Both ceremonies brought together families, friends, faculty, and staff to recognize a new generation of leaders and changemakers. Catawba College President David P. Nelson presided over the ceremonies along with Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Monica Cowart. Barbara Marshall, a 1972 alumna and Chair of Catawba’s Board of Trustees, provided congratulatory remarks on behalf of the board.
In heartfelt and joyful celebrations marked by tradition and reflection, graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work, discovery, and growth.
The ceremonies honored graduates of Catawba’s five schools, including the James F. and Gerry T. Hurley School of Arts and Sciences, Ralph W. Ketner School of Business, Enoch A. and Dorothy H. Goodman School of Education, the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance, and the Adrian L., Jr. and Dorothy L. Shuford School of Performing Arts.
Katelyn Cothren, president of the Student Government Association and senior class speaker, delivered an inspiring address in the morning ceremony. She encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace the future with confidence and purpose.
339 students graduated in Catawba’s Class of 2025, including students from 20 states and 19 countries. President Nelson told the graduates, “At Catawba, you have learned how to learn. So, continue asking questions. Continue discovering. Let your imagination run free as you think about what the world could truly be like and how you can help create the world we all want to live in. Class of 2025, whatever comes next. And whatever comes next after that, I charge you to love, to be curious, and courageous, and kind.”
As part of the celebration, Catawba recognized several outstanding graduates and community members with special awards:
- The Whitener Medals, the college’s most prestigious awards given by the College to graduating seniors, in recognition of exceptional leadership, character, and scholarship. The 2025 female recipient was Katelyn Cothren, and the male recipient is Zachary Smith. These awards have been presented each year since 1927 to the man and woman in the graduating class who most embody the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. The awards are made in memory of Dr. Edgar Whitener of High Point, NC, who served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1921 – 1966 and as Chairman of the Board from 1925 – 1944.
- The O.B. Michael Award, honoring distinguished service and commitment to the college, was presented to Dr. Randall “Randy” Crumpler. This award is given annually by the Alumni Association Board of Directors in memory of the Reverend O.B. Michael, class of 1919. The award is presented to a member of the Alumni Association who has made a valuable contribution to the College and/or to society.
“Receiving the O.B. Michael Award is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” shared Crumpler. “As I reflect on the remarkable individuals who have received this honor before me—people like Bill and Shari Graham, Bill Hall, Bill and Peggy Godley, Junie Michael, Tom Childress, Ken Clapp, Dan Bross, Pat McCrory, Shuford Abernathy, Fred Corriher, Sarah Cook, Emma Knox, Porter Seiwell, and Louise Tucker—I am reminded of the profound impact they’ve had on the legacy of Catawba. To be included among them is truly an honor. My most cherished memories from Catawba are rooted in the people I met here. Playing basketball for Coach Sam Moir introduced me to lifelong friends—friends who remain some of the most important people in my life, even fifty years later.”
- The Barbara Andrews Award went to Erika Lambeth, recognizing the Catawba Online student who embodies character, leadership, and scholarship most successfully. The award was established and named in honor of Barbara Andrews of Salisbury, the first director of the program at Catawba College.
The College also bid a fond farewell to Dr. Renee McCachren, Professor of Music, who retired this spring after 41 years of dedicated service. McCachren leaves an extraordinary legacy as a teacher, mentor, and leader. In tribute, the community celebrated her commitment to scholarship, culture, and service—the very pillars of the Catawba experience. She joined Catawba in 1984 as an Instructor of Music. Rising through the faculty ranks, she was awarded tenure and was ultimately promoted to the highest faculty rank of Full Professor of Music.
Her areas of teaching in the Music Department included music theory, music history, and piano. She also directed the Performance Concentration and regularly offered master classes for piano students. In 2017, she was commissioned as Senior College Marshal, an honor awarded to the senior faculty member of the College. In that role, she has carried the ceremonial mace in Catawba’s academic processionals, such as Commencement, for the past nine years.
In her years of dedicated service, McCachren taught and influenced thousands of students, mentored numerous faculty members, and composed a noteworthy and lasting legacy.
Graduates of both ceremonies were urged to carry forward the college’s ideal —Scholarship with character and culture for service—as they enter the next chapter of their personal and professional journeys. As President Nelson remarked, “We are so very proud of all of you. You have well lived Catawba’s ideal: Scholarship with character and culture for service. Go and make the world a place we all want to live. Remember, this is your time. Class of 2025, go from these hallowed grounds and have the time of your life. Congratulations.”
Catawba College extends its deepest congratulations to the Class of 2025 and heartfelt gratitude to the faculty and staff who helped guide them along the way.
