"Don't be afraid to fail and if you do fail, try again, but do it strategically," North Carolina Governor Patrick L. McCrory '78 told an audience of graduates and their families and friends at Catawba College's 10 a.m. Commencement Exercise on May 11. Showing off a pair of red boxing gloves given to him by his friend George Foreman, the former Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, McCrory relayed a story about his own failure to win the North Carolina gubernatorial election in 2008.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on WFAE discussing the North Carolina GOP Leaders' plan to cut and expand taxes. Bitzer said it is an ambitious plan. "In conjunction with the budget, with voter I.D., with a lot of other big-ticket items that Republicans campaigned on, this is probably going to be the most controversial and biggest hurdle that they're going to have to try and get through if they want...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles concerning current political issues. Read the articles...

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.

A group of students from the "Politics & Public Policy" class went to Raleigh to speak to members of the media, legislative staff, lobbyists, senators, representatives, and the Governor to see the legislative process in action. During the trip, the students sat in on the opening sessions of both chambers and were recognized by the Speaker and the Lt. Governor, along with sitting in on a committee hearing to witness debate on the voter identification bill pending...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on the Charlotte Observer's website discussing the slowing of GOP lawmaking momentum at the halfway point and how well the House and Senate work together could determine how messy it gets. Bitzer said how the relationship progresses will help define the session.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on the WRAL.com website discussing Gov. Pat McCrory's plans to ignore peripheral issues, to stay away from legislative peccadilloes and spend time on his "Three Es:" economy, education and efficiency.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in a Winston-Salem Journal Journal article discussing Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx's decision to not run for re-election. Bitzer said Foxx will have numerous opportunities if he wants to continue in politics.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in a WSOCTV.com article discussing how new local leaders might inherit divisive issues. Bitzer said that change is part of the job. "Those people that have risen to that level generally know this is the way that business works," he said.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several local and national articles discussing the proposed bill for establishing a state religion in North Carolina.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in a WSOCTV.com article discussing how new legislation might cut back on early voting days and voting locations. Bitzer said it could be an attempt at saving money.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in a WBTV.com article discussing the difference in freedoms state-to-state. A new study from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has ranked the states based on freedom. According to the study, people in South Carolina have significantly more freedom than people in North Carolina because there is less government oversight and regulation in South Carolina.

A new endowed scholarship established at Catawba College memorializes Anna Katherine Gregory Vance, a 2003 alumna who died in April 2011. The Scholarship was established by her husband, Dr. Shawn L. Vance of Kannapolis.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on The Daily Tarheel website discussing the City of Charlotte's dispute with the City of Raleigh over funding for transportation projects.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in the following recent articles about current political topics. Read the articles...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on the WCNC.com website. Bitzer discussed Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who has been outspoken in his support for a ban on assault weapons and high-magazine clips but has declined to join the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Read the full story...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured on the CharlotteObserver.com website regarding the possible influence of N.C. Republicans on a future GOP blueprint.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured on the SalisburyPost.com website. The article featured the following excerpt from a blog that Bitzer wrote for "The Party Line" political blog at www.wfae.org: When the North Carolina General Assembly gaveled the two chambers into session, the leaders of the House and Senate took to their respective podiums to deliver their outlook on the upcoming biennium session...

by Nathan Hardin, Salisbury Post - As Gov. Pat McCrory stepped back from the microphone after his inaugural address Saturday, an audience peppered with Salisbury residents rose to its feet. Hope, some later said, had returned. Thousands gathered around the Capitol building's south lawn to hear the second swearing-in of McCrory and his first official speech. McCrory, the former mayor of Charlotte, is the first Republican governor in North Carolina in 20 years.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in the following recent articles about current political topics. Read the articles below:

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in several recent articles about current political topics. Read the articles below...

An anonymous donor has provided funds to established endowed scholarships at Catawba in honor of four members of the Board of Trustees. The scholarships were created to recognize the contributions of Trustees Daniel "Dan" Bross '71 of Issaquah, Wash., William "Bill" Graham '83 of Salisbury, Richard "Dick" Seiwell '67 of West Chester, Pa., and Mona Lisa Wallace of Salisbury.

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.

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...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below:

North Carolina's new governor is 1978 Catawba College alumnus, Pat McCrory. McCrory, a seven-term mayor of Charlotte, successfully ran as N.C.'s Republican gubernatorial candidate, defeating Democratic nominee and N.C. Lt. Governor, Walter Dalton, in the Nov. 6 election.

By Lisa Thornton - Like most, Gary Freeze enjoyed "The Andy Griffith Show" in the same familiar progression as other Southerners: He laughed at its silly antics in his childhood, and reminisced like old friends when he revisited the characters in reruns as an adult. But for Freeze, a Statesville native and professor of North Carolina history at Catawba College in Salisbury, his views on the show don't stop there.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below...

Four individuals will be honored as recipients of Catawba College's Distinguished Alumnus Award on Saturday, Oct. 27 during a barbecue luncheon scheduled in Goodman Gymnasium as part of the college's Homecoming Weekend activities. The honorees include 1979 alumnus Michael S. Bauk of Salisbury; 1955 alumnus the Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Hamilton of Newton; 1971 alumnus Dr. Dolan Hubbard of Timonium, Md.; and 1951 alumnus Jack Ward of Mocksville.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured in several articles this week about current political topics. Read the articles below:

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent WSOC-TV segment regarding privacy concerns surrounding the use of smartphone apps in Presidential campaigns. Bitzer said the app is effective and important for Obama's campaign, the only one using an app this advanced so far. "It will probably be widely used as cellphone technology, smartphone technology continues to advance," Bitzer said.

Repeating third grade was the best thing that ever happened to the Rev. Larry Bullock. Bullock related the story to French Academy students on Friday as part of the History Makers program, a national archive of black leaders who visit schools to tell their stories and urge children to make a serious commitment to their own education and success.

With the 2012 election headed to a photo finish in key battleground states, Catawba College's Community Forum slated at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, will offer a timely analysis of this year's elections and what they may mean for the future. The event, to take place in Tom Smith Auditorium of Ralph W. Ketner Hall on campus, is free and open to the public.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent News14 article which discusses Democrat Walter Dalton hitting the campaign trail just one day after the first statewide television debate in this year's governor's race. While Dalton was talking education, others were talking about his chances at being the state's next top executive. "It would take, let's say a minor miracle to potentially pull that off. Stranger things have happened...

Pat McCrory, the N.C. Republican gubernatorial candidate, seven-term mayor of Charlotte and a 1978 Catawba College alumnus, stumped for votes at his alma mater on Thursday, Sept. 13. McCrory, accompanied by New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie, and other state Republican candidates and officials, spoke during a rally held in Kirkland Lobby of the Abernethy Physical Education Center on campus.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently commented on the impact of young voters, whose enthusiasm helped propel President Obama's win four years ago. Although a recent poll revealed waning excitement among younger voters following dismal job growth, N.C. Democratic Party leaders and DNC youth delegates maintain a strong, positive outlook.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently commented on last week's DNC. Read the articles below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer will be commenting on this week's DNC and other topics during this week in politics.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in several articles this week regarding a number of popular political topics.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article from The Post & Courier regarding South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's selection for a prime-time speaking spot at next week's Republican National Convention.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, chair of and an associate professor of history and politics at Catawba was interviewed by WSOC-TV recently to discuss the Republican National Convention co-chairwoman's visit to Charlotte.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent News & Observer article regarding Mitt Romney's visit to Charlotte to raise money for his GOP presidential campaign which needs North Carolina to retain the possibility of a victory in the November election.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent Charlotte Observer article regarding where the donations to the two men running for governor geographically fall in North Carolina. "With a candidate from the western part of the state (Dalton), it's going to be interesting to see how he makes inroads in the I-95 corridor where McCrory has been living for the last four years," said Bitzer.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured by News14 Carolina commenting on concern for the current economic climate."Gridlock is going to be with us because they're not going to have 60 votes in the Senate," said Bitzer. "Things are going to continue to come to a standstill and that's only going to create more uncertainty for the business community."

With the beginning of the new semester at Catawba College, the Class of 2016 will have a new major to welcome them to campus. Recently, the Catawba faculty approved a bachelor's degree in the "administration of justice" for Catawba students interested in professional opportunities in local, state, and federal governments, along with within private businesses and organizations.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer provides perspectives on the selection of US Rep. Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate for the presidential election. View Bitzer's video below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent segment on WFAE 90.7 discussing next month's Democratic National Convention and the November election.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article from The Post and Courier discussing South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's increased use of social media as her go-to political tool. Bitzer says Haley's posts are a way to bypass the traditional media and "speak directly to her people."

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent AP article discussing the readiness of the City of Charlotte's police department in the case that crowd control is needed at the upcoming DNC convention. "The city's landscape and the close proximity of the major convention venues will help security," Bitzer said.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor emeritus of political science at Catawba College, recently had an article published in the "Indian Yearbook of International Law & Policy 2010-2011, Volume II." Silverburg’s article was titled "The Contravention of Consistency: Indian Foreign Policy Toward Israel."

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, chair of and an associate professor of history and politics at Catawba, joined Scott Huffmon of Winthrop University on Capital Tonight to talk about Southern politics. Watch the video segment below...

