"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.

Students who want to make the most of their educational experience choose the Catawba College Honors Program. Our Honors program is unique for a wide variety of reasons. Classes are often team-taught by faculty members from two entirely different disciplines, often focusing on one question or topic from multiple perspectives. Students study in an environment that promotes creativity and critical thinking and the courses count toward your general education requirements for the college.

Students at Catawba College enhance their education outside the classroom and are involved in many multidisciplinary research projects. Catawba students are engaged in challenging and unique research experiences that emphasize current developments in biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, environmental chemistry and forensic science using state-of-the-art instrumentation. At Catawba, you'll learn science content in the context of work-world applications.

Experience the difference that is Catawba College. Come visit our campus, meet with our students, faculty and staff. See for yourself what the Catawba Experience is all about. Get a glimpse of the Catawba Experience in the following video...

Catawba College students shared their research with faculty, staff and other students at the annual Catawba Research and Creativity Showcase on Thursday, April 25. The event featured a wide variety of interdisciplinary research topics. View some quick quotes by the students about their research experience and a photo gallery...

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.

2011 Catawba College Alumnus Joseph "Joe" S. Manser is now a graduate student at the University of Notre Dame's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. He recently shared a video link to his research concerning assembling and testing quantum dot solar cells in the lab there.

By Sarah Campbell, SalisburyPost.com - Unlike most college students, Jeremy Gardner wasn't in line to buy a gigantic television or scoop up $3 movies on Black Friday. Instead, the 21-year-old Catawba College senior battled crowds at Kohl's to become the owner of a shiny, new griddle.

The residential life experience at Catawba College and the many options and benefits of living on campus. Watch the video...

The Center for the Environment at Catawba College recently posted an 8½ -minute video on its website about the 2012 National Environmental Summit, which brought high school students from across the country to the Catawba campus to learn how they could use their talents to effect positive change in the world. John Wear, executive director of the Center, taped a number of the summit activities and interviewed about a dozen of the participants near the end of the session last July.

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.

by Melanie Goergmaier '05 (Business Administration Alumnus) - Goergmaier recounts why she came to Catawba College and what has resulted from her experiences there. Watch this Catawba Story...

by Doyle A. Luckenbaugh '62 (Religion and Philosophy / History Alumnus) - Luckenbaugh recounts how Catawba faculty and staff came together to help him find the light at the end of the tunnel in the most desperate of circumstances.

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.

The Rowan Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Rowan Class of 2012-13 visited the Center for the Environment at Catawba College. Watch a video of highlights from the visit below...

Fifteen Catawba College music students performed at the 2012 Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, September 5th as part of a choir backing up American Idol finalist and singing sensation Jessica Sanchez.

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 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...

Members of the Catawba Pride Marching Band participated in band camp on Friday, August 10. The band is under the leadership of drum major D.J. Colson. Read more about Catawba Pride at www.catawba.edu/pride.

The Friends of the Corriher-Linn-Black Library have introduced a new "wish list" project to strengthen the library's current holdings with the goal of giving Catawba students a library collection to support their research, deepen their understanding of the world, and enable them to excel...

Catawba College alumnus Sheldon Rogers had an impromptu performance with music star Ingrid Michaelson in Lancaster, PA. A graduate of Catawba's Musical Theatre program, Rogers was in the front row at Michaelson's show and sang an unplanned duet with the New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter. He made quite an impression on both the audience and Michaelson herself.

Camp Invention, which features hands-on science and real world challenges for children, hosted the INNOVATE program on July 23-27, 2012 on the Catawba College campus. The camp immersed children in a weeklong adventure of creative problem solving. In this session, children built motorized creatures. View a few of the campers' creations below...

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...

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 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. 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."

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.

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.

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.

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...

Catawba College held its annual Awards Convocation on April 19 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel. Students, faculty and staff were recognized for various achievements. Watch a video of the presentation of awards and highlights from the service...

The Martha Kirkland West Scholars are students from both inside and outside of the state of North Carolina who have demonstrated leadership, community involvement and a strong commitment to teaching. The Scholars are so designated in honor of Catawba College alumna, College trustee and former Teacher Education faculty member, Dr. Martha Kirkland West of Salisbury, N.C. Watch a video of the Teaching Scholars singing the Standards Song...

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...

The Catawba PRIDE Marching Band is the recently reformed marching band at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC. The last marching band Catawba had was in 1973, and in the past five years they have been entertained with a drumline at football games and a pep band at basketball games. This year, visitors saw a marching band with a hornline, drumline, and colorguard, and all with brand new uniforms.

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 Carlisle Holeman Scott '72 - Scott recounts a very eventful Thanksgiving holiday while at Catawba. Watch video...

by Travis Allen '06 (Business Administration Alumnus) - Allen attributes his turning point at Catawba to former faculty member Dr. Andrew Morris of the Ketner School of Business.

by John H. Rapp '76 (Sociology and Psychology Alumnus) - An alumnus remembers two former first ladies (Omwake and Dearborn) and their impact on his time at Catawba and beyond.

by Peggy Wilson (Married to Biology Alumnus, Dr. Robert Wilson '62) - Wilson tells of the loyalty her husband and Catawba alumnus has to his alma mater. His dedication to Catawba is such that he has been at every homecoming, except one...

