Yolanda McClure '11
majored in Theatre Arts

2011 Catawba alumna Yolanda Kay "Summertime Fine" McClure of Eden, N.C., has been seeing of lot of the world in her new job with Disney Cruise Lines. Since July of 2011, she has worked on the Disney Magic, where she recently became a Youth Activities Entertainment Host. Her position has taken her to ports of call in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic oceans. She says her work requires long hours, but the upside is that she is in great shape and is happy to be working in a position that is so closely related to her major, theatre arts. 

Rebecca Chinnis '10
majored in Business (Accounting) and minored in English

One year after graduation, Chinnis earned a Master in Accounting from the College of William and Mary. She now lives in Washington, D.C., working for Grant Thornton as an auditor. Chinnis attributes Catawba's curriculum for her success, stating that it "provided the best education for which I could ask, which then allowed me to stand out among my peers when I went on to William and Mary."

Shane Aldridge '10
from China Grove, N.C., double majored in Religion & Philosophy and Political Science

An internship at the Rowan County Register of Deeds Office in Salisbury led to Shane landing a part-time position there after his May graduation. A scant two months after his graduation, his part-time position became fulltime as he was named Deputy Register of Deeds. Although pursuing a master's degree in Public Administration is in his future plans, Shane is currently enjoying his job and all it entails. Read more »

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT VIDEO: Shane Aldridge '10

David Idol '09
from Kernersville, N.C., majored in Biology

Idol is employed at the Center for the Environment at Catawba as an intern in the Catawba Energy Corps program. Idol also serves as an adjunct biology lab instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and is an owner/operator at his family's farm, Legacy Farms of Kernersville, N.C. He has served as an organics lab tech with Research & Analytical Laboratories in Kernersville where he did environmental testing.

Danielle Schneider '09
from New Castle, Del., majored in Spanish

Schneider is employed as a Spanish teacher at a private boys' school, Salesianum, in Wilmington, Del. While at Catawba, she was a student-athlete who played field hockey, served as a Catawba Ambassador and was very involved in Wigwam Productions, the students' on-campus programming organization.

Jared S. Kenish '09
from Glassboro, NJ, majors in Theatre Arts with a minor in Dance for Theatre Arts Majors

Kenish was accepted to the Graduate School at Montclair State University for a Master of Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Studies. The school in is located in Northern New Jersey just 25 minutes away from the wonderful New York City. After attaining his MA degree and gaining some professional credits, he would like to go further with his studies by working for his Doctorate of Philosophy in Theatre. Jared's ultimate goal is to become a college professor of Theatre Arts in order that he might be able to share his knowledge and love for the Theatre to the younger generations hoping to work in the Performing Arts.

Mollie Landers '08
from Williamsport, Pa., majored in religion and philosophy with a concentration in outdoor ministry. She will be pursuing a Master's of Divinity degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., beginning in the fall of 2008.

"Academically I've learned a lot about religion and philosophy but I've been able to take what I've learned in my classes and apply it directly to my life and my faith. I'm much more sure of the direction I want my life to take. I have a better understanding of the type of person I want to be, not just in my career but in my community."

David Thomas '08
from Winston-Salem, N.C., was drafted by the Oakland A's in the 14th round of the 2008 MLB draft.  He is now playing with the Vancouver Canadians (A League).  At Catawba, David played centerfield on the baseball team and earned the College'’s 2008 Kirkland Award for Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. He was the 2008 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and a three-time all-league performer. He set school career records for hits, runs and stolen bases.

"I came to Catawba on a baseball scholarship and being a student-athlete helped me mature, build my character, manage my time and learn to deal with situations and obstacles on my own. I learned to be a leader on my team and that thankfully carried over into my classroom work.

My goal in coming to Catawba was to earn my degree and graduate on time in four years. I knew that by playing baseball which is a year-long sport nowadays meeting my goal would be tough, but I was able to do it with the help and support of my professors and coaches."

Jon Rhodes '08
from Virginia Beach, Va., majored in religion and philosophy.

In 2009, Jon taught English in Jeonju, South Korea. Following his time as an English teacher, Jon pursued an M.S. in Environmental Science with a focus on water science and the integration of science with policy. He married his college sweet heart Aileen Thomson, a 2008 alumna, in 2012. Currently Jon is the director and founder of the NGO Green Communities Consulting, through which he gives pro bono environmental consulting to youth community development practitioners throughout Burma. Follow Jon's personal blog at www.dayinmotion.blogspot.com.

Read Blog from Korea »

Ryan Dayvault '08
from Kannapolis, N.C. He was elected to the Kannapolis City Council in 2011.

"The Catawba culture enabled me to become involved on campus very easily. Through campus organizations such as the SGA, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Order of the Blue and White, Political Science Association, Phi Epsilon Honor Society, and the College Republicans, I was able to serve in leadership positions in several of the groups, even with a 30-minute commute. The Catawba community invites all students, regardless of residential status, to be involved with campus organizations that all lead to greater fellowship and lifetime friendships."

Meagan Kittle '08
from Winchester, Ontario, earned a full tuition fellowship to attend N.C. State University in Raleigh, N.C., and pursue a master's degree in rhetoric and composition.

"Jumping into the various clubs and activities that Catawba offers allowed me to meet students I wouldn't otherwise have met in my courses or on a team. I felt like a contributing member on campus right from the start. I was also lucky to cultivate some great friendships and develop some important skills that I might not have learned in class. I feel that I got so much more out of my education this way!"

Shane Timmons '08
majored in history, played football and was a Catawba Ambassador during his years at Catawba. He is now employed as a 10th grade civics teacher at Randleman High School in Randleman, N.C.

"The education I received at Catawba will define me as a person and a professional.  I learned how to be a good man and a hard worker through challenging professors. I base my ideas on character, discipline, hard work, and friendship from the coaches, teachers, and friends I made in my time there. The well-rounded, liberal-arts education provided by my alma mater will serve as invaluable tool in my teaching career. I thank all of my Catawba family. Catawba will always be home."

Tiffany Cox '07
majored in theatre arts, is currently living in Chicago Ill. She has opened an African American Theatre Company called UPROOTED Theatre in Milwaukee, Wis. that does six shows per season. Tiffany also writes for an online newspaper called Examiner.com as their National Pick Up Examiner. Her articles from this site are currently being adapted into a one-woman show that will be taken to Europe in the coming year.

"Catawba gave me several opportunities to meld my diverse interests. I was able to practice Spanish by teaching Hispanic children choreography for a semester and the following semester I did an independent study on Theatre in Spain. Through such experiences, The Pacific Conservatory of The Performing Arts in Santa Maria, Calif. hired me due to my acting abilities and my knowledge of the Spanish language."