Andrew Tamer, a 2011 Catawba College alumnus, has been named as Associate Editor of Charlotte's Access to Justice Journal for the upcoming school year. Andrew graduated with a degree in Political Science, double-majoring in Pre-Law and International Relations and minoring in Economics. He is currently attending the Charlotte School of Law.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently appeared on a RadioExiles.com segment to discuss the recent Obamacare ruling and what it means for politics and public health. Listen to the segment below...

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on the HuffingtonPost.com website regarding the costly inter-party battle in the North Carolina Republican primary. "It is a battle within the Republican Party," said Bitzer. "It is basically the establishment Republicans versus the Tea Party faction. I literally think it's anybody's ball game."

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on the CharlotteObserver.com website. The topic was the recent political equivalent of a civil war centered around the the 8th Congressional District race.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer provides a little bit about the history of the vice presidency and modern vice presidents, along with some perspective on who Mitt Romney may select for his running mate. View Bitzer's video on YouTube @CatawbaPolitics below...

Dr. Gary Freeze, Catawba College professor of history and a recognized expert on North Carolina history, will be featured on WFAE's "Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins" on July 11 to discuss the late Andy Griffith's legacy and impact. The segment will be devoted to the famous North Carolinian from Mayberry. The show can be heard at 9:00 a.m. on WFAE (90.7 FM) and will also be streamed on the WFAE.org website.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on the Centre Daily Times website. The topic of the article was the Democratic Party feud that emerged recently as African-American backers of U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell pulled their support after his decision not to endorse President Barack Obama and his plan to vote to repeal the health care law.

Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently appeared on a WSOC-TV segment regarding political campaigns which are aiming to capitalize on the June 2012 jobs data.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on The Post and Courier's website. The article discussed U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-Greenville, who has announced plans to transform a fund he's used to back insurgent GOP Senate candidates into a super political action committee — known as a "super PAC."

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, chair of and an associate professor of history and politics at Catawba, says the June 28 U.S. Supreme Court decision on President Barack Obama's health care law "turned out to be a definitive legal and policy victory for the President, but perhaps a political victory for the Republicans in the long run."

Political expert and Catawba College professor of politics Dr. J. Michael Bitzer will be offering insight on the U.S. Supreme Court's health care decision today, June 28, at 10:00 a.m. Tune in to the News 14 Carolina website, which will be streaming LIVE COVERAGE.

Catawba College alumnus and trustee, Daniel Bross '71 of Seattle, Wash., who serves as Microsoft's Senior Director Corporate Citizenship, was included in "Treasury & Risk" magazine's annual "100 Most Influential People in Finance" list for 2012. The 2012 list focuses on CFOs, treasurers and risk managers who impacted the world of finance and treasury this year.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on the CharlotteObserver.com website. The article discussed the emerging dynamic between Phil Berger and Thom Tillis.

Catawba College alumnus Kevin Leonard, lobbyist for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, was promoted to deputy director. Leonard will share the deputy director title with Patrice Roesler. Leonard has been with the association since 2009 and has worked for Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice and for the state Department of Labor as a lobbyist. Leonard graduated from Catawba in 1995 with a degree in Political Science.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on the NewsObserver.com website. The article discussed N.C. Rep. David Price's newly unveiled legislation that would restructure financing of presidential elections by substantially increasing the public tax dollars used to match private contributions.

On the June 20 edition of News14 Carolina's Capital Tonight, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer and James Kotecki discuss the polarization of politics in America, and Larry Shaheen and Dan McCorkle duke it out in our Quick Takes Section.

In a recent News14 Carolina interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on North Carolina's unemployment rate, which was 9.4 percent in May, well above the national average of 8.2 percent. "Realistically they need the unemployment rate to continue to go down," Bitzer says, "Holding steady or even increasing a little is really going to be problematic."

In a recent News14 Carolina interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the advertising battle that is just beginning over two hotly contested congressional seats in North Carolina. "The airwaves are just going to be completely over taken by campaign commercials," Bitzer says.

Catawba College will host the 73rd annual session of Tar Heel Boys' State June 17-23. This is the ninth consecutive year that the weeklong event has been held on campus and approximately 300 participants, all rising high school seniors from North Carolina, are expected. Notable state leaders traditionally speak at sessions during Tar Heel Boys' State. Past speakers have included the N.C. governor and lieutenant governor, the N.C. attorney general and secretary of state...

In a recent WSOC-TV interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the effect of the second month in a row of meager job gains to the stock market and experts' optimism.

2007 Catawba alumna Lauren Ebersole of Hagerstown, Md., recently wrapped up her 27-month stint as a Peace Corps volunteer in Indonesia. Read about her final goodbyes and about the adventures she shared while being posted there...

In a recent WSOC-TV interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the early negative ads in the North Carolina Governor's race.

Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was featured in a recent article on The New York Times website. The topic was the effect of President Obama's self-described "evolution" on same-sex marriage that appears to be catalyzing an early similar shift among African-Americans.

In a recent WSOC-TV interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the role the state delegates will play at the Democratic National Convention. Watch the video below...

In a recent WSOC-TV interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the fundraising group that is taking corporate money for the DNC. Watch the video below...

By Karissa Minn, salisburypost.com - A local political analyst says that while he wasn't surprised that Amendment One passed, figuring out who voted for it and why is more complicated than it seems. Michael Bitzer, political science professor at Catawba College, said no exit polls from Tuesday's election show how voters made their choice. But the political and religious makeup of North Carolina and Rowan County could help explain it.

A 1956 Catawba College alumnus and six-time U.S. Ambassador, William Lacy Swing, received the O.B. Michael Award for 2012 at the college's 10 a.m. commencement exercise on May 12. Swing, a native of Lexington, N.C., has enjoyed a long career at the U.S. Department of State, serving as a six-time ambassador and managing some of the largest diplomatic missions and foreign development and humanitarian aid programs in two hemispheres.

After a busy week in North Carolina politics with several hot topics, Catawba College professor of politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was interviewed and featured by a number of local media outlets. Read Bitzer's comments and the full stories below...

North Carolina's most crowded congressional primary has been marked by personal attacks, calls to dismantle government, a detour into the "birther" controversy and one of the biggest self-funded campaigns in the country. And that's just the opening round. With 10 Republicans on the ballot, Tuesday's 9th District primary is almost certainly headed to a July 17 runoff. "I would be shocked if we don't," says Michael Bitzer, a political scientist at Catawba College...

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer welcomes visitors to his "ivory tower," the third-floor office in the stone tower of Catawba College’s Hedrick Administration Building. Layers of neatly spaced term papers are on his desk, waiting to be read and graded. The whole wall behind him is filled with books on politics, history, sports and law — virtually all of which he has read.

Dr. Michael Bitzer, associate professor of politics and history at Catawba College, was an invited speaker at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce's "Redistricting 101" public forum. Speaking to 40 business leaders, Bitzer described the process of redistricting in North Carolina, as well as his analysis of how the new district lines may impact the composition of the North Carolina General Assembly and the congressional delegation from the state.

Dr. Michael Bitzer, Associate Professor of Politics and History at Catawba College, was an invited respondent to The University of Georgia's Future Faculty Program Conference held recently at Sapelo Island, Ga. During the conference, sponsored by UGA's Center for Teaching and Learning, Bitzer worked with doctoral students in their career preparations for teaching and serving as future faculty.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and political expert at Catawba College, was one of four area political analysts to share their reactions to Wednesday's gubernatorial debate.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics at Catawba College, was recently featured in an article on newsobserver.com. The topic of the article was the prospect of North Carolina changing its House delegation from a Democratic majority to a Republican super-majority and how a current scandal involving sexual harassment allegations comes into play.

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - The last few months have been flying. The beginning of March was my close of service conference. Mostly three days being spoiled in a very nice hotel with good food and good friends. And also futsal and tennis. I basically did not teach the entire month of March due to practice national exams for grade 12, mid-semester exams for grades 10 and 11, and final school exams for grade 12. I'm back to teaching now and happy to be so, although next week will be another break for

Catawba College, in conjunction with The Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, hosted several Candidate Forums on Wednesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 12 in Tom Smith Auditorium on campus. These forums were offered as a public service to the Salisbury and Rowan County community. Read recaps from the Candidate Forums by the Salisbury Post...

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics at Catawba College, was featured in an article on WRAL.com. The topic of the article was the importance of North Carolina in the marriage debate. Bitzer says the debate in North Carolina has a special resonance because of the prominence the presidential election will bring to the state.

Catawba College, in conjunction with The Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting several Candidate Forums on Wednesday, April 11, and Thursday, April 12 on campus in Tom Smith Auditorium. These forums are offered as a public service to the Salisbury and Rowan County community.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor emeritus of political science at Catawba College, recently had a paper accepted for presentation at the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research in Atlantic City, N.J., April 23-25. The paper is entitled "The Grotian Moment of Post-Intra-State Conflict: Accountability Process as a Normative Foundation of Jus Post Bellum."

U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5), whose new congressional district will include Catawba College and northern Rowan County in 2013, visited the Catawba campus on March 16. Accompanied by Todd Poole, her chief of staff, and Brad Langston, her constituent liaison, Congresswoman Foxx toured campus...

In a recent video interview with WSOC-TV, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer discussed President Obama's visit as part of his election strategy. With praise for a local company, local workers and a storied basketball rivalry, President Barack Obama's speech carried with it a healthy dose of political strategy, said Bitzer.

