Cullowhee, N.C. – A combined 17 Western Carolina student-athletes participated in commencement exercises over the weekend at the Ramsey Center in #CatamountCountry, including four receiving graduate degrees. Seven WCU sports were represented, with nine Catamount football players walking during the two weekend ceremonies.
 
Former Catamount women's basketball players AC Carter and Nicole Azar finished their Master's degrees, while former Catamount softball transfer Imara Harrell was awarded her Master's degree in business administration. Micah Nelson, one of 13 national finalists for the prestigious Doris Robinson Award, acquired his master's degree from WCU over the weekend. Also, former Catamount right-handed pitcher Dusty Revis, drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 11th round of the 2025 draft over the summer, also finished his degree.
 
Current Catamount men's basketball forward Chase McKey, and active men's track & field student-athletes Elias Barton (sprinter) and CJ McFerrin (hurdles) each walked as part of the graduation ceremonies. Former WCU women's soccer standout Abbie Wise, who was a first-team All-Southern Conference selection as a defender in 2025, likewise participated in Saturday's ceremonies.
 
In addition to Nelson, who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Western Carolina and amassed 145 career tackles, Catamount football had nine total participants in the winter commencement ceremonies. Branson Adams concluded his playing career with 2,183 career all-purpose yards, including 1,479 rushing, 661 receiving, and 43 on kick returns. Adams scored 13 career touchdowns. Caleb Fisher finished with 88 career tackles, including 20 for loss with 5.5 sacks.
 
Both Hayward McQueen Jr. and Samaurie Dukes played the past four seasons for the Catamounts, starting as freshmen. McQueen secured 204 career tackles over his four-year career, 19 going for loss with four sacks, while Dukes had 199 tackles, 11.5 for loss with six career interceptions. Brett Gray, who transferred to WCU from Valparaiso ahead of the 2024 season, returned from injury late in 2025 to give him four starts on the year and 11 games played over the past two seasons.
 
Playing part of the last two seasons until being sidelined with injury in 2025, Christian Lowery scored 77 total points, including 65 in 2024. He is 14-of-19 in field goals with 35 made PATs. Offensive lineman Evan Carney and tight end Isaac McLellan both have remaining eligibility.
 
Baseball:
Dusty Revis, RHP (BSBA; Management)
 
Men's Basketball:
Chase McKey, F (BSBA; Business Administration & Law)
 
Women's Basketball:
AC Carter, F (MS; in Sport Management)
Nicole Azar, G (MS; in Sport Management)
 
Football:
Branson Adams, RB (BSBA; Management; BSBA; Computer Information Systems)
Evan Carney, OL (BSBA; Marketing)
Samaurie Dukes, DB (BS; Criminal Justice)
Caleb Fisher, DE (BS; Integrated Health Science)
Brett Gray, OL (BSBA; Marketing)
Christian Lowery, PK (BSBA; Marketing)
Isaac McLellan, TE (BS; Integrated Health Science)
Hayward McQueen, LB (BS; Criminal Justice)
Micah Nelson, DE (MS, Sport Management)
 
Women's Soccer:
Abbie Wise (BSN, Nursing)
 
Softball:
Imara Harrell, OF (MBA; Business Administration)
 
Track & Field:
Elias Barton (BSBA; Sport Management)
CJ McFerrin (BSBA; Management)