Alumni and Student Story

To my family, Catawba is seen as a very welcoming school that is catering to the needs of me and my family. It's seen as a school with staff who truly care about the students. ”

Ian, Alex, and Tatiana Verity are a father, son, and daughter trio that all call Catawba College home. Ian recently graduated with his bachelor's degree in business management and is currently working toward his master’s. Alex is a biology major and a member of the Track and Field team. Tatiana is also a biology major and a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team.

They all chose to attend Catawba because it felt like the perfect fit that met their different needs. Alex said, “Catawba was the school that best fit our academic needs. My father loved the programs and the professors. My sister and I liked the classroom setting and the ability to play our favorite sports here.”

When searching for a program, Ian knew he needed one that would be flexible enough to fit his work schedule and Catawba was the answer. “While there were several online universities, I was partly concerned about having the right amount of discipline to tackle the coursework on my own. Hybrid learning seemed like the right approach. In 2018 when I started on this path, it was exactly what I needed to get myself mentally prepared for this journey. I was on campus a couple nights a week in the evening and other courses were remote. This prepared me for the post covid remote learning experience,” he said.

Each of them loves Catawba for their own reasons. What Alex loves most about Catawba is the people. “The people here make this school feel like home. That was the first thing I noticed when I was here on a visit,” he said. Tatiana loves how connected and welcoming Catawba is. She said, “One thing I love about Catawba is how connected we are on campus, whether that be in the classroom, around campus, or on the field. Catawba has also been known for welcoming their students with open arms, regardless of where we come from or how old we are – which relays the message that anyone can do it! Ian loves Catawba because the professors, their contribution to the environment, and their engagement with the Catawba Indians. He said, “The professors to whom I have had the privilege of being a student of, have all been truly instrumental to my success thus far at Catawba. I appreciate Catawba’s contributions to the environment by lowering their carbon footprint and promoting awareness. I also appreciate their engagement with the Catawba Indians and respecting their concerns. This exemplifies what it means to be a good neighbor and citizen. Working together to make it better for all is important in my book.”  

Catawba has positively impacted Alex by allowing him to grow as a person and a student. He said, “Catawba has encouraged me to dive deeper into who I am as a person and student. Being at Catawba has exposed me to new interests and things that I may not have known about if I hadn’t chosen this school. Not only has it allowed me the space to grow in this regard, but also as an athlete on the field.”

Ian notes that Catawba has had a positive impact on his career, an influence on his children in pursuing their degree, and most importantly his confidence. He said, “As a young man, I was one who believed that a college degree didn’t mean very much except a mound of debt and never pursued it. I have always felt as if I had done very well in my career in IT. I have several certifications and a load of experience, which at one time was enough.”

He added, “As I began seeking leadership roles, I quickly learned I would get passed over for those promotions. My career seemed to have plateaued. At the age of 44, I decided to do something about it and get my bachelor’s degree. Since doing so, I have changed jobs and was hired as an IT Manager for one of the largest financial institutions in the nation, and last year was even promoted to Senior AVP. I decided to continue my education and pursue my MBA and I am looking forward to walking across that stage once more!”

“Catawba has created a cherished and shared experience between my family and I. Being that my brother, father, and I each attend Catawba College, we’ve almost learned how to navigate college as a unit.”