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 Allijah Motika '14 - So today has been really up and down. This morning was wonderful. My throat is still in a lot of pain, I wish that I'd stop being sick and my voice would just come back. But even with that I really enjoyed the session this morning on melody and harmony with Judy and Bobby.

Stephanie Cook is a senior majoring in Communication Arts at Catawba College. In the summer of 2011, she lived in Atlanta in the Midtown area and interned in the Sports Communications Office at Georgia State University, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. In what is Catawba's first student video blog, she shows what a day in the life of an intern living in a big city is all about! Watch footage of her complex journey to work, meet some of her co-workers, and...

By: Sarah Pisciuneri, News 14 Carolina - While most North Carolina colleges are cutting back in this tough economic time, one is expanding its music program. Salisbury-based Catawba College is calling their recent expansion an investment in the future. When the Catawba Indians hit the football field this fall, they will be joined by the Catawba Pride, a full marching band, something the college hasn't seen since the 1970s.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jean Wurster, a librarian at the Corriher-Linn-Black Library at Catawba College, is one of three generations of women in the same family to be a breast cancer survivor. Her mother, Doris Miller, and daughter, Liz, have also survived breast cancer. WRAL-TV recently covered their stories, which illustrate the advances in care for the disease for nearly 30 years...

Forty-two Catawba College students, members of the Catawba Singers, returned May 25 from a 10-day trip to Europe that included stops in four different countries. For some of the students, the trip marked their first plane ride or their first trip outside the United States. It was an eye-opening, life-enriching experience for them, and although their time abroad was brief, it will be memorable and likely viewed through time’s unwavering glass as a pivotal moment in each of their lives.

Awards Convocation was held at 11 a.m. April 14 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel and was an opportunity for the campus community to celebrate the gifts and talents of students, and the strengths and abilities of a few faculty and staff members. Video of the presentation of the awards may be viewed...

The second summer of the Catawba Conservation Camp (C3) came to a close in late March with a final follow-up science academy held at the Mary L Farm in Mt. Ulla, NC. Dr. Joe Poston, Associate Professor of Biology, shares video of the follow-up activities the campers participated in.

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...

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...

Catawba College has produced and will air several television commercials in select cable markets during the first quarter of this year. The 30-second commercials, which feature Catawba students as talent, will run during select programs on the cable systems serving Lancaster, Lebanon, York and Harrisburg, Pa., Roanoke, Va., and Jacksonville, Fla., markets.

The 2010 Cohort of West Teaching Scholars recently went on a retreat to Wrightsville Beach over Fall Break, October 16-19. As part of the retreat, they took an eco tour, did team and trust building exercises, and visited Wrightsville Beach Elementary School. They shared videos and photos of their experiences with us.

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...

by Stephanie Cook '12, Communication Arts Major. Students in the Athletic Training program work during a season football game and discuss what they like about athletic training, working with the athletes and in a team environment, and their numerous experiences.

Bill "Scotch" Shaw '75 is making his way from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Iquitos, Peru on his freighter canoe, the Lucky Suz. He began his journey on August 30, heading down the east coast of North America. He'll travel through Central America, Eastern South America, to mouths of the Amazon, then, up the Amazon River, to Iquitos.

Source: NFLNetwork.com. 1989 Catawba Alumnus Randy Brown was recently featured on the NFL Network. The segment aired on Saturday, October 16. Brown spends half of his days coaching in the NFL and the other half as a mayor in New Jersey.

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.

by Rev. John A. Denlinger '65, Religion & Philosophy Alumnus - Denlinger shares one of his fondest memories of campus life that happened unexpectedly during an evening program at the old gym.

by Vince Mizeras, John Little, and David McCoy (Class of 1965 Business Administration Alumni). Three alumni reflect on remaining friends, staying in close contact, and getting their families together almost every year despite the 45 years that have passed since their graduation.

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.

You can now watch video of Catawba's student-athletes after various home games on the Catawba Athletics website. Catawba Athletics also now has its own YouTube channel, which you can subscribe to at www.youtube.com/catawbaindians. Stay tuned there or at GoCatawbaIndians.com for various post-game interviews with the men and women of the Catawba Indians. Stephanie Cook '12, a Communication Arts major with minors in Spanish and Business Administration, is doing the videos as part of her internship

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.

Take a student-guided VIDEO TOUR of Catawba College! See and learn about our beautiful campus in historic Salisbury, North Carolina, including the 189-acre ecological preserve and 300-acre wildlife refuge. Hear from Catawba students and faculty as they cover topics including our offering of over 40 fields of study, our most popular majors, student life, the various campus buildings, extracurricular activities, admissions requirements, tuition and fees...

Melanie Hudson '12, a music education major, recently played in a horn choir session along with Dr. Barry Sang, Professor of Religion and Instructor in Music at Catawba. The performance was broadcast by public access Channel 21 in Mecklenburg County. Hudson and Sang are regular members of the Horn Society of the Carolinas group, which was invited to perform for the televised session.

