“This remarkable gift honors both the person and the purpose behind the Center,” said Dr. David P. Nelson, President of Catawba College. “At Catawba, we view leadership as stewardship. Supporting the development of ethical, informed citizens is at the heart of what we do. This gift strengthens that commitment—and ensures our students are prepared to succeed in and serve their communities.”
Under Bitzer’s leadership, the Center aims to enrich civic dialogue, understanding, and engagement regarding the politics of North Carolina, promote the ideals of public service, civic character and engagement, and foster a deeper understanding of democratic institutions and civic responsibility through public forums, student research, and external partnerships.
“I’m stunned and deeply humbled by this gift,” said Dr. Bitzer. “It’s meaningful to see our community recognize the importance of the Center’s work. The endowment of the directorship gives a clear signal that our mission and goals are valued in today’s divisive political climate. That, in itself, is rewarding to me.”
Bitzer is the author of “Redistricting and Gerrymandering in North Carolina: Battlelines in the Tar Heel State” and is a trusted voice on state and regional political affairs. He currently holds the T.P. and J.C. Leonard Chair of Political Science and serves as Director of the Center.
“Two things came to mind in creating this Center,” Bitzer said. “First, there’s a real need in North Carolina for an organization that studies the state’s politics and raises awareness of its dynamics. Second, many of our students have expressed a clear desire to serve the public. At a time when public service needs affirmation, this Center focuses on both understanding politics and encouraging service.”
While the donor has chosen to remain anonymous, the gift is intended to recognize Bitzer’s vision and leadership.