"When you have a sitting president — when you know who we're going to be re-nominating — it's a way to engage everyone in the process," Emmerling said. J. Michael Bitzer, a political science and history professor at Catawba College, called the approach smart and novel. "If you can sponsor, particularly here in North Carolina, a barbecue contest, that will create a lot of chatter on the street," Bitzer said.

In a recent interview with News 14 Carolina, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer discussed what candidate names will be on the NC ballot. Watch the video...

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - We are well into the New Year and I have not made resolutions because lets face it, it only sets you up for disappointment. I am trying to make my last few months worthwhile and successful. I spent New Year's in Kuta, Bali which is, in reality, a terrible place. But for a group of 20 somethings who have limited access to normal 20something activities, it serves its purpose, i.e. I was able to eat four burritos in three days.

As Rep. Fred Steen aims for a place in Congress, several people have subtly begun to set their sights on his State House office, including Democrat John Williams and County Commissioner Carl Ford. Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political science professor at Catawba College, was recently featured in a Salisbury Post article discussing the matter.

Nine-term Republican Congresswoman Sue Myrick is leaving Congress at the end of the year. She announced Tuesday that she won't seek re-election to North Carolina's 9th Congressional district, which covers portions of Mecklenburg, Gaston and Union Counties. WFAE political blogger Dr. J. Michael Bitzer discusses her career and what this means in the race to replace her.

The state of South Carolina recently filed a lawsuit challenging the Justice Department's blocking of the state's voter identification law, possibly costing taxpayers $1 million or more. The state has hired high-powered Washington attorneys and other contracted associates and paralegals that will receive high earnings. Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, Professor of Politics, was featured in an article on The Huffington Post website after being asked to share his thoughts on the topic.

The Salisbury branch of the English Speaking Union will hold a dinner program at the Country Club of Salisbury on Thursday, Feb. 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Michael Bitzer, Professor of Political Science and History at Catawba College, speaking on "American Politics in 2012."

Dr. Gary Freeze, professor of History at Catawba College, will be a guest lecturer at the 15th Annual Salisbury Confederate Prison Symposium. The event, which runs April 13-15, will move to Tom Smith Auditorium in Ketner Hall on the Catawba College campus on April 14. A series of six lectures on topics relating to the Salisbury Prison will be presented from 9:15 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Freeze will present an overall synopsis of the prison's history from 1861 to 1865.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political expert and Professor of Politics at Catawba College was recently quoted in an article by TheNation.com entitled, "How the GOP Is Resegregating the South."

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political expert and Professor of Politics at Catawba College recently commented on the negative approach of Mitt Romney's campaign ads. Polls show Romney heading toward victory in the Florida GOP primary, which is likely due to the relentless onslaught of negative ads attacking and targeting Newt Gingrich.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political expert and Professor of Politics at Catawba College was recently featured in several articles discussing the effect of Gov. Bev Perdue's exit from office on voting this May on the proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriages in North Carolina. Bitzer says the contested primary is a golden opportunity for those who want the state to remain the only one in the southeast without a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Catawba College will be among other area colleges, universities and community partners to collaborate as part of a unique educational and civic initiative related to the 2012 election season and the presidential nominating conventions. The program, called "49er Democracy Experience," was launched by UNC Charlotte and will offer many types of educational programming led by UNC Charlotte faculty and others from area colleges and universities, including Catawba College...

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, political expert and Professor of Politics at Catawba College was recently featured in an article by the Charlotte Observer regarding the possibility of two Charlotte mayors facing off for the N.C. Governor position following Gov. Bev Perdue's announcement that she would not seek re-election.

As recently as 2004, it would have been unheard of for the Republican Party to spend money on TV ads in North Carolina this early in the election season. The state was a shoo-in for Republican presidential candidates. "I mean it was basically a true part of the Republican Southern base," says Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor emeritus of political science at Catawba College, authored a chapter included in a 2011 book published by Cameron May of London. Dr. James Slate, associate professor of economics at Catawba College, will attend the annual meeting of the Academy of Economics and Finance to be held in Charleston, S.C., Feb. 9-11.

In a recent Creative Loafing Charlotte article, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on why Larry Kissell may be the political story of 2012.

In a recent WBTV interview, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the endorsement by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley of Mitt Romney for President. Watch the video...

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - It's that time of year again, and no I don't mean the cookie baking, present shopping, tree-cutting time of year. It's finals time here in Indonesia. I'd like to devote this email to explaining the test process, which is only slightly less complicated than nuclear physics.

In a recent WCNC.com article, Catawba College Professor of Politics and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer commented on the two N.C. congressmen who have stood their ground in the budget divide issue. Bitzer says Haywood County's Heath Shuler's role in the debate could serve him well in a conservative district. "He probably sees himself more as a bridge between the two parties," Bitzer says, pegging Shuler as "a classic, conservative-moderate Southern Democrat."

The recent big news was my trip to India to visit my dad, who was there for a month volunteering. I went with a fellow volunteer named Samantha. The first thing that struck me about India was its similarity to Indonesia. It is crowded and dangerous to cross the street, it is dirty and there is so much pollution the inside of your nose turns black. Yet at the same time it is oddly charming and enjoyable.

The Cabarrus County Public Library will present "A Look at the Cannon Family," a lecture by historian and Catawba College Professor Gary Freeze, on November 10 at 5:30pm at the Cabarrus County Public Library. Freeze will discuss the history of the Cannon family, their business and cultural legacies and their contributions to the Cabarrus County community. This event is free and open to the public.

With much going on in the area of politics and voting right now, Catawba College politics professor Dr. J. Michael Bitzer has been frequently sought after to comment on these hot topics. Read the stories in which Bitzer has been recently featured...

Catawba College politics professor Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, who has followed South Carolina politics for two decades, recently commented on the questions raised by Gov. Nikki Haley's use of donated plane rides. "That's quid pro quo," Bitzer said.

Catawba College political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer spoke to WSOC-TV about the impact of the campaigns Anthony Foxx and Scott Stone have been running these past few months.

by Eleanor Link, Flo Breisch Peck, and Alice Funkhouser Carrick (1962 Alumni) - Three alumnae reflect on their 53-year friendship that began when they were Catawba College freshmen.

By Emily Ford, SalisburyPost.com - Discussion about Fibrant dominated a candidate forum Thursday at Catawba College featuring nine candidates for Salisbury City Council. Five incumbents and four challengers vying for five seats also answered questions about the Rowan-Salisbury Schools central office, public safety, a gay Pride event, economic development, the city-county relationship and more.

Associate Professor of Political Science and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently asked by Charlotte News 14 to comment on President Obama's visit to North Carolina and how the state's importance comes into play at the 2012 elections. Bitzer said that the suburbs are where the kind of "real battle" plays out. In terms of the rural vote, Bitzer says Obama has a long way to go. Watch video...

Hundreds of people waited in line outside of West Wilkes High School Sunday in hopes of getting a ticket to see President Obama. The president plans to stop at the school Monday as part of his three day American Jobs Act bus tour. Professor of Politics Dr. J. Michael Bitzer comments on the possible impact of the President's visit to areas in rural America on spreading his message.

Catawba College, in conjunction with The Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a Candidate Forum for the candidates vying in the Salisbury City Council election from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Tom Smith Auditorium. Dr. Michael Bitzer, associate professor of politics & history, will serve as moderator of the forum. All nine candidates running in this year's election have confirmed their participation.

North Carolina voters will decide whether to ban same-sex marriage in the state's constitution next May, rather than in the November general election. The timing has serious political implications. Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer says Democrats were in a tough spot. Without enough votes to defeat the measure, opponents saw putting it on the primary ballot as a way to "take the lesser of the two evils and see what happens eventually in the courts."

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - It has been almost two months since my last email yet I am having trouble thinking of anything witty or unusual to write about, so prepare yourself for the mundane. Year two of teaching is leaps and bounds easier than year one. First I am not coming up with completely new lesson plans every single time, but am working to tweak them. I understand the Indonesian education system better...

Catawba College Professor of Political Science Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on the IndependentTribute.com website. Bitzer was asked to comment on the topic of who will be chosen to serve out the term for for N.C. House of Representatives legislator Jeff Barnhart, who announced he would be retiring from the General Assembly.

by Julie Rose, WFAE.org - The two most likely candidates for North Carolina governor in 2012 are already raising significant money: Governor Bev Perdue's re-election campaign reports pocketing $1.3 million in the first half of this year. Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory raised just over a million.

In a recent webcast by CLTblog.com, Catawba College political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer joined Warren Cooksey, Dan McCorkle, and moderator Brian Francis in a discussion on how Mecklenburg County is affected by the redistricting in North Carolina.

What began as an adjustment involving five N.C. counties on Tuesday turned into a congressional map that jumbles districts across the state and pits four Democrats against other incumbents. Republican lawmakers had promised a ripple effect when they began redrawing their 2-week-old map. "That ripple effect turned out to be a tidal wave," said Michael Bitzer, a political scientist at Salisbury's Catawba College.

Dr. Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College recently spoke to the Charlotte Observer about his analysis of the new legislative districts according to the voting results from the last two presidential elections compared to how the state voted.

