First-Year Seminar (FYS)

Fall 2024

Innovating for Social Good

In this first-year seminar, students will explore the entrepreneurial frontier where innovative technology transforms the market economy.  Government investment in national goals enables the discovery of new knowledge and fuels the innovation process for the betterment of humanity, providing the building blocks of new technologies.  Nevertheless, it is the downstream experiments in exploiting novel technologies and processes by private sector actors that bring them to customers and other end-users.  Financial bubbles and speculative investment amplify the impact of innovations and accelerate their impact.  Students will explore the development of different technologies and innovations.  They will work on a group project which allows them to trace the development of a current technology and discuss its potential for future growth

Imran Chowdhury, Ph.D., is Dean and Saleeby Professor of Business Administration at the Ketner School of Business at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina.  Dr. Chowdhury previously held the Diana Davis Spencer Chair in Social Entrepreneurship at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, and served as a tenured Associate Professor at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business in New York City.  He has held international visiting positions at Freie Universität Berlin (Germany); Montpellier Business School (France); CEFAM Business School (France); and ESSEC Asia-Pacific (Singapore).  Chowdhury’s engagement with the business and academic communities builds on both his academic expertise and his early career working at a leading entrepreneurial biotechnology company in New York and in Uganda.  After graduating from Stuyvesant High School, Dr. Chowdhury earned his undergraduate degree in anthropology and geography from Hunter College, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and the recipient of an Athena Scholarship. He completed graduate studies in France, obtaining a master’s degree at L’Institut européen d’administration des affaires (INSEAD), and a Ph.D. from L’École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales (ESSEC Business School).

Have I Got a Story for You!

From the rocking chairs on front porches in North Carolina to boardrooms in the skyscrapers of New York, stories help us to craft identity, sell an idea, make heroes and villains, and give our lives ultimate meaning. Stories exist in cave paintings that reflect the earliest moments of humanity to the Instagram reels we share with our friends. They tell us what a society values and what we value – offering wisdom, advice, and warnings, if we just take the time to listen. As we seek to understand ourselves and discern our calling in the world how can story help to inform and inspire who we are and who we want to be. 

Reverend Kendra Joyner-Miller and Professor Annie O‘Brien

Women in Leadership

Dr. Joanna Trammell

Dr. Jeremiah Nelson

The class will explore the fundamentals of leadership and engagement opportunities on campus and different strategies for academic as well as social success. We will look at the unique experiences of women in senior leadership positions in corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations and will discuss inspiring leadership stories with a special focus on strategies of high-achieving female leaders.

By developing a deeper understanding of issues related to professional women in leadership roles, this course will help you increase your self-knowledge about your values, vision for the future, and ways in which you might become a leader on campus, at work, and in your community.

The class welcomes anyone interested in purposeful leadership. It is ideal for anyone who wants to become an advocate for positive change and will be especially relevant to students who want to learn leadership skills that support the development of female leaders. 

Dr. Joanna Trammell is an associate professor of business and has been at Catawba College since 2021. She earned her BBA, MS, and an MBA from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK and a DBA from Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. Dr. Trammell teaches a variety of courses in management and marketing. Originally from Gdansk, Poland, she came to the US on a basketball scholarship to pursue college and spent the first part of her professional career teaching at a small college in Oklahoma. She was a first-generation student, an international student, and a student athlete, so she feels she understands and identifies with these populations in particular but loves working with all students. In her spare time, Dr. Trammell enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the world, reading, and volunteering in the animal shelter.

Dr. Jeremiah Nelson works in Catawba College’s Ketner School of Business as Assistant Professor of Management and Program Director of the Ketner MBA and Bachelor of Business Administration programs. With more than 25 years of higher education experience, his responsibilities have spanned a wide range of leadership roles including strategic recruitment, admissions, retention, career and professional development, diversity and inclusion, career and professional development, and student services. He has more than 20 years of experience teaching online, in-person, and hybrid undergraduate and graduate courses in strategic management, entrepreneurship, and HR. He holds a BS and MS from Central Connecticut State University and MS in Human Resources from Western Carolina University. He earned his Ph.D. in Leadership Studies at North Carolina A&T State University. His love language is chocolate chip cookies, he’s running half marathons in all 50 states, and he has an unreasonable obsession with dachshunds. 

