The visit was coordinated by Dr. Christine Lynn, Associate Dean of the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, in collaboration with Ashley Ellis, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Business Teacher at North Rowan Middle School. Drs. Pamela Thompson, Joanna Trammell, and Jennifer Yurchisin were also instrumental in organizing and facilitating this educational partnership.
The day began with an engaging, hands-on marketing workshop led by Catawba’s Principles of Marketing students, where the middle schoolers collaborated in small groups to develop creative solutions to real-world business challenges.
Following the marketing session, students participated in a technology-focused learning experience led by Dr. Thompson. During this session, they were introduced to Finch robots—AI-enabled tools designed to teach programming and computational thinking in a fun, interactive way.
Lynn expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “These visits provide middle school students with early exposure to business concepts and technology, while also allowing our Catawba students to practice mentorship and leadership. It’s a wonderful exchange of ideas and energy.”
Adding to the excitement of the day, Catawba College’s new sideline mascot, Blue, made a surprise appearance. During the final session, KSOB students and North Rowan Middle School students had the chance to spend quality time with Blue—taking photos, sharing high-fives, and celebrating their learning experience together.
This event was part of an ongoing collaboration between Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Catawba College’s Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications and highlight the value of early engagement in business, leadership, and technology education.