Catawba College Professor of Political Science Dr. J. Michael Bitzer was recently featured on the IndependentTribute.com website on the topic of the possible new representative Cabarrus County could gain in the N.C. House if the proposed legislative district changes are approved.

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - The past three weeks have been a whirlwind: 3 countries, 8 flights, 6 boats (including cruise, pontoon, glass bottom, semi-submersible, and row), 4 coach buses, 1 scenic train, 1 gondola skyrail, and numerous taxis, hired cars, and angkots.

by Michael Tomsic, WFAE.org - Republicans today released a map of how they plan to redraw voting districts for the North Carolina senate. The House maps are supposed to come out today too, but aren't available online yet. GOP lawmakers are in charge of redistricting this time, and have carved out some major changes to districts in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.

The plan for North Carolina's new Senate and House voting districts was due out Monday, but lawmakers said they have received so much input from voters and want to ensure that the map is easily downloaded, so they postponed the release date until Tuesday.

The recent release of preliminary proposals for the state legislative districts have made Democrats and civil rights activists angry. Catawba College Professor of Political Science Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently spoke to WFAE 90.7 FM regarding the redistricting. Bitzer says redistricting is a messy political process in most states, but especially in North Carolina.

Source: foxcharlotte.com - Game, money, and power. That's how political science professor Dr. J. Michael Bitzer describes political campaigns for the White House. "I explain to my students in the classroom on the first day, that politics is a game," said Bitzer. "And just like any game, you've got players, you've got strategies, and you've a court."

Catawba College professor of History and Politics, Dr. Michael Bitzer, recently spoke to WSOC-TV regarding the possible political impact of redrawing the voting districts across the state. "This is probably the key thing that will shape North Carolina politics for the next decade," said Bitzer.

LaQuon Rogers of Ayden was elected as Governor of the American Legion Tar Heel Boys' State Wednesday, June 22 during the week-long event held at Catawba College. LaQuon is a rising senior at Ayden Grifton High School. He is the son of Trymane Rogers and Alisa Barret of Ayden and the grandson of Julia Rogers of Ayden.

Catawba College professor of History and Politics, Dr. Michael Bitzer, recently spoke to WBTV on the topic of the flurry of new bills the GOP majority is scrambling to push through.

Catawba College will host the 72nd annual session of Tar Heel Boys' State June 19-25. This is the eighth consecutive year that the weeklong event has been held on campus and approximately 300 participants, all rising high school seniors from North Carolina, are expected.

June 12-18 will be the 72nd consecutive year of Tar Heel Girls State, and for the tenth year, Catawba College will host the weeklong session. At the annual event, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of North Carolina, several hundred girls from across North Carolina, all high school juniors who are academically in the top third of their class, will participate.

Patience really is a virtue and one I do not have in abundant quantities. However, I do think I am getting better. For example, last Saturday I had planned to give a test but was then told school was cancelled at 10am, right before my class. One of the teachers' fathers had passed away so we were all going to pay our respects.

The House Elections committee recently voted to shorten the early voting period from 18 to 11 days. The popularity of early voting has increased over the past few years. A recent study by Dr. Michael Bitzer, professor of political science, showed 60% of NC's 2008 general election ballots were cast before election day, up from 30% in the 2004 election.

by David Whisenant, WBTV.com - They were in elementary or middle school at the time of 9/11, but it is the major historic event of their lives. College students across the country and the Carolinas are now reacting to the death of Osama bin Laden, and the memories today's news brings back even for our society's young. "We ended up getting out of school early," Jeremy Gardner recalled. Gardner, from Concord, is a sophomore from Catawba College.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, professor of Political Science and political expert recently spoke to the Charlotte Observer regarding the GOP proposal that would cut a week from early voting and would also end Sunday voting and so-called "same-day registration."

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - Recently I have received a flood of requests for a new update, so here is the answer to both of those requests. Fun activities for you to try: For one week, oh heck for two days, try eating rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then let me know how many more days you want to do that. When you take a shower count how many small lizards seem to be staring at you.

Catawba College alumnus Pat McCrory '78, the former seven-term Mayor of Charlotte, N.C. and the 2008 N.C. Republican Gubernatorial candidate, visited campus on April 7. He spoke to students in Dr. Michael Bitzer's State and Local Politics class about politics and issues he has encountered running for public office.

Again this year, Catawba College students from various disciplines shared their diverse research projects during the 2011 Interdisciplinary Research Symposium held Thursday, April 21 in the Leonard Lounge of the Cannon Student Center. Faculty, staff and students on campus dropped by during the two-hour event to listen and learn from these students.

Former and current students, representing almost each of the 40 class years that Dr. Sanford R. Silverburg has taught at Catawba College, turned out Saturday, April 2 for a dinner to honor the professor of political science on the advent of his retirement. Silverburg, who joined Catawba faculty in 1970, will retire from the institution at the end of this academic year.

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - Much has happened since the last email so I'm not exactly sure where to start, what to tell, what to leave out. You don't want to read a 4-page email so I'll hit what I consider to be the highlights.

Source: SalisburyPost.com - The 14th Annual Salisbury Confederate Prison Symposium, sponsored by the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, will be held April 8-10. Every year in April, descendants, historians, and interested individuals gather in Salisbury to learn about the history of North Carolina’s only War Between the States prison and to exchange information.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, a professor of political science at Catawba College, has authored an article, "The Contravention of Consistency: Indian Foreign Policy Toward Israel," that will be published this spring in "The Indian Yearbook of International Law and Policy."

In the Feb. 26 edition, the Salisbury Post gave a “dart” to NC House Bill 64 (Senate Bill 47, co-sponsored by Rowan County’s state Sen. Andrew Brock (R-Davie)) to return judicial elections in North Carolina to a partisan election, rather than the current non-partisan election system. In the study of judicial politics, it might be helpful to know what researchers have found when judges are subjected to the “will of the people,” both in terms of partisan and non-partisan elections...

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, is one of the judges in the 2011 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. The International Law Students Association of Chicago, Ill. coordinates the competition, now in its 52nd year. The Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest moot court competition, with participants from over 500 law schools in more than 80 countries.

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - What follows is a random series of events that have happened since the last email. SCHOOL: The first month of the new year is almost over and like the last 10 has flown by. I'm zooming toward the one-year anniversary of stepping foot in Indonesia. Since the holiday I have been spending my time teaching and getting acquainted with my new students. I am teaching 5 new classes this semester.

Professor of Political Science Dr. Sanford Silverburg recently spoke to WBTV in reference to the Egyptian crisis and how it could impact our lives. Watch this Video on WBTV.com...

Students at Catawba College may not fully understand the protests occurring in Egypt, but they'll be much more aware of the situation should their wallets be affected. This was the consensus of a forum, "Insights into Egypt," whose members Wednesday night, Feb. 2, discussed the impact of the protests in Cairo. The event was sponsored by Catawba's Department of History and Politics.

Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer recently spoke to WSOC-TV following the win of the Democratic National Convention by the city of Charlotte. Bitzer said that strategy was the key in Charlotte winning the DNC.

Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer recently spoke to WSOC-TV about the local health-care challenge by a Charlotte area lawmaker. Bitzer said the bill may have no effect on health care, that federal law trumps state law and that the health care law passed by Congress will stand unless ruled unconstitutional. Read more...

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - 2010 has been one of the more interesting years of my short life, filled with more emotions than I usually care to feel or acknowledge. So here's the review of 2010: A year ago I was working at STAR Community, a residential home for developmentally disabled adults. While there I met and worked with an amazing group of people and learned that I might be capable of doing things I never imagined I was.

The old maxim, "nothing is more permanent than change," is particularly apparent in world politics today. Change is taking place on the global level, no less than on the national one. The nature of international relations is undergoing a quiet revolution. Globalization and the accumulation of economic resources are rapidly replacing the old conception of power as a mechanical force. At the next Catawba College Community Forum, Dr. Sanford Silverburg, senior professor of Political Science at Cata

A belated Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, filled with rice and chicken. If you close your eyes and imagine hard enough white rice still tastes like white rice. I was able to make the chicken taste like turkey, not that impressive of a mental feat. I did have a fleeting moment of Thanksgiving-ness. I went to a house warming party and I was sitting on the floor in a circle with a group of women from the village with a spread of food on the floor. For a spli

Source: WSOCTV.com - Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer recently spoke to WSOC-TV about the possible leadership changes for the Mecklenburg County Commission. He said politically it's all about getting five commissioners, a majority, voting the same way. If this situation plays out with Cogdell, it could give Republicans the five votes they need, even if they don't hold the majority. Read more...

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, recently participated in the 42nd annual meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association. That meeting was held November 11-13 in Boston, Mass. Silverburg chaired a session entitled "International Organizations and Global Governance" and was a discussant in a session entitled "Policing and International Politics."

by Lauren Ebersole '07. I am back to school and unfortunately not much has changed. After training maybe I thought I would come back and implement sweeping changes; not realistic I know, but a girl can dream. My first week back after training included proctoring mid-semester tests, which is difficult because the students cheat like crazy. On the surface it seems as if the teachers don't want the students to cheat, but there is no disciplinary plan for how to deal with it.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. So far I have been nowhere near any of the natural disasters that seem to strike Indonesia every few days. The latest earthquake and ensuing tsunami were on a different island and the volcano that is erupting is in Central Java. I apologize for the large lapse in emails and consequently probably a pretty low point in your life.