Roll for Initiative: How Dungeons & Dragons Teaches Leadership 

Prof. Steffanie Jimenez West

Convince the guard you are allowed to pass. Determine if the helpful shopkeeper is swindling you. Acquire companionsthat believe in your mission and are willing to fight for your cause. Successfully execute a plan to break into the castle. Whether it is a mystical land, college, or a future career – life is an adventure, and it helps to know how to navigate the difficult terrain. Typical Dungeons and Dragons tropes can teach valuable interpersonal skills that are seen in some of the best leaders. While creating and playing your D&D character for the semester you will learn valuable skills to become an effective leader including thinking on your feet, understanding your own proficiencies, navigating conflict, and finding the leadership style that resonates with you.

You will also experience diverse perspectives on the topic of leadership including areas outside of the traditional business lens including art, theatre, writing, and social sciences.

Ms. Steffanie West, MBA is the college’s IT Operations Director and Project Manager. A Catawba alumna for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, she has held management positions in diverse areas of the college including Admissions, Registrar, data, and technology. A two-time winner of the President’s Award for Staff Excellence for the 2015-2016 and 2020-2021 academic years and the President’s Award for Community Service for the 2022-2023 academic year, Steffanie is passionate about using leadership skills to strengthen the campus community. 

Good Vibrations: Cymatics Revealed

Dr. Quinton Rice

Symmetry and beauty are themes that often inspire great revelation in humans. The emergence of hidden universal geometry begs us to contemplate the nature of resonance through an experiential journey. This course will introduce Cymatics, the science of visualizing vibration, through the manipulation of audio frequencies in various mediums to uncover the mysteries of human acoustic perception. We will explore the surprising relationship between art and science to create breathtaking images of resonant modes while employing a range of modern techniques to describe the patterns of the universe and investigate deeper connections. 

Dr. Quinton Rice is an assistant professor of physics and joined Catawba in 2023. He completed his Ph.D. in Physics at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia with a specialization in optics and condensed matter physics. Recently, he has used his background in material science to explore the development of more efficient photovoltaic technology to promote clean energy and mitigate climate change. This work seeks to develop hybrid nanomaterials to capture an increased range of the solar spectrum while reducing thermal waste, boosting the overall efficiency of solar cells. Dr. Rice is always seeking students to participate in different research projects whether they are new to research or have past experience. Outside of research, he enjoys composing music, exercising, and finding new restaurants. 

Did AI do that??

Dr. Kathy Baker

Dr. Scott Morton

The technology sector is experiencing whirlwinds of activity. Artificial intelligence, a field that has existed for decades, has recently seen unprecedented growth. This raises the question: are we heading towards a future dominated by robots? Meanwhile, quantum computing is nearing a breakthrough. Additionally, two brain-computer interfaces have already been tested in humans. These instances represent only a fraction of the significant technological advancements occurring today. What does the future hold? This course will explore the origins, ethical considerations, and future possibilities of contemporary innovative technologies. We will examine current advancements such as AI, quantum computing, brain-computer interfaces, military technology, robotics, and more. The critical questions we will address include: What direction are we heading in, and is it the direction we ought to pursue?

Dr. Katherine Baker, professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, started at Catawba in 2017. She holds undergraduate degrees in both Mathematics and Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics. She spent 11 years in the United States Air Force, where she was responsible for the control of encryption and decryption materials for communications by the E-9, Airborne Warning and Control Center. She currently teaches Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Systems classes. Outside of school, Dr. Baker is a diehard gamer and cat lady. 

