By Susan Shinn, Special Correspondent. Elizabeth Berg finds effortless joy in writing. Berg was speaker for the 24th Annual Brady Author's Symposium, held March 18 in Catawba College's Keppel Auditorium. Members of local book clubs, the Brady family, Catawba staff and residents from Rowan County and beyond enjoyed a luncheon afterward in the college's Peeler Crystal Lounge. Berg further shared insights at an informal Q&A session later in the afternoon.

Author and architect Sarah Susanka brought her "Not So Big" philosophy to Catawba College's campus on March 16 and advised those members of her 11 a.m. audience to "be the custodian of your own life. We are that channel by which God moves through this world," Susanka explained, noting "those inner judgments [each person makes about themselves] undermine the truth of who God wants you to be."

2008 Catawba alumnus Jonathan Rhodes is making a 10-day trip to Thailand this month with a high school friend, and 2007 alumnus Joe Brooks. For Rhodes, this is a repeat trip to a country he has grown to love. He'll be sharing his adventures through blog posts here and through his personal blog. Rhodes' introductory post about the trip that will begin March 11 follows...

Seventeen Catawba College seniors, all pursuing academic majors in the Ketner School of Business, were inducted into the Business Honor Society during a March 4 ceremony held at the Cloninger Guest House on campus. Membership in this scholastic honor society is open to all senior majors in the fields of accounting, economics, information systems, management and marketing who have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2.

He made it sound so easy. Catawba College welcomed Amory Lovins, one of the world's "top thinkers and environmentalists" and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) based in Colorado, to Keppel Auditorium Feb. 23. Speaking to a crowd of more than 700, Lovins discussed doable ways to cut our dependence on oil. "It's not a fantasy," Lovins said. "It's available, practical and profitable now."

We are pleased to announce that beginning with the Fall 2010 semester, Catawba College will participate in the William D. Ford Direct Loan program. Catawba College students will be required to use the Direct Loan program for all federal student and parent loans rather than the Federal Family Educational Loan Program program (FFELP). With the Direct Loan program, students and parents will apply directly with the federal government rather than having to go through a lender such as a bank.

Looking for a chance to see former Lacrosse teammates and enjoy some time with them? The perfect opportunity to do just that is the April 24th, 2010 Catawba College Lacrosse Reunion. It all begins at 12:30pm in Kirkland Lobby of Goodman Gymnasium. Lunch for all will be served at that time and several of you will be selected to speak to the group about your time at Catawba and your Lacrosse memories.

Jessica Garner, the 2009-2010 N.C. Teacher of the Year, spent time on campus Thursday, February 25th with West Scholars and the Department of Teacher Education, sharing her vision of the 21st Century Classroom. Ms. Garner is a Spanish teacher at Porter Ridge High School and is a resident of Indian Trail, N.C.

By Susan Shinn, Catawba News Service. "Dad says not to worry about it but I want to know." Wise words from an undergraduate who attended Catawba College's Life-Skills 101 series on Feb. 18-19 in the Hurley Room on campus. The first night focused on personal finance, with the second night centered around alumni networking and dining and business etiquette.

For the second year in a row, Catawba College is included on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The institution is one of more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide recognized for exemplary, innovative, and effective community service programs.