As poll workers opened the doors at 8 a.m. on Thursday at the Hal Marshall Annex in uptown, a line of voters had already formed. Thursday was the first day of early voting in Mecklenburg. Voter Sam Spencer was the first to get in line three hours at 5 a.m. "It doesn't matter if you're voting Democrat, Republican, independent. What matters is that you have a myriad of opportunities over the next couple of weeks to let your voice be heard," Spencer said.

Dr. Michael Bitzer, associate professor and chair of Catawba College's Department of History and Politics, will be one of three individuals who will sit on the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation's Panel of Political Experts on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the N.C. Farm Bureau Federation Auditorium in Raleigh.

Both 2006 and 2008 were Democratic years. Now it looks like the pendulum has swung back to the Republicans — or has it? Is the Tea Party really a "party" or a "movement?" Whether party or movement, has it filtered into North Carolina? What are the prospects for the U.S. Congress and the N.C. General Assembly? At the next Catawba College Community Forum, Dr. Michael Bitzer will present an overview of what the state and the nation experienced politically in 2008, what we could see in 2010, and w

Meet 2010 Catawba graduate, Shane Aldridge. While a student at Catawba, Shane Aldridge '10 of China Grove, N.C., double majored in Religion and Philosophy and Political Science with an emphasis in the American Political Experience. 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.

by Lauren Ebersole '07 - I am by no means an expert on Islam or its followers, but having lived in the country with the largest Muslim population in the world for the past six months, I am going to assume I have a little more experience than much of the American population. So now, please allow me to get on my soapbox in regards to recent events in the U.S. I am a big believer in our Constitutional rights, but the question is to what ends do we use those rights.

Catawba College, in conjunction with The Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will be sponsoring a series of "Candidate Forums" this fall for Rowan County citizens. The following three forums, to be moderated by Dr. Michael Bitzer, associate professor of history and politics and chair of the History and Politics Department at Catawba College...

by Lauren Ebersole '07. A day in the life of me during Ramadhan: I begrudgingly set my alarm the night before for 3:30 am so that I may drag myself out of bed for sahur, which means supper. At 3:30 am my alarm sounds and a few minutes later a voice comes over the loudspeaker of the mosque three doors down: "Sahur, sahur", the voice says. "Bapak-bapak, ibu-ibu, anak-anak, sahur sahur", it continues.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. Happy Fasting, although I'm pretty sure none of you are fasting. Ramadhan has started and I am giving fasting a try. Many of you are probably thinking how is Lauren going that many hours a day without food. It is not without difficulty. Thoughts of ice cream often pop into my head. Actually not drinking anything is more difficult than not eating. Note: I did not feel so great on Day 2 of fasting, but Day 3 went much better.

SOURCE: WSOCTV.com - A Democratic Party insider said that politics, not logistics, may determine whether Charlotte is chosen to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. A DNC site selection team is expected in Charlotte on Tuesday to look at hotels, convention space and security, but the final decision may hinge on something else. "When it comes to the location itself, it does boil down to politics specifically," said Mark Erwin, a former ambassador in the Clinton administration.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. I have completed the first week of school and well, it's a little different than what I am used to. I thought school started on Monday the 12th and my scheduling/planning/list making self was freaking out that I had not made any plans with other teachers. So I requested a meeting with my counterpart for the Friday before school started, which we had, but planned little.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. Happy Belated 4th of July. For me, it was just about the same 4th of July as in America ... a four-hour Muslim religious program where I believe I was the subject of more than one conversation between the 150 or so women in attendance. An important lesson I have learned: suede ballet flats from Italy and hand-made leather sandals from Greece do not stand up to the climate and conditions of Indonesia. Shoe-lovers everywhere are devastated.

Source: WSOCTV.com. Political Science Professor Michael Bitzer recently spoke to Eyewitness News anchor Erica Bryant about Charlotte's chance of hosting the National Democratic Convention. Charlotte, Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Louis are in the running to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority said the Queen City is an ideal choice because of its infrastructure, convention space and airport.

Jon Edwards of Jacksonville was elected as Governor of the American Legion Tar Heel Boys' State Wednesday, June 23 during the week-long event held at Catawba College. Jon is a rising senior at Jacksonville High School. He is the son of John and Barbara Edwards of Jacksonville, N.C.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. I ate kaki sapi ... cow's foot. The first two pieces went down ok, but man that third piece was chewy and I don't mean chewy like bubblegum. My host family laughed at me and offered something a bit more palatable to my American taste buds. My host family seems to be laughing at me quite often, which is ok because I am used to that from my actual family.

Catawba College will host the 71st annual session of Tar Heel Boys' State June 20-26. This is the seventh consecutive year that the weeklong event has been held on campus and approximately 300 participants, all rising high school seniors from North Carolina, are expected. Notable state leaders traditionally speak at sessions during Tar Heel Boys' State. Past speakers have included the N.C. governor and lieutenant governor, the N.C. attorney general and secretary of state, as well as distinguishe

by Lauren Ebersole '07. I am sorry for the huge lapse in emails to those who wait on baited breath and I'm also sorry to those of you who may not actually care to read them but feel obligated because I'm sending them from Indonesia. Here are some highlights from the past weeks in Malang, although I am no longer in Malang ... I'll get to that later.

June 13-19 will be the 71st consecutive year of Tar Heel Girls State, and for the ninth year, Catawba College will host the weeklong session. At the annual event, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of North Carolina, several hundred girls from across North Carolina, all high school juniors who are academically in the top third of their class, will participate.

Source: WBTV.com - Buzz is building that Charlotte is becoming a favorite to host the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Formal bids to the DNC do not go out until next Friday, May 21st. However, national reports say Charlotte is among four cities vying for the convention. Charlotte might be more attractive to the party because President Obama carried the state two years ago.

By Julie Rose, WFAE.org. Tuesday's Republican primary in the 8th Congressional District came up too close to call. Tim D'Annunzio and Harold Johnson will face a run-off election on June 22nd. The outcome for Democrats in the district was more predictable, but still held a surprise. Going into the Republican Primary, Tim D'Annunzio spent five times as much money on his campaign as any of his competitors. So Catawba College political scientist Michael Bitzer says D'Annunzio was bound to do well.

Associate Professor and political expert Dr. J. Michael Bitzer recently spoke to WSOC-TV regarding the eleven people in North Carolina are running for one U.S. Senate seat. WATCH VIDEO...

Source: WSOC-TV.com. North Carolina's 8th District is an unusual one. It's long and narrow, running along Highway 74 between Charlotte and Fayetteville. Political expert Michael Bitzer said candidates often find themselves running two races – one on each side of the district. "It's almost two different worlds," Bitzer, a professor at Catawba College, said.

"The energy level this year has definitely moved from the Democratic to the Republican side," said Michael Bitzer, an associate political science professor at Catawba College in North Carolina. "The Republicans are fired up across the state. In Kissell's district there are a number of Republicans running and all could potentially give him a run for his money in November."

Candidates for Rowan County Sheriff will answer questions and lay out their plans for the job during a forum Wednesday evening. The forum is April 28th at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Salisbury High School, 500 Lincolnton Road. It is sponsored by Catawba College and the Salisbury Post. All 11 candidates have indicated they plan to attend. WSAT Memories 1280 AM will broadcast the forum live. Access 16 will videotape the forum to broadcast later on TV.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. I would like to start this e-mail with a little story about differences in perception. This past Monday, my cluster taught at a different school, one in Batu rather than Malang. We were told the first class would start at 7 a.m. Unfortunately, we were not told there was a ceremony at 7 and that class would not actually start until 7:45, but that is not the important part of the story...

by Jon Rhodes '08. Where does one begin when recounting a story? Do I first start with our food exploits? I could talk about how we feasted on locusts, grasshopper and a local fruit called durian, a fruit that is illegal to eat on trains in Malaysia due to its smell and has been likened to skunk spray with a hint of sweetness. I could start with the elephant rides through the jungle. About how some places take great care of the magnificent creatures and then about how some places don't.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. Much has happened in the past week. Two Saturdays ago, I went to an Arema soccer game with a group of fellow volunteers. Arema is the team from Malang and also the best team in the Indonesian Super League. The stadium is outside the city in an absolutely beautiful spot with a mountain rising up behind the stadium. Not a great game of soccer, but a wonderful atmosphere with constant singing and dancing from the crowd.

by Lauren Ebersole '07. Based on responses to my last entry I feel a little pressure to keep up the quality. Prepare to be disappointed. I never should have led with squatty potties; I just can't top squatty potties. But here are some observations from the last week: Working at KFC [Kentucky Fried Chicken] appears to be as terrible a job in Indonesia as it is in the US.

Catawba Alumna Lauren Ebersole '07 is headed for her next great adventure and this one will last more than two years (27 months to be exact). She is on her way to East Java, Indonesia on a Peace Corps assignment to teach English to high school students.

By Elizabeth Cook, salisburypost.com. Rowan County candidates involved in primaries for the N.C. General Assembly and the Rowan County Board of Commissioners will participate in a candidate forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, at Catawba College. And Post readers have an opportunity now to offer questions for the candidates to field. Catawba College, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and the Salisbury Post are sponsoring the forum, which will be held...

