Officials from five area Community Colleges gathered for lunch on Catawba College's campus on Thursday, October 9, 2008 to learn about new programs and initiatives and scholarship opportunities available to students transferring to Catawba. This is the third such annual event coordinated and emceed by Catawba Vice President for External Relations Phil Kirk and his staff since he joined the College administration in 2006.
Programs featured included Catawba's new Birth to Kindergarten major which leads to a bachelor of art's degree in education, established in 2006; Catawba's Lilly Center for Vocation and Values which helps students narrow and focus on their career options; a new concentration in Outdoor Ministry for those students pursuing a major in Religion and Philosophy, with Catawba being only one of four institutions in the nation to offer this academic program; and internship opportunities and service requirements for students pursing a degree in Business through Catawba's Ketner School of Business.
Speakers about each of these programs included Dr. Lyn Boulter, professor of Psychology and the founder of the B-K major which has grown from six students to almost 75 students in just two years; the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Clapp, director of the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values and College Chaplain; and Professor Pam Thompson, chair of the Ketner School of Business.
Catawba College President Dr. Craig Turner told community college representatives that Catawba "values our relationship with your institutions and we want more of your transfer students." He noted Catawba’s commitment to excellence and said the institution’s focus "is entirely on the undergraduate experience."
Interim Provost Dr. Edith Bolick said the event was an "acknowledgement of how much our collaboration with community colleges means to Catawba." She noted that articulation agreements were in place with most of the institutions represented. Of the community college students who have transferred to Catawba and successfully completed their four-year degrees, Bolick said, "You gave them the foundation and we added on." She cited future opportunities for collaboration between Catawba College and area community colleges are available with the advent of Early College programs in the state.
Catawba College senior Nickalaus Goodman of Rockwell, who transferred to Catawba after earning an associate's degree from Davidson County Community College, spoke about his close relationships with faculty and fellow students. He said he is close to completing work for his Bachelor of Business Administration degree and had found his coursework challenging and enjoyable.
Dr. Michael Bitzer, dean of admissions, also spoke to attendees about the scholarship opportunities available to community college students considering transferring to Catawba College, while Professor Paul Oakley, associate professor of music, provided musical entertainment on the keyboard.
Luncheon attendees represented the following community colleges: Mitchell, Central Piedmont, Davidson County, Stanly, and Rowan-Cabarrus.
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