Twelve Rowan Cabarrus Community College students have applied and been accepted as the first cohort of Noyce Summer Interns. Funds from a $1.45 million National Science Foundation grant provide monies to pay the tuition for these students to take a three credit hour online Education course through Catawba College and to allow each of them a paid summer internship in a STEM occupation.

There was celebration and remembrance at Catawba College's Commencement Exercises on May 11. Three graduates and one alumnus received awards during the two ceremonies, while one student who died just five credit hours away from completing the coursework for his bachelor's degree was honored with a special tribute.

Catawba College recognized three retiring faculty members at its May 11 Commencement Exercises. Drs. James "Jim" Beard, John B. "Jack" Green and Cynthia B. Osterhus '73 were cited for their contributions to the institution at the 10 a.m. ceremony held in Keppel Auditorium.

Catawba College's End-of-the-Year Luncheon for Faculty and Staff was a time to recognize 10 individuals who are retiring from the college this year.

The professor whom students call "Dr. O" was recognized by the students and her colleagues in the Catawba College Department of Teacher Education at a retirement reception held April 30 in the atrium of Ketner Hall. Dr. Cynthia B. Osterhus, an associate professor of teacher education and director of the Shirley Peeler Ritchie Academy for Teaching at Catawba, will retire at the end of this academic year after 10 years as a full-time faculty member at the college.

Members of the Catawba College community gathered in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on April 23 to celebrate achievement. The occasion was the annual Awards Convocation.Scheduled the day after Earth Day, the awards distributed were eco-friendly, made of Catawba blue, 100% recycled glass. They symbolized the college's commitment to environmental responsibility and are a reminder to the recipients to promote a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

by Sydney Smith of Salisbury, West Scholars Cohort '11 - Eighteen Catawba College sophomores and juniors who are West Teaching Scholars ventured to Charleston, S.C., to gain firsthand experience of the historic town. The April 5-9 excursion was led by Dr. Rhonda Truitt, associate professor of teacher education and chair of education department at Catawba, and Teresa Weddington, administrative assistant for Catawba's Academy for Teaching.

by Lizzle Davis, Class of '13 - Catawba College students pursuing careers in teaching participated in a free workshop on campus that will help better prepare them for their pending jobs. Catawba's Teacher Education Department hosted the Spencer Kagan workshop, "From Survival to Success: Essential Strategies for New Teachers" at the Center for the Environment on March 14 and 15 for juniors and seniors majoring in Education.

by Rachel Shelton (West Scholar Cohort '11). As part of its annual teacher of the year presentation, the Academy for Teaching at Catawba College welcomed the 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year, Darcy Grimes.

The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) will host a Regional Professional Learning Day on the campus of Catawba College on Saturday, February 23. This training day for pre-service and current teachers, as well as National Board candidates, is one of five sessions being held across the state.