Thanks to a gift from the estate of Col. Louis "Ike" Alpheus Green '42 of Lexington, N.C., a new scholarship fund has been established at Catawba College. Preference for the Ike and Vicky Green Annual Scholarship Fund will be given to football players.

James W. Gettys, currently Professor Emeritus of History at Erskine College, has spent a lifetime studying the history of southern soldiery. His doctoral dissertation at the University of South Carolina looked at South Carolina's role in the Mexican War, and his earlier Masters Thesis was entitled Mobilization for Secession in the Greenville District. Before his retirement in 2008, he held a number of posts at Erskine, including Dean of Admissions, and Vice President and Dean of the College.

By Susan Shinn, Catawba College News Service. What do mathematics, alternative rock, bats and the N.C. Transportation Museum all have in common? Students at Catawba College had summer internships related to these topics. Four students shared their experiences in a colloquium Oct. 29 in Ketner Hall.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of Political Science at Catawba College, will serve as editor and as a contributor for "International Law: Readings on Contemporary Problems and Future Issues." The new publication has been approved by the editorial board at Westview Press.

What would you want to ask Salisbury City Council candidates in a public forum? The Post is gathering questions for a forum involving Salisbury City Council candidates scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 in Hedrick Little Theatre. The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Catawba College and the Post are sponsoring the forum.

A gray moustache, a rose bud boutonniere, a black beret and an unquenchable passion for teaching are just some of the most remembered attributes of the late Dr. David Earl Faust who served for 38 years on the faculty at Catawba College. Faust, a professor of religion and history, was also known for his memorable greeting, "There you are!" which he almost always enthused upon seeing a student, a colleague, an acquaintance or friend.

by Cyle Petersen '10. After safely arriving back in Salisbury after a 9-hour train ride, which gave me lots of time to think about all I had done in the past 2 months, I thought it would be interesting to recap my summer to everyone else. My summer seemed normal while it was happening because it was roughly the same each week, but after leaving I have realized that I would never have had the opportunity to do all the things...

by Cyle Petersen '10. I thought with my internship at the Embassy running down, with only two weeks left, the work might slowly stop coming in and I would be sitting restless with nothing to do. Quite the opposite and I'm pretty sure no one in my department even knows that next Thursday is my last day because they have given me enough work to last for another whole month!

by Cyle Petersen '10. The end is coming near here in Washington, but the workload definitely isn't letting up yet. As my boss promised me, July would be very busy as Congress attempts to push through as much legislation as possible before the August recess. I have enjoyed it though because I have gotten to go to more and more hearings that are pretty interesting.

by Cyle Petersen '10. Monday morning seemed a bit odd because I hadn't gotten up early to go to work since the previous Tuesday, which preceded my 5-day weekend that included Canada Day and the 4th of July! Nonetheless, it was back to the grind for another week.

by Cyle Petersen '10. This week definitely would have to take home the prize for most fun so far. With two different national holiday celebrations in the same week, the celebrations were to be expected. Although there were many parties and celebrations, I did have to get through Wednesday night before the fun could begin.

by Cyle Petersen '10. After the first two weeks here in Washington, I didn't think it was possible to get any busier ... boy was I wrong. Week three left me with only minutes each day to sit and relax. This week I had a two hour lecture, two Congressional hearings to cover, a two hour morning seminar, a small group meeting at a local law firm, an all-day law school forum, a mid-term and a 30 minute group presentation to stuff into my schedule on top of my full-time internship and class schedule.

Source: Republicans Regroup After Sanford Admission (WSOCTV.com). Republican leaders are trying to reinvent the party in the Carolinas. They thought S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford was a step in the right direction. But now, in some ways, they may be back to square one.

by Cyle Petersen '10. After a much needed weekend off, Monday morning had come around again. It's always nice to have a few days off but I actually look forward to going to my internship every morning. The people are all so nice and laid back so it makes it fun to work there. I didn't have any work leftover from the previous week and my bosses were all pretty busy taking care of their overloaded e-mail accounts so I didn't do a whole lot of important Canadian Embassy stuff...

by Cyle Petersen '10 - I've now been in the nation's capital for exactly one week. It seems like I have experienced a year's worth of sightseeing, local culture, and the like already with very minimal rest time to even reflect on it. So here goes...

They come from a variety of backgrounds and teach at every level in the school system. Five finalists have been announced for Cabarrus County Schools Teacher of the Year. This week the candidates were observed by the judges. They will now prepare portfolios, and on May 6, the winner will be announced. Read more information about the candidates...

If you talk a while with attorney Franklin Smith of Elkin, North Carolina, he is likely to touch on five words that hold a very special meaning for him. In his deep, resonant Southern voice, honed through years of practice in the courtroom, he will probably explain exactly why these words figure so prominently in his life.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, was a lecturer at the 2009 Florida Chautauqua Assembly. The theme of the assembly this year was "A Journey into Africa." Dr. Silverburg offered three different lectures at the multi-day event: "Africa in World Politics Today," "U.S. Policy towards Africa Today," and "Why Africa is Important to Us."

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an associate professor of political science at Catawba College, had no idea that the textbook to which he recently contributed a chapter would be selected as the best textbook/primer in popular and American culture in 2008.

An oil painting of President Abraham Lincoln made a circuitous route across that country before arriving at its new home at Catawba College. The painting, given to Catawba by Salisbury newcomers Rodger and Mary Lindsay, was officially unveiled Feb. 17 during a college trustees' luncheon held in the Corriher-Linn-Black Library on campus.

by Monisha Smith '04. My inauguration experience actually began November 5th. Working in a U.S. Senate office, our office has been greeted by thousands of phone calls from people seeking swearing-in tickets. I was lucky enough to be in Denver with then Senator Obama when he became the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party and couldn't wait to see him become President Obama on January 20th...

by Alex Will '08. I always found it tacky when writers began their commentaries by exclaiming that "they didn't know where to start." I thought it to be a cheap way to introduce a piece, a cop-out for an inability to find a creative introduction. Maybe I felt that way because I had never been in a situation where I felt overcome by emotion. A moment so singularly powerful that words can't even begin to describe what you were feeling. I think I experienced that moment on January 20, 2009.

by Alex Will '08. I try not to make it a habit to start my blogs with a disclaimer, but I feel as though this entry deserves one. If you were hoping to read an entry waxing on poetically regarding the inauguration, well you came a day too early. That entry will come after I have had enough time to process what has taken place, and what I have experienced. Today's entry involves Alex getting up way too early, walking way too much and hurting in way too many places.

Source: "Charlotte Blogs" website (from Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins). Dr. Michael Bitzer, Associate Professor of History & Politics at Catawba College was a guest speaker on a panel discussion that took place Wednesday, January 21. The group met to discuss the first 100 days that President Barack Obama will have in office.

By Kathy Chaffin, salisburypost.com. When Alex Hartsell was a little boy, his parents told him he could be anything he wanted when he grew up. And he believed them. It didn't matter that he was African-American. What mattered, he said, was that he made up his mind what he wanted to do and put forth the work and effort to accomplish it.

by Alex Will '08. Have you ever been to the Plymouth Rock? Growing up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, I had more field trips there than I care to remember. But one thing I will never forget is that no matter what time of the year it was, one could stand next to the Plymouth Rock and hear multiple languages being spoken. People came from all over the world to see the place where the roots of these United States had been planted.

Catawba College students will watch the inauguration ceremonies and speech of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, from the comfort of the Cannon Student Center on campus. The College's Department of History and Politics has arranged for a widescreen television in the Leonard Lounge area of the Student Center with viewing scheduled to begin at noon on Tuesday, January 20th.

by Amanda Sowards '10. November 4, 2008 will always be a highlight of my life. As I grow older and start a family, I hope to be able to share my first time voting experience with my children and grandchildren when the day comes that they anxiously wait for and their voice can equally be heard as a citizen of the United States of America.

1978 Catawba College Alumnus Pat McCrory of Charlotte returned to his alma mater by helicopter on Saturday, Nov. 1st. The occasion was a Salisbury campaign stop for McCrory, the North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate, who is hoping to secure a win in the Nov. 4th Election.

The Catawba College Student Government Association proudly endorses one of their own in the North Carolina Gubernatorial Race. Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory, class of 1978, is an alumnus who served on the SGA while a student at Catawba. Junior Katie Hill, SGA Executive Vice President from Fayetteville, NC can’t wait for election day.

from "Political Polling has Limited Impact" by Jennifer Moxley, www.news14.com. Mike Caskey is one of hundreds of thousands of North Carolina voters heading to the polls early. He headed to the Rowan County Government Center late Thursday afternoon to cast his ballot.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, offered two lectures at the Chautauqua Andrews Valley Experience (AVE!) in Andrews, N.C. on October 13th and 14th.

Democratic Presidential Candidate, U.S. Senator Barack Obama, will be the country's next president, according to the results of a Mock Presidential Election held at Catawba College on October 16th.

In a special edition of the Catawba College Community Forum, the College, together with the Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will present candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly, along with candidates for the Rowan County Commission on Thursday, October 23 in Hedrick Little Theatre in the Robertson College-Community Center.

Catawba College students met and spoke to representatives from local, state and national campaigns during Campaign 2008 Day held Tuesday, September 30 in the Cannon Student Center. Representatives from the Rowan County Board of Elections, on hand to register members of the Catawba College community to vote, reported that 22 individuals registered – 14 from Rowan County and 8 from outside of Rowan County.

