Over the past five years, Catawba College freshmen have expressed their interests in a variety of extracurricular activities. Some of their expressed interests reflect a continuation of their high school activities, while others indicate their new interests in participating in one of the more than 40 clubs and organizations offered on campus.
By incoming class, here are the top reported extracurricular activities, in no particular order, per incoming freshman class. Or, here are the ways the freshmen say they want to spend their time outside of class:
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 |
| Band | Honor Society | Band | Sports | Sports |
| Drama-Acting | Band | Drama-Acting | Choir/Choral Music | Honor Society |
| Beta Club | Drama-Acting | Choir/Choral Music | Honor Society | Drama-Acting |
| Cheerleading | Dance | Honor Society | Drama-Acting | Choir |
| Choir/Choral Music | Choir/Choral Music | Religious Activity | Band | Band |
| Honor Society | Cheerleading | Community Service | Christian Athletes | Community Service |
| Art | Student Government | Student Government | Community Service | Christian Athletes |
| Service Club | Community Service | Christian Athletics | Beta Club | Cheerleading |
| Student Government | Christian Athletes | Environmental | Debate | Choral Music |
| ROTC | Visual Arts | Debate | Visual Arts | Dance |
"One of the ways we retain students is to get them involved in activities outside of class," explained Catawba Dean of Students Ben Smith. "They get to know people and have a sense of ownership and place on campus. Over the past three years, Student Government has been an extracurricular activity that has involved many of our students. It has been a vehicle for them to have their voice heard on everything from the idea of textbook rentals to bringing Starbucks products to campus at our McCorkle's snack bar and grill.
"I would encourage all students to take a step outside of their comfort zones and get involved in an organization or activity outside of classes."
RELATED CONTENT:
Clubs & Organizations
Student Life & Activities
