Ladies Night has become a fixture as part of Blue-White Weekend and this year is no exception. It will be held Friday, March 30th at 6 pm (not the usual 7 pm) in Kirkland Lobby of Goodman Gymnasium. The first portion of the evening will be ideas for home entertaining entitled "Tricks, Treats,Tastes and Tablescapes" with Tippie Miller and Linda White sharing what works best for them.

When Independence High School's production of "Grease" opens next weekend, drama teacher Paula Baldwin will have come full circle. Baldwin got her start in acting at Mount Pleasant High School in Cabarrus County, and attended Catawba College on a drama scholarship. After earning her MFA in acting and directing at UNC Greensboro, she headed to New York City, where she lived and worked for eight years.

By Katie Scarvey, salisburypost.com - Jasika Nicole, a Catawba College alum who plays a regular character on the science fiction TV drama "Fringe," will be the focus of the show’s upcoming episode. Nicole plays Astrid Farnsworth, the lab assistant of the scientist Walter (played by John Noble).

Noting that only two higher education institutions in the Carolinas were selected to receive a prestigious Duke Energy 2011 Power Partner Award, Catawba College President Joseph B. Oxendine accepted Catawba's award during a Jan. 25 luncheon hosted by Duke Energy on campus. Oxendine explained that Catawba College and Clemson University were the only two higher education institutions tapped for the awards.

Four members will be inducted into the Catawba College Athletic Training Hall of Fame on Feb. 18. The induction of the Class of 2012 will take place between noon and 2 p.m. in Peeler Crystal Lounge of the Robertson College-Community Center on campus. The inductees are (with graduation year): Jim Bradley '86 of Mebane; John Lukowski '92 of Irmo, S.C. ; Angela Shirk Sneed '93 of Mooresville; and Jeff Tucker '90 of Jensen Beach, Fla.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Bobby Lomax '56 graduated from Catawba College, majoring in biology and chemistry as part of his premed studies) by Mark Wineka, SalisburyPost.com - As he marks his 50th year as a Salisbury dentist, Dr. Bobby Lomax still has a way with patients. "I've just always had a good feeling, being in his hands," says Ronald Moose, who went to Lomax for more than four decades. "He just made you feel comfortable, which is not easy."

The Catawba Conservation Camp, a summer camp that teaches middle school girls about the importance of conserving and protecting the natural environment, will continue operating this summer, thanks to a $25,000 Ribbon of Hope grant. In late 2011, the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation's Board of Directors awarded the Ribbon of Hope grant to Catawba College to continue its Catawba Conservation Camp or C3 that began in 2009 with funding provided by a three-year grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.

Catawba College was among businesses, colleges and school systems throughout Duke Energy's service territory chosen as a 2011 Power Partner Award recipient. Since 1993, the program has recognized customers who share Duke Energy's commitment to strategic energy solutions and economic development.Catawba was selected because of its participation in Duke Energy's Smart Metering and SmartBuilding Advantage programs.

The annual Blue-White Spring Football game is set for 10:00am on Saturday, March 31, 2012. Come and watch the 2012 Indian squad as they begin the road back from last season's disappointing year. A lot of young players got their first taste of Division II football last fall and will be much improved as a result.

Please join us for a memorial service honoring the life of our friend Louise Tucker who passed away on December 18th. The service will take place on Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus. A 1944 graduate of Catawba College, she went to work for the College where she served as secretary to the registrar, associate registrar and assistant to the vice president for planning and academic services. She retired in 1986.