Local, state and national campaigns will be represented on Catawba College's campus during Campaign 2008 Day, slated from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30 in the Cannon Student Center. Representatives from the Rowan County Board of Elections will be on hand to register students to vote.

At a recent political rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama in Uptown Charlotte, Catawba College political science professor Dr. Michael Bitzer said the energy level there was “through the roof“ and that Obama hit all the key points for North Carolina voters and delivered.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, associate professor of political science and history at Catawba College, was recently invited to the University of Louisville's McConnell Center to deliver a public presentation on the 2008 election and the television show, "The Simpsons." In addition, he was a guest lecturer for a criminal law class and spoke on "Cinematic Crime: Using the Movies to Explore Law, Crime, and Justice."

In trying to read the tea-leaves of the 2008 elections, what can we expect on November 4th? Will it be more of the same (2000 and 2004) or something completely different? Who will show up? Where are the battleground states and races to watch? What will be the impact of November 4 on our political landscape? These and "other political ramblings" will form the topic of the first Catawba College Community Forum of the 2008-2009 academic year.

A book, "Palestine and International Law," authored by Dr. Sanford Silverburg, a professor of political science in the Department of History and Politics at Catawba College, will soon be available in softcover. "Palestine and International Law" is published by McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers of Jefferson, N.C. That company expects the softcover edition to be available by late 2008 or early 2009.

By Sara Gregory, www.salisburypost.com. Catawba College student Elizabeth Mae Edwards, 21, will represent North Carolina at the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship's first Student Congress. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole nominated Edwards, who interned in Dole's office during her freshman year at Catawba. Edwards is majoring in political science.

Two Catawba College Alumni from the class of 2008, Jon Rhodes of Virginia Beach, Va. and Aileen Thomson of Burlington, Vt., have accepted positions in South Korea working as English teachers (English as a second language) at private language school operated by Reading Town. The school is located in Jeonju (2 hours south of Seoul). The two begin work July 21 under a one-year contract at the institution.

By BRADLEY S. KLAPPER, Associated Press Writer. U.S. diplomat William Lacy Swing, a former U.N. envoy to Congo, won a two-thirds majority of votes from the member countries of the International Organization for Migration for a five-year term to be its director. The 125-nation agency, which has an annual budget of nearly $800 million, has been run by an American since 1969, and has long been viewed as a U.S.-dominated body.

Three Catawba College graduates were recognized during Commencement Exercises on campus for academic excellence. Two were honored as the Whitener Award recipients during the 10 a.m. ceremony, while one student was honored as the Barbara Andrews Award recipient during the 2 p.m.

from www.wsoctv.com. Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, Professor of Political Science, discusses how thousands of undecided voters could cast the crucial votes that decide which presidential candidate will be victorious in North Carolina.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science in the Department of History and Politics at Catawba College, recently participated in an internal conference organized by the Middle East Studies Program at Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbara, Calif. The conference, held April 18-19, was entitled, "Looking to the Future: New Paradigms and Perspective on the Middle East."

Catawba College will host the Rowan County Commission Candidate Forum Tuesday, April 8, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Catawba College, and The Salisbury Post, will be held in the Crystal-Peeler Lounge on the Catawba College campus. Catawba's Dr. Michael Bitzer, assistant professor of political science, will serve as moderator for the forum.

Catawba College's Catawba ONE organization will host a forum on international development at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 in the Tom Smith Auditorium in the Ketner School of Business. Topics to be discussed include various aspects of international development such as political, economical, and ethical issues.

from www.news14.com. Catawba College political science professor Michael Bitzer said writing off North Carolina would be dangerous, considering the state’s history of Democratic governors, several undecided super delegates, and an expected strong voter turnout.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an assistant professor of political science and dean of admissions at Catawba College, was recently featured on News 14 Carolina. Bitzer commented specifically on the huge impact that North Carolina will have and how it will play a pivotal role in the results of the presidential race.

The William F. Palmer Archives was dedicated to late Dr. William F. Palmer of Salisbury, a 1956 alumnus of Catawba, a retired faculty member in the teacher education department, and College archivist and historian.

Tenure for four faculty members was unanimously approved when the Catawba College Board of Trustees met Feb. 18 and 19 on campus. Trustees heard tenure recommendations from Catawba's faculty tenure and promotions committee.

Dr. Bruce Griffith, a beloved and longtime Catawba College History Professor, died Tuesday, February 12, at his home. A 1962 alumnus of Catawba, Dr. Griffith joined the faculty at his alma mater in 1964 after earning both his master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees from UNC Chapel Hill. At the time of his death, he shared the distinction of being senior faculty member at the college...

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, was a lecturer at the 2008 Florida Chautauqua Assembly, "A Journey into the American Presidencey," held January 31 through February 3 at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an assistant professor of political science and dean of admissions at Catawba College, has written a chapter of a soon-to-be-published book edited by Joseph J. Foy, "Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture."

By Hannah Mitchell, CharlotteObserver.com. For generations, almost everybody who grew up in the Catawba Valley worked in a mill, lived in a mill village or had relatives who were mill hands, if not all three. The manufacturing way of life that replaced farming molded the people, along with the economy, influencing standards of living, community and more.

Lauren Ebersole of Hagerstown, Md., a 2007 Catawba College graduate who majored in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations, is spending several months this spring in Ghana. She is working at a school in Abura, a small town about 10 minutes from Cape Coast along the southern coast of Ghana.

Posted by Schwineka on newsobserver.com. The debate Thursday was also something of a college reunion. Republican gubernatorial candidates Pat McCrory and Bill Graham both went to Catawba College, a small liberal arts college in Salisbury, and serve on its board of trustees.

Late in the fall, Catawba community got involved in the ONE Campus Challenge, so that we could send a representative to the Power 100 Summit. Thanks to the involvement of the Catawba community, we rocketed from over 300th place to 14th place in less than two weeks, and secured a spot at the summit.

Did white hunters kill all the buffalo? The answer, according to Dr. Larry Schweikart is ?most of them … but that is only part of the story that textbooks tell in trying to proclaim Indians as 'great ecologists' or 'conservationists.' "

Catawba Professor of History Charles McAllister was recently awarded the first ever Referee Emeritus Award. National referees Wade Brence and Michael O'Connell personally presented the award by the N.C. Volleyball Officials Board of the national Professional Association of Volleyball Officials. The NCVOB supervises the certification and training of collegiate referees in N.C.

Catawba students, staff and faculty banded together this week to take part in ONE.org's ONE Campus Challenge. Over 100 Catawbans have participated in the challenge this week, rocketing Catawba from 326th place to 40th in the nation in less than 72 hours. If the standings hold through the end of the week, it will make Catawba eligible to have a student representative sent by ONE.org to a three-day Power 100 Summit on activism and fighting poverty in Washington D.C. in the spring.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science in the Department of History and Politics at Catawba College, was a lecturer at the 2007 Chautauqua AVE! held October 15-16 in Andrews, N.C. Silverburg's lectures were entitled "The Perception of the United States in the Midst of Crisis and the Changing Attitude Towards Us" and "The United States and Globalization."

by Shelley Basinger (wset.com, 10/9/07). The countdown to local Election Day is here. We have 29 more days of fliers, TV ads and campaign events, as politicians fight for your vote. But on the Southside, the race for the 14th District isn't just a fight to win at the polls, it's turning into a war of words. Democratic challenger and Catawba Alumnus Adam Tomer has taken jabs at Republican incumbent Danny Marshall's voting record, while Marshall has taken aim at Tomer's youth.

by Denice Thibodeau (registerbee.com) - The race for the 14th District House of Delegates seat is heating up into what promises to be one of the most bitterly fought and contentious races in the region. Words have flown from the candidates and their supporters that include "misrepresenting the facts" and "misleading the people."

Almost exactly five years ago, Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, spoke at the institution's College Community Forum on the topic of American power as it relates to the problems of the Middle East. A lot has happened since then, most notably the military intervention in Iraq and the subsequent removal of Sadaam Hussein from power. How has that action affected the balance in the Middle East, and what foreign policy decisions will the U.S. confront as a resu

Catawba College rising senior Ryan Dayvault of Kannapolis, who is majoring in political science with a concentration in public administration, recently assisted officials with the N.C. Research Campus and Dole Foods in late July in distributing Dole bananas at the China Grove Farmer's Day. In all, 15,200 bananas were distributed by Dayvault and others during the event. Dayvault is shown here with Peter Gilmore, Vice President of Dole Foods, Eastern Seaboard.

Catawba College will host the 68th annual session of Tar Heel Boys' State June 17-23. This is the fifth consecutive year that the weeklong event has been held on campus and approximately 250 participants, all rising high school seniors from North Carolina, are expected.

For the sixth consecutive year, Catawba College will host Tar Heel Girls State June 10-16. Two hundred and seventy five girls from across North Carolina, all high school juniors who are academically in the top third of their class, will attend the 68th annual, weeklong session, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of North Carolina.

Could North Carolina become a prime player in the race for the White House? One state senator has introduced a bill moving the state's presidential primary up to February to be part of the high stakes "Super Tuesday" primaries.

