As a high school student attending the American Legion Tar Heel Boys State at Catawba College, Kendrick Mayes says that he had "a welcoming sense of what campus life at Catawba would be like for me."
He made the decision to attend Catawba after being recruited to play football and says that he has never regretted it. "What inspired me most was the support and encouragement from the faculty and staff," he says. "I especially appreciated the small class sizes that allowed the instructors to be able to give more attention to each student. The instructors were always accessible and consistently offered words of encouragement during tough times."
He attributes his time at Catawba to helping him with both leadership and interpersonal skills, as well as providing him with the opportunity for an outstanding education. As President of his Senior Class at Catawba, he says that his leadership skills were tested and sharpened, preparing him for leadership roles professionally. He is especially mindful of his ability to make a positive impact with people in his community, as well as abroad, he says.
As President of Catawba's Physical Education Majors Club, he was encouraged to attend the National Conference. "This sparked my interest in organized management, which has led to my current membership in the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association," he says.
Kendrick, Class of 2012 at Catawba, is currently enjoying professional life as Special Events Coordinator for the City of Greensboro, NC. He earned his undergraduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Catawba and his master's degree in Recreation Administration from North Carolina Central University.
In his current position, he oversees and implements Greensboro's permitting process for events, such as the North Carolina Folk Festival and the Aggie FanFest. Aggie FanFest is held during North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's Homecoming Week and is the city's largest managed special event.
Kendrick started his career as an Athletic Specialist with the Durham Parks and Recreation Department. Then, he was the Marketing and Events Coordinator for the Town of Garner Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department in Garner, NC. While in Garner, he served as an emcee for the Garner Christmas Parade, Garner Showcase of Talent Show and was a regular on the local news station providing the Garner Update. In 2016, Kendrick served as an emcee for the National Recreation and Park Association Best of the Best Awards Ceremony in St. Louis, MO.
He recommends Catawba to high school students who want:
- Smaller class sizes that afford an opportunity to learn.
- The opportunity to become well-rounded individuals.
- The support of faculty, staff, and employees who genuinely care.
- The opportunity to study abroad as an undergrad.
The collective campus experience at Catawba "is second to none," he says. "I will be forever grateful for the education, experience, and lifelong faculty relationships fostered at Catawba. If you want to be ranked among the best of the best, don't hesitate to choose Catawba."
