Honor Roll of Donors

Dear Benefactors of Catawba College,

President Nelson

It’s a good day at Catawba. Our classrooms are alive with conversation, our students are engaged, and our community is strong. None of that happens by accident. It happens because of people who care deeply about this place—people like you. Your generosity keeps the good work of Catawba College going.

Over the past five years, Catawba’s enrollment has increased by more than 30 percent, with notable growth in the natural sciences, environmental sciences, and the performing arts. This fall, we welcomed more than 1,390 students, our largest total enrollment since 2004. That growth reflects a campus that lives out our Ideal of Scholarship with Character and Culture for Service.

At Catawba, we are building with the future in mind. Our capital projects are more than new facilities—they are expressions of who we are and what we value.

At the heart of campus, the former coal plant is being renewed as The Smokestack, a net-zero student life hub pursuing Living Building Certification. Nearby, a new 150-bed residence hall —designed with student input—will meet Passive House standards, while renovations to Salisbury-Rowan and Stanback Halls will achieve WELL Certification, enhancing the student experience and promoting health and sustainability.

Our work continues both above and below the ground. Phase 2 of Newman Park will expand seating and amenities, enriching the experience for athletes, students, and visitors alike. Beneath our feet, the District Energy & Modernization System is transforming how we power our campus. This closed-loop geo-exchange network will connect nearly 90 percent of Catawba’s buildings to clean, efficient energy and drastically lower the cost of heating and cooling our campus for decades to come.

Each of these efforts reflects more than construction. They are acts of stewardship—how we care for people, place, and the world we share.

Your gifts make this possible. They shape classrooms, experiences, and opportunities that reach well beyond this campus. Thank you for the good you do, because we know that good goes far. 

Sit Lux,

David P. Nelson
President, Catawba College

Honor Roll of Donors:

(June 1, 2024- May 31, 2025)