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.

View highlights and presentation of awards from Catawba College's 2010 Spring Awards Convocation service. Speakers included Provost Dr. Rick Stephens and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Paul Fisher.

Experience various aspects of Catawba including academics, theatre, music, the preserve, science, sports, campus life, and students. Students and faculty discuss how Catawba offers real world education, getting the right fit, and how transfer students are welcomed.

Wait - What's My Promise? Not quite sure how "Our Purpose" is "Your Promise?" Learn how Catawba helps students achieve their goals both now and in the future. On a campus with faculty who care, students are made faster, stronger, smarter, and an overall better person in the world around them. Every student has a promise — and a promising future at Catawba.

by Lisa Easter '10, Music Business Major. Here's a video of the photo shoot process for my album "Welcome to My World," which was released in June 2009. The video features the first single off of the album entitled "I'm Not." This experience was a dream come true. I enjoyed working with the photographer Adam Minton because he captured my vision of the album perfectly. My favorite thing about the whole process was seeing everything fall into place.

Catawba Stories is now accepting YouTube submissions! Just send us the link to your story's video on YouTube and you're done. It's easy! "Catawba Stories" is about sharing the wonderful stories and memories of Catawba through a digital format. These stories are diverse personal accounts that hold great importance for the person telling them and can be anything from recollections to facts historical in nature.

View highlights and musical performances from Catawba College's 2010 Spring Convocation service. Speakers included College President Dr. W. Craig Turner, Provost Dr. Rick Stephens, SGA President Kevin Flebbe, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Paul Fisher. Musical performers include Chris Clowers, Matt Patrick and The Catawba Singers.

What does OPYP mean? At Catawba College, we're not just a beautiful campus or the ideal location with a great faculty to student ratio. We know that you've made a promise to yourself — a promise to strive, to achieve, and to become what YOU want to be. And that's why we're here — to help you realize your full potential and keep that promise to yourself. At Catawba, "Our Purpose:" is "Your Promise" (OPYP).

by Jen Osborne '09 and Terri Hill '09, Sociology Alumnae. Osborne and Hill recount how they became lifelong friends at Catawba, though they gained some "cuts and scrapes" along the way.

by Bill Shockley '68, Psychology Alumnus. Shockley, who had a history of being a prankster, shares how one of his most clever pranks caught up with him one day.

by Gennie Lou (Piercy) Byerly '61, English Alumna. Byerly recalls how she managed to "bow out" of the tradition the other young ladies all participated in at Catawba.

by Gerald Phelps '67, Social Studies Alumnus. Phelps recalls the early challenges of attending college, then meeting a young woman who would hold his heart for over 35 years.

by Tom Crump '51, Business Alumnus. Crump relays the story of how a gift given to his college roommate recently reacquainted him with what he had not seen in years — but that had made its way to Arizona and back to Salisbury 57 years later.

by Bill Shockley '68, Psychology Alumnus. Shockley tells of how he and his roommate investigated an unexplained activity — and came face-to-face with the "Ghost of Hedrick Hall."

Catawba College kicked off its 158th academic year with an opening convocation held Thursday, August 27 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel. The event marked the second full year at the institution for Catawba's 21st president, Dr. W. Craig Turner, and was an occasion to recognize some college employees for their years of service.

Bird Banding at Catawba Conservation Camp (C3) - C3 is a residential science camp designed for rising 6th and 7th grade girls from rowan and contiguous counties all in an effort to enhance interest in the environmental sciences. Participants stay in a college dorm, band birds, explore lakes & woods, and make new friends who love science. The girls are challenged to identify and tally plant life, explore amphibian & aquatic life, and examine insects.

FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN! Congratulations to Alumna Teresa Brady Thomas '83, whose Catawba Story entitled "Famly, Friends, Fun!" was the winning entry for the Catawba Stories contest. In the story, which fell under the "Family Ties" category, Thomas reflects on the bond she shares with her daughter that will never be broken, the Catawba Experience.

A video excerpt from a rehearsal for An Evening of Magical Song." Video courtesy of the Theatre Arts department.

Enter the Catawba STORIES Contest and You Could WIN a $50 Gift Card to the Campus Bookstore! We want to hear YOUR Catawba Stories! And, if share your story between now and Monday, April 13th, you will be entered into the contest for the best Catawba STORY! Read more...

Dr. Clyde Young, an alumnus the Class of 1943 at Catawba, is a retired Salisbury dentist. Young was also a musician in the MusicMakers Orchestra. Young frequents the student section at Salisbury High School and leads the cheers on his trumpet. Young graduated almost 70 years ago.

by Lainey Nichols '09, English major and member of the Women's Soccer team. Senior Lainey Nichols dons the "That Guy" hat and shares what it was like being part of a "family" and team at Catawba.

Video highlights from the Installation of Catawba's 21st President, Dr. W. Craig Turner.

Video highlights from Opening Convocation for the 2009 spring semester at Catawba College.

A new RSS feed featuring the video clips from performances and key campus events has been added. You can subscribe to the feed to be alerted to new Catawba College video as it is added. The videos feed begins in the spring semester of 2009.