and adaptability. Strong math teachers create purposeful learning experiences for students through solving problems in relevant and meaningful contexts,” she said. “This scholarship will have a positive impact on students from WNC who will follow in Ms. Herren’s footsteps.”

Herren received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Ģ������Ƶin 1969, returning later to earn her master’s degree in secondary mathematics education in 1983.

During her nearly 30-year career as an educator, she taught at Swain County, Sylva-Webster and Smoky Mountain high schools, retiring in 2019. Herren taught the first computer classes in Jackson County and college credit classes in advanced placement calculus and statistics. She also has served as an adjunct professor of math at Ģ������Ƶand taught classes for Southwestern Community College and Mars Hill College.

Herren conducted many teacher workshops offered by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, and she served on an advisory board for the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.

She has received numerous recognitions and awards for her teaching. She was a nominee for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary Math Teaching in 1987 and 1990. In 1992, Sigma Xi (a scientific research society devoted to the promotion of research in science) and the Ģ������ƵUniversity Club presented her a certificate of recognition for her dedication in the teaching of mathematics.

Herren was selected as the Smoky Mountain High School Teacher of the Year and then was chosen as the Jackson County Teacher of the Year in 1996. The Ģ������ƵCollege of Education and Allied Professions and the Alliance of Business Leaders and Educators presented her with the Creative Teacher of the Year Award in 1997.

Following her teaching career, Herren became one of the first female licensed general contractors in Jackson County. She is currently a real estate agent with Western Carolina Properties, one of the  founders of Tuckasegee Trading Co. and the owner of vacation rentals in the Cullowhee area.

She is a past officer of the Sylva Garden Club and a member of the Cullowhee United Methodist Church, serving as a trustee. She enjoys live music, traveling, gardening, growing plants in her greenhouse and taking them to the local farmer’s market. Herren lives on a farm in Tuckasegee, where she has several rescued animals.

In addition to her contributions to math education at Ģ������Ƶand beyond, she has been a supporter of WCU’s Friends of the Arts, the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band and the Catamount Club.

Creation of the Wanda Stephens Herren Math Education Endowed Scholarship Fund comes as Ģ������Ƶenters the public phase of its “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $100 million in philanthropic support for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs.

For more information about the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign or to make a contribution, visit , call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.