Catawba College's Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology inducted three new members on December 4. The new members are Benjamin S. Patterson of Rockwell, a psychology major; Jordan M. Greene of Oak Island, a business administration major and psychology minor; and C. Denise Grissom of Stokesdale, an elementary education major and psychology minor.

In a formal pinning ceremony held in late October, thirty eight Catawba College students and two faculty members were accepted into the Department of Teacher Education at the college. The ceremony, held in Hedrick Little Theatre, was sponsored by the Student North Carolina Association of Educators (SNCAE). Ms. Laura Ritchie, a 2011 Catawba alumna, shared remarks about her perspective on teaching and a reception followed in the Peeler Crystal Lounge.

The 1st Annual Catawba College Honor Choir Festival will be held Friday, January 4th, 2013 on Catawba's campus. The more than 150 seventh through twelfth grade students that have been selected from participating schools across North Carolina will rehearse throughout the day and will offer an evening performance at 7 p.m. in the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, chair of and an associate professor of history and politics at Catawba was recently interviewed by WSOC-TV and News14 Carolina to discuss South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint's resignation announcement.

Catawba welcomed a new Director of Retention and Academic Support Services in September. Andie Overbeck Lynch '06 filled the position and will focus on ensuring that students progress in their college experience without academic or social difficulties.

During this holiday season, we pause to reflect on all the wonderful memories of holidays and Christmases gone by. We invite you to catch a glimpse of some of the favorite holiday memories from the Catawba College community. We hope these special moments bring you additional warmth and joy this holiday season. View Catawba's 2012 holiday e-card below...

Longtime Catawba College religion and philosophy faculty member, Dr. J. Daniel Brown, was honored at the college on Dec. 6 when his book collection was dedicated. The J. Daniel Brown Book Collection will be housed in room 312 of Hedrick Administration Building, a small, intimate seminar room with a large built-in bookcase. A commemorative plaque, describing the collection and including a photo of Dr. Brown, is displayed on the door into room 312.

Students in Dr. Julie Chamberlain's First Generation First Year Seminar (FYS) Class at Catawba College this fall, "FIRST!," were uniquely suited to consider their seminar topic. They all are first-generation college students, including their professor, a first generation college graduate, and they pondered "What does it mean to be first?" in the context of their class.

Senior Justin Smith of Greensboro says he wants to keep maximizing his options in the future if possible, and when he made a decision late during fall semester to attend medical school, he felt it was "the right one – the one that will be of the most benefit to me." The pre-med student, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry, had plenty of options open to him as he entered his final spring semester at Catawba. That was thanks in large part to opportunities he created for himself.

By Raven Canty ’13 of Seagrove, N.C. - It's that time again, when students are studying for final exams. They are pulling out all of their notes from their classes and starting study groups. It's also the time when students are stressed the most. There are some steps, as a student myself, that I take so as not to stress as much or at all. Here are the things I always try to do...

Associate Professor of Political Science and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer will be featured this week on the "Carolina Business Review: Election Debrief" segment. Air dates/times below...

By Raven Canty ’13 of Seagrove, N.C. - For many seniors in college, their last year is pretty easy but for some that like to add a little more in the place of where they have nothing to do. I was one of those who added more, one being the president/ leader some clubs. And running a club can be very complicated between running meeting to setting up an event. Now that I have been leading for some time I have started to lead by some simple standards...

by Frances Livesay and Guy Rich, Class of 1961 - Recently Guy & I looked at the calendar and realized that if we were ever going to see Alaska, it was time to go. Off we went to AAA Travel Agency for maps and tour books and a "pep talk" from a AAA rep. He was excited about the trip and did a good sell job.

Catawba College has announced that Curtis Walker, a former All-American player for the Indians, has accepted the position of head football coach. The announcement was made today by Brien Lewis, Catawba's president. Walker, defensive coordinator at Western Carolina University since last January, follows Chip Hester, who resigned on Nov. 16 after 11 seasons. Hester will remain at Catawba as Director of Athletic Development, replacing Gordon Kirkland who is retiring at the end of December.