Dr. Amardeep Singh, an assistant professor of English at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., will be Catawba College’s literary scholar in residence this week as he helps Catawba's first-year students further explore Khalid Hosseini’s "Kite Runner." "Kite Runner," Hossseini’s best selling first novel about coming of age in Afghanistan is Catawba's common reading selection this year for all new students.

World-renowned photographer Luke Powell, a native North Carolinian and UNC Chapel Hill alumnus who has traveled and worked extensively in Afghanistan spent a week-long residency on campus March 12-16. He exhibited his photographs in Peeler Crystal Lounge on campus, offered commentary in various classes, and offered several lectures focused on his own Afghan experiences.

Jointly, the Alumni Office and the Office of Career Services hosted Life-skills 101: Navigating Life after College, open to students of any class year. Twenty students accepted the invitation to learn about Personal Finance from Professor Al Carter; transitioning from "Backpack to Briefcase" and business etiquette from Marcia Miller, Director of Career and Service Learning; and enjoyed the grand finale of networking with the alumni association board of directors and two trustees, as well as lear

A "haven of peace and tranquility?" Afghanistan?! That's insane, you may be thinking, but then ... you haven't seen professional photographer Luke Powell's stunning photographs of this central Asian nation. Luke Powell is a North Carolina native and a 1969 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He went on to acquire a degree from Yale Divinity School in 1972.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, was a lecturer at the 2007 Florida Chautauqua Assembly held February 7-9 at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Silverburg's lecture was entitled"Migration, Immigration, and Globalization."

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor of political science at Catawba College, will participate this summer in the Vermont Law School's 2007 Environmental Law and Policy Scholarship Program. He applied for and received a full-tuition scholarship to take part in the two-week program at the campus in South Royalton, Vermont.

A new academic scholarship has been established at Catawba College by a Greensboro couple who are graduates of the institution. The Kelly-Cline Family Endowed Scholarship was funded with a gift from Ned and Linda Kelly Cline of Greensboro, members of the Class of 1964. Preference for the scholarship will be given to North Carolina students majoring in the humanities, with additional preference given to political science, English and history majors who demonstrate financial need.

School teacher Peter Stewart Ney was so beloved by his former students that several gathered around his sick bed in a western Rowan County home in November 1846. For years, people had believed the teacher was Michel Ney, a marshal in Napoleon's Army who fled to America after a faked execution by firing squad. As he was breathing his last, someone asked Ney to reveal his true identity.

Today the world faces a crisis never before seen on this scale in human history. All over the globe, human beings of all faiths and of none are wrestling with the question: what exactly is the proper role of religion in the public life of nations? Proposed answers differ radically, even within individual nations. In the United States alone, some would welcome a system where religion dominates all phases of life, both public and private, while others argue with equal fervor that religion has no

Globalism and localism will be the combined focus of Catawba College's recently merged Department of History & Politics. Much of the strength of this new department is reflected in its current faculty, most notably through the 40 years of experience of Dr. Bruce Griffith, the William R. Weaver Professor of History, who has encouraged his students to reflect on both the local and global aspects of history.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, a Catawba College professor of political science, has had a paper accepted for presentation at an international conference, scheduled Feb. 22-23, 2007 in Brussels. The conference is titled "Law and Economic Development: Towards Constructive Engagement in the Middle East."

Dr. Michael Bitzer, chair of the Department of History and Politics, offered commentary on election returns Tuesday, Nov. 7 on Time Warner Cable's News 14. He was featured in election updates that aired each half hour beginning at 7:25 p.m. and lasting until 10:30 p.m.

A candidate for local office wrote in the following question: Q: What impact do political signs (yard signs, billboards, etc.) have on voters? Is there a saturation point at which voters are actually turned off by the number of a particular candidate's signs? Do voters actually consider the type, creativity or number of signs when they enter a voting booth?

The six candidates vying for three seats on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners never mentioned their party affiliation Thursday night, but they all stressed their conservative credentials. "It doesn't matter what I tell you," said Chad Mitchell, the lone incumbent in the race, "What defines me is my actions ... my record."

Candidates for the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education weighed in on key school issues during a Tuesday evening candidates' forum at Catawba College. The forum, sponsored by Catawba College, The Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, gave candidates two minutes each to answer questions as well as the chance to make opening and closing remarks.

To say that the Democratic-led General Assembly spent a $2.4 billion state surplus like drunken sailors is an insult to drunken sailors everywhere, Republican State Sen. Andrew Brock of Davie County said Thursday night.

In a special, double edition of the Catawba College Community Forum, the College, together with the Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will present candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly, along with candidates for local political offices on Tuesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 19. Both programs will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Tom Smith Auditorium. Dr. Michael Bitzer, Chairman of the Department of History and Politics at Catawba College, will moderate.

The recipients of several endowed professorships were announced Thursday, August 31 during Catawba College's Opening Convocation for the 2006-2007 academic year. Dr. Michael J. Baranski, a professor of biology, received the Bashore Distinguished Professorship in Environmental Science. This professorship must be awarded to a faculty member in environmental science who is a high achiever as a scholar and teacher with outstanding qualifications and enthusiasm for his work and the students who are e

Members of the Rowan-Salisbury community are invited to join faculty, staff and students at Catawba College for Reflections: 9-11 Five Years Later at 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 11 in Keppel Auditorium on campus. Faculty members from several different disciplines will offer insights and perspectives and encourage audience discussion about world changes in the five years since 9-11.

This fall, Catawba will offer a new program, Leadership Catawba, tailored specifically to academically talented and highly motivated students. Students who are recipients of the prestigious First Family and Presidential Scholarships are automatically eligible to participate, while others may apply to participate.

Beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year, two departments at Catawba College will merge into a single entity. The Departments of History and Classics and Political Science will become the Department of History and Politics. Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an assistant professor of political science, has been tapped to serve for the next three years as the chair of this department.

Two Catawba College faculty members, Drs. Carla Eastis and J. Michael Bitzer, are participating in this summer's Wye Institute July 22-28 in Queenstown, Md. The focus of the institute, established in 1983 and co-sponsored by the Aspen Institute and the American Association of Colleges and Universities, is faculty development with an emphasis on the theme of "Leadership and Citizenship."

At a young age, Ryan Dayvault of Kannapolis came to believe that "there's no place like home." That mantra has helped the 20-year-old chart a course for his future that he hopes will take him into public administration and eventually bring him to figure prominently in leading his hometown to better economic times.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an assistant professor of political science at Catawba College, recently attended two conferences. The first was the annual North Carolina Political Science Association’s conference at High Point University, in which he helped to organize a roundtable discussion of North Carolina politics, presented a paper on Tar Heel voting patterns in the 2004 election, and was re-elected historian for the association.

A Catawba College student and faculty member served as official delegates to the Alpha Chi Region III Convention held March 23-25 in Wilmington. Senior Ray Porter of Salisbury and Dr. Charlie McAllister, a professor history, were the delegates, representing Catawba's N.C. Omicron Chapter of Alpha Chi.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, an assistant professor of political science at Catawba College, recently presented a paper at the 15th Biennial Symposium on Southern Politics at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor and chair of the political science department at Catawba College, was a lecturer at the 11th annual Florida Chautauqua Assembly held February 23-26 at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Silverburg's lecture was entitled "America as the Cop on the World Beat."

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor and chair of the political science department at Catawba College, will lecture Monday, October 10 and Tuesday, October 11 at the Andrews Valley Experience (ave!) in Andrews, N.C. Silverburg’s lecture at 7 p.m. on October 10 is entitled “Protection and Civil Liberties,” and his lecture at 2 p.m. on October 11 is “Culture Wars in America.”

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor and chair of Political Science at Catawba College, is writing an article, “American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC),” for the Encyclopedia of the Modern World. The Encyclopedia will be published by Oxford University Press.

Dr. J. Michael Bitzer, assistant professor of political science at Catawba College, recently participated at the American Political Science Association’s annual conference in Washington, D.C.

Catawba College faculty and staff members pride themselves on their professional accomplishments outside the classroom. Following are some of their recent activities.

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor and chair of the political science department at Catawba College, will lecture Saturday, March 5, at the 10th annual Florida Chautauqua Assembly held at the Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Silverburg’s lecture is entitled “9/11 to 2/2 and Beyond.”

J. Michael Bitzer, assistant professor of political science at Catawba College, earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs. Bitzer participated in commencement exercises at UGA this past Saturday.

Catawba College, along with the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and The Salisbury Post, will host two election forums on campus during October which are free and open to members of the Salisbury-Rowan Community. Both events will be held in Hedrick Little Theatre in the Robertson College-Community Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and concluding by 8:00 p.m. Both forums will be videotaped for rebroadcast by Time Warner Cable prior to the November election.

J. Michael Bitzer, assistant professor of political science at Catawba College, and Kiki Caruson, assistant professor of government and international affairs at the University of South Florida, Tampa, have co-authored a recently published study.

Catawba College History Professor, Dr. Gary Freeze, was honored in absentia during an August luncheon at the Museum of History in Raleigh for his work with the Tar Heel Junior Historians Association (THJH).

Dr. Sanford Silverburg, professor and chair of the political science department at Catawba College, will offer several lectures at Chautauqua’s Andrews Valley Experience in October in Andrews, N.C. He will lecture on “Threats to American Security – Domestic and Foreign,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11; “American Media – Fair and Balanced?” at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12; and “Trouble in the World and U.S. Policy” at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12.