Catawba College marked its homecoming weekend with a special kick-off event announcing its $38.2 million Campaign for Growth. The college’s Office of Development is concentrating on three specific areas in the MIND BODY SOUL campaign with donors designating where their dollars will be used.
The three-year campaign is designed to upgrade facilities and begin new programs, ensuring that the college is fully prepared to grow and retain students. With growth of 200 students, the college would add $4.3 million to its tuition revenue per year. Growth of 700 students would allow the college to add $10.3 million to its annual revenue.
Darlene Ball of Salisbury, co-chair of the campaign, said that the kick-off event clearly explained the importance of all gifts – large and small – and the importance of each gift to the future of the college. “Each gift counts,” she said. “This is an engagement campaign. We want to reach and engage all alumni and friends of the college. Everyone will find something in this campaign that will make a key difference in academics, athletics or spiritual experiences on campus. They can contribute, as they are able, and we will show them results.”
More than 200 alumni and friends of the college attended the kick-off event at Robertson-college Community Center, held immediately after the homecoming football game. T-shirts and giveaways promoting the campaign were distributed on campus throughout the day and at the stadium.
Banners and sidewalk promotions on MIND BODY SOUL were displayed throughout the day. The evening event featured a video of key people in the campaign. MIND, BODY SOUL towers were set up with professors, students and trustees explaining each area. Brochures and a website (www.CatatawbMindBodySoul.com) are available on each phase of the campaign with details of how the dollars will be used. “The event defined specifically what we need today,” said Ball.
Brien Lewis, college president, said that the campaign reflects that reaching one’s full potential requires the education of the whole person. “Catawba needs to be placed firmly at the intersection of the liberal arts and real world experiences. The campaign is about ensuring that we are fully prepared to provide access to 21stcentury opportunities,” he said. In addition to inspiring professors, today’s students need experiential opportunities such as internships, travel, service and undergraduate research, he said.
“Our growth plan seeks to make the distinctive Catawba experience sustainable, while ensuring that every student has access to the programs and experiences that will prepare them to succeed in a rapidly evolving and demanding world,“ Lewis said.
The campaign committee, led by Ball, Class of ’62, and Dan Bross, Class of ’71, of New York, N.Y, plans to raise the following:
- MIND, $28 million, for Environment and Science, Health Science, Performing Arts, Business, Student Success, Impact Areas (Internships, Research and Creativity, Travel and Service Learning), and Scholarship Support. This committee is led by Deborah Messinger of Salisbury, Class of ’74, and Greg Alcorn, of Salisbury, Class of ’79.
- BODY, $6.9 million, for Shuford Field Artificial Turf for Football/Track, State-of-the-
Art Video Board, Newman Park Baseball Field Renovation, Abernethy PE Center New Locker Rooms, Renovated Coaches’ Offices; Outdoor Sand Volleyball; Whitley Softball Field Lighting; and Frock Athletic Complex Restrooms/Concessions. This committee is led by Barbara Marshall of Cary, Class of ’72, and Randy Crumpler of Raleigh, Class of ’75. - SOUL, $3.3 million, for Organ Renovation and Enhancement, Omwake-Dearborn Chapel Endowment, Endowment for Discovery Programs, and Support for Clergy Alumni, Churches and Students Preparing for Ministry. This campaign is led by Sara Cook of Salisbury, Class of ’65, and Richard Seiwell, of West Chester, Penn., Class of ’67.
Fred Stanback of Salisbury and Junie Michael of Mooresville, Class of ’70, are Honorary Co-Chairmen. Meg K. Dees is interim Vice President of Development.