Dr. Scott A. Morton, is a professor of communication and digital media production. He began his career at Catawba College in 2017 following his doctoral graduation from the University of Alabama’s Department of Communication and Information Science. Dr. Morton has a background in mass communication history and specializes in 20th Century propaganda, especially in radio and film. Before coming to academia, he spent ten years running one of Alabama’s largest nonprofit scholarship programs, The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program. Dr. Morton teaches communication classes including media history, public relations, digital media production, and media writing.

Wax On, Wax Off: The Tao of Mr. Miyagi

Dr. Chad Betters

Martial arts, or “the art of war,” encompasses a variety of styles and systems, each with unique goals and philosophies. While some people view martial arts as simply fighting, those who have adopted a martial arts lifestyle can attest to the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of “walking the path.” Many esteemed marital artists, both real and fictional, have shared their principles to those who commit themselves to the various art forms. Their “Tao,” or their doctrine for how to live, not only drives those who practice martial arts, but has many applications for everyday life of the non-practitioner. From “Be like water,” to “Strike first, strike hard, no mercy,” this class will explore the many teachings within several martial arts and the applications not only to physical practice, but to everyday life. Students will also develop an appreciation for the benefits of martial arts culture, as well as learn how to perform a technique or two.

Chad J. Betters, PhD, LCMHC, BCPCC is an Associate Professor, Chair of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, and Chair of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences at Catawba College. He is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in North Carolina and nationally board certified Christian counselor, and has over twenty years of experience, academically and clinically, in the counseling arena. Dr. Betters has served the academy teaching counseling and health science curriculum and conducting scholarly work resulting in over a dozen publications and over fifty local, regional, and national presentations. His research interests include faith-based approaches in counseling, marital counseling practices, and stress management approaches. Clinically, he has worked in private practice, treating individuals, couples, and families. Dr. Betters earned his BA at the University of North Florida, and his MHS and PhD at the University of Florida. He spends free time with his wife and children, serves their church working with the youth ministry, and training and competing in martial arts. Dr. Betters was introduced to martial arts as a kid and has trained in several styles, currently focusing on traditional martial arts of Japanese origin. His current goals include 1) self-defense, 2) competing with other practitioners who are stubborn enough to keep training at our age, and 3) keeping up with his nine-year old son, an annual medalist at state and national tournaments. 

Hoofbeats, Hearts, and Minds

Prof. Laura Collander

"There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." Winston Churchill

Horses can hear a heartbeat up to 4 feet away and can read the intention and emotion of a human being in a split second. We will explore how horses can help humans understand the importance of nonverbal communication and tapping into one’s intentions. Horses are incredibly intuitive animals who mirror the energy and intention of the humans working with them. Because of their pure reactions to humans, they are excellent teachers. In this seminar, we will learn how horses communicate with one another and with humans. We will read and learn about different programs, including prison rehabilitation and behavioral management with at-risk youth. We will visit at least one horse farm, and you will all have the opportunity to work directly with horses to connect with your own abilities.  

Professor Laura Collander joined Catawba in 2023, teaching Intro to College Reading and Writing, Critical Reading and Writing, and Reading and Writing Arguments in the English department. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master’s Degree in Education. She has a unique background with over 25 years of teaching spanning K-12 through college. She is a competitive equestrian and lives on her small horse farm with her two sons and her husband. She was raised on a small farm in New Hampshire and met her husband while living and skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. When her oldest son was born, her family moved to Concord, NC, where they have lived for the past 21 years. 

The Pursuit: The Hero’s Journey

Profs. Palmer, Martin, Grant, and Rudolph

**Students must apply and be accepted to these FYS sections as members of the PURSUIT**

In this class, we will explore the theme of “the hero’s journey” by reading influential and transformative texts from fields like Philosophy, English, and History. We will study a wide range of heroic stories from medieval Arthurian legends to modern comic books. We will address our preconceptions about what it means to be a hero or a villain and try to better understand how these ideas shape our view of humanity.

Some of the questions we will seek to answer include:

• What makes someone a hero, a villain, or an anti-hero?
• What do the virtues and flaws of superheroes and human heroes reveal about society?
• How do different cultures conceptualize heroes and villains? How do these conceptualizations change over time?
• Are there parallels between the experiences and journeys of heroes and everyday life?

