The Ketner School of Business signature leadership and scholarship program.
Scholarships that support your education. Experiences that prepare you to go far in business—and do good along the way.
Recipients of the David Jordan and Tom Smith Business Scholarships join a selective cohort of Business Fellows, gaining mentorship, career exploration, and exclusive access to business leaders and industry experiences.
The Business Scholars & Fellows program recognizes high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a passion for business. Recipients of the David Jordan Scholarship and Tom Smith Scholarship join a selective cohort of Business Fellows and participate in hands-on professional experiences designed to prepare them for impactful careers.
The Fellows Experience: A Four-Year Leadership Journey
Business Scholars & Fellows participate in a structured four-year experience designed to develop leadership, expand professional networks, and provide real-world exposure to the business world.
Each year builds on the previous one—moving students from career exploration to professional leadership.
Students begin building professional skills and exploring career pathways in business.
Highlights include:
Fellows orientation and program kickoff dinner
Business etiquette dinner and professional headshots
Career panels with alumni and industry leaders
Rowan County business tour with regional executives
Networking events with professionals across industries
Service project with a local organization
Business trip to New York City
Industry site visits and shadow experiences
Students deepen their professional development while building relationships with alumni mentors.
Highlights include:
Professional development workshops through BizPrep (public speaking, negotiation, personal branding, project management)
Alumni mentorship pairing with students’ career interests
Leadership retreat focused on teamwork and leadership challenges
Industry-specific panels and workshops (finance, marketing, consulting, etc.)
Domestic Business trip to major companies
Fellows-led community service initiative
Internship 1
Students take on leadership roles while gaining broader industry and global perspectives.
Highlights include:
Global immersion experience exploring international business practices
Social impact project with nonprofit organizations
Advanced leadership and negotiation workshops
Specialized training or certifications (Excel, financial modeling, digital marketing)
Industry networking events with professionals and faculty mentors
Leadership roles within the Fellows program
Internship 2
Senior Fellows focus on transitioning from college to career while mentoring younger Fellows.
Highlights include:
Leadership capstone project with real-world impact
Individualized career coaching, resume reviews, and mock interviews
Exclusive senior networking reception with employers and alumni
Formal business etiquette dinner and networking event
Fellows graduation celebration
Internship 2 continued
What Business Fellows Experience
Career Immersion
Fellows engage with business leaders, alumni, and industry professionals through curated experiences designed to explore a variety of career paths. Examples may include:
Executive roundtables
Industry site visits
Career exploration events
Alumni networking experiences
Professional Development
The program equips Fellows with practical skills that complement their academic studies. Opportunities may include:
Leadership development workshops
Resume and interview coaching
Professional etiquette training
Case competitions or consulting experiences
Mentorship & Community
Business Fellows become part of a close-knit cohort committed to academic excellence and professional growth. Students benefit from:
Faculty mentorship
Alumni connections
Peer collaboration
Career advising
Scholarships within the Fellows Program
David Jordan Business Scholarship
The David Jordan Scholarship is the most prestigious award offered to students enrolling in the Ralph W. Ketner School of Business. This highly competitive scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, leadership potential, and strong alignment with the mission and values of Catawba College.
Each year, one incoming student is selected as the David Jordan Scholar and receives an average award of $10,000. Recipients become members of the Business Scholars & Fellows cohort, gaining access to distinctive experiences designed to accelerate their professional growth and leadership development.
David Jordan Scholars receive:
Significant scholarship support
Membership in the Business Fellows cohort
Exclusive career exploration experiences and industry engagement
Faculty mentorship and connections with business alumni
Tom Smith Business Scholarship
The Tom Smith Business Scholarship recognizes promising students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to the core values of Catawba College: Scholarship, Character, Culture, and Service.
Open to new and transfer students enrolling full-time in the Ketner School of Business, this scholarship provides up to $3,000 annually in financial support. Recipients become Tom Smith Fellows, joining the Business Scholars & Fellows cohort and participating in professional development and leadership experiences through the Ketner School of Business.
Tom Smith Fellows receive:
Annual scholarship support of up to $3,000
Participation in the Business Fellows Program
Career exploration opportunities and professional development programming
Faculty mentorship and engagement with business leaders
Learn More
Fellows participation includes:
Six to eight professional and leadership events each year hosted by the Ketner School of Business
Peer mentorship opportunities, where upper-class fellows support and guide incoming Fellows
Students selected as Business Fellows participate in experiences that extend far beyond the classroom, connecting academic learning with real-world business insight.
Benefits include:
Direct engagement with business leaders and industry professionals
Hands-on career exploration opportunities
Exclusive networking experiences with alumni and executives
Leadership development programming
Membership in a prestigious cohort of high-achieving peers
Business Fellows graduate with a strong foundation for professional success, including:
Real-world professional experience and industry exposure
Expanded professional networks
Advanced leadership and communication skills
Competitive preparation for careers in business, entrepreneurship, and graduate study
Applicants must:
Have a minimum GPA of 3.2
Be a new or transfer student enrolling full-time at Catawba College
Intend to pursue a major within the Ketner School of Business
Students interested in the Business Scholars & Fellows Program can be considered through the David Jordan Scholarship and Tom Smith Scholarship.
Submit the FAFSA using Catawba’s school code (002914) to ensure financial aid eligibility.
Complete the Scholarship Interest Form in your applicant portal to indicate your interest in the David Jordan or Tom Smith Scholarship.
Qualified applicants will then be invited to one of two on-campus interview days, where finalists are evaluated for selection into this prestigious program.
Selection is based on:
Academic achievement
Leadership potential
Interest in business and entrepreneurship
Engagement in extracurricular or community activities
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