In addition to the in-class experiences offered by the Pursuit, the course incorporates excursions including presentations by visiting scholars, dinners with alums, museums trips, performances, and literary readings.

Dr. Anne Marie Martin is an assistant professor in the History department. She received bachelors degrees in History and Secondary Education from Clemson University, a masters in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, a masters in History from Sam Houston State University, and a PhD in History from the University of Arkansas. While Dr. Martin’s historical research focuses on death and burial in the US south during the Early Republic and antebellum periods (it is far less creepy than you might think), her teaching areas also include general US history, Latin American history, and religious history. In her free time, Dr. Martin enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family, and reading. 

Dr. Gordon Grant came to Catawba in 2003. He grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and went to Dickinson College for his B.A. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English, where he specialized in modern British literature, rhetoric, and interpretive theory. He and his family spent 15 years in the Lone Star State, and learned to love the culture and geography of the Southwest. The last 18 years in North Carolina have meant a happy return to a more temperate climate and to hills, forests, and waterways very similar to the ones he explored earlier in his life. Now that his three children are grown, he spends his free time fishing for brook, brown, and rainbow trout in the mountain waters of various North Carolina and Virginia streams and rivers. 

Dr. Kerstin Rudolph joined Catawba in 2016. Originally from Germany, she earned a B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from the University of Cologne, Germany, and her Ph.D. in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Rudolph has taught a broad range of courses on the college level for over twenty years, but her research and teaching focuses mostly on American and African-American literature. In her free time, Dr. Rudolph is happiest when she’s with horses.

Professor Shelley Palmerhas taught English with Catawba for the last 12 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MA from UNC Charlotte. She and her husband live in the historic district of Salisbury, so their old house keeps them busy. She is mom to 3 active boys, so you will likely find her at practice or a game when she is not in class. She enjoys yoga, her golden doodles, and travel.

HONORS: Sounds of Silence: Music as Voice for the Oppressed

Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery

Dr. Julie Chamberlain 

* Students must be accepted members of the College Honors Program*

From folk songs to riot grrrl punk to rap, many artists have championed the rights of the oppressed through their music, representing the countless voices of silenced populations. For example, music and the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties became virtually synonymous, as African American artists, from Odetta to James Brown, celebrated black consciousness and/or called for social change through their music. Ultimately, music has been used as a powerful conduit to educate people about the issues of race, gender, poverty, and social injustice and to inspire people to work for equality.

Through this course, students will examine structured inequality and oppression and how music communicates feelings, events and issues often ignored or spoken about in quiet whispers. More specifically, we will explore how popular music has given voice to those who have been historically silenced and has served as an engine of social change and as a reflection of various social movements. 

Dr. Maria Vandergriff-Avery, or “Dr. V-A” as her students call her, has been teaching at Catawba College since 2001 and is a Professor of Sociology and the Director of the Catawba Honors Program. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Dr. V-A is most interested in exploring the sociology of families, the various ways in which social inequality manifests itself in our society, and social movements. She is passionate about teaching and was awarded the Swink Prize for Outstanding Classroom Teaching in 2012-2013, the Professor of the Year Award in 2022-2023, and the Trustees Award for Outstanding Contribution to the College in 2022-2023. When she isn’t on campus, Dr. V-A enjoys running, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Julie Chamberlain is a Professor of Music and serves as the Director of Worship Music and Production at Catawba College. A first-generation college student, she earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Wingate University, Master of Music and Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. A faculty member at Catawba since 1989, Dr. Chamberlain's teaching interests have evolved to include popular music theory, film music, and world music. During the 2010-2011 academic year, she had the privilege of serving as the Swink Professor for Excellence in Teaching, the highest honor for classroom teaching at Catawba. Students also recognized her as the Professor of the Year for both the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years. When she is not teaching at Catawba, she enjoys playing canasta, thrift store shopping and watching ACC sports.