Winter 2007-2008/Volume 29, Number 3 Winter 2007 /2008Spotlights Service of Lessons & Carols Update on Catawba’s 13 presidential search ince the August announcement of develop a full position description and institutional Catawba College President’s plans profile which are now posted on the RPA, Inc. to retire at the end of the 2007-2008 website at www.rpainc.org/post/catawbaprofile.pdf. S academic year, progress has been On the homepage of the College’s website, there is made in finding his successor. Dr. also a prominent link where news and information CATAWBA INDIANS GO TO PLAYOFFS Robert Knott will wrap up six years as the 20th about the search process is available to all interest- president of the institution when he retires in May. ed constituents, http://www.catawba.edu/president/. In the months since Knott’s announcement, a So far, 48 candidates have an expressed an 24 Presidential Search Committee, chaired by Trustee interest in Catawba’s presidency and the deadline Paul Fisher and vice-chair, Trustee Darlene Ball, for expressing interest is December 18. The worked to identify the consulting firm which Search Committee will begin a review of all inter- would lead the College through this process. RPA, ested candidates on December 21. Inc. of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, an executive As the Search Committee continues its work search firm specializing in recruiting for higher to narrow down the candidates to finalists, Board education and non-profit organizations, was of Trustees Chairman Tom E. Smith asks all con- selected in early fall and began work in earnest. stituencies of the College for their ongoing sup- RPA, Inc. visited campus in late October and port. He requests that nominations for a particular conducted on-site assessments with trustees, candidate or feedback for the committee be direct- faculty, staff and students. Shortly thereafter, an ed to Carolyn Peeler, executive assistant to the advertisement soliciting candidates for Catawba’s Search Committee, who will make sure that the Christmas 21st president ran in The Chronicle of Higher input is funneled appropriately. Carolyn can be Tree Lighting Education. In tandem with the advertisement, the reached via phone at 704-637-4394 or by e-mail at Search Committee worked with RPA, Inc. to [email protected]. 12 Library renovation nears completion; Cannon Student Center construction going strong Staff and collections of Catawba’s Corriher-Linn- Black Library will move back to their renovated space over the College’s Christmas holidays which begin December 17. The library will reopen January 7. The return of staff and collections comes after a year- long renovation period in which library employees and collections were relocated to the second floor of Hoke Hall and four mobile units. Ramsey, Burgin and Smith Architects, Inc. of Salisbury, oversaw the library renovations which capitalized on its See CONSTRUCTION UPDATE, page 3 Thoughts on The power of “word of mouth” by DR. J. MICHAEL BITZER Dean of Admissions I t was late one fall Friday afternoon, the week fol- rest of our admissions team, have brought such an energy and lowing a very large attendance at one of Catawba’s enthusiasm that some on campus have nicknamed them “the Open Houses, when I walked into our Welcome Center and met Dream Team.” From watching all of the staff in admissions and a father and daughter who were visiting our campus. After chat- financial aid over the past few months, I would lend my support ting with them for a few minutes, I asked them where they were to that endorsement. from and how they happened upon Catawba. People make a difference, but so too does the combination The father replied that they live in Apex, N.C., just outside of many other factors. The great success of the Catawba of Raleigh, and that Catawba wasn’t even on their radar screen football team and all of our athletic teams this fall, the opening until he was talking with some friends. His friends spoke so of the new Abernethy Village and its five residency halls, and highly of the school that the father and daughter had to come the pending completion of renovations to the Corriher- and visit the campus to see if all the comments about the school Linn-Black Library and the Cannon Student Center, have made were true. Only later did he find out that his friends were a significant impact on what we are able to present to students alumni of Catawba. who consider becoming Catawba students. In marketing and advertising, “word of mouth” is as precious Success in the classroom, on the athletic field, and on as gold or oil nowadays. But when it comes from those who truly campus generates an environment of energy—and prospective experienced and benefited, the power of “word of mouth” students pick up on that. All of these aspects have brought con- expands to credibility. In today’s competitive environment for siderable attention to Catawba College—and the recognition is prospective college students, this component of a college’s deserved. In late August, we received word that U.S. News & recruiting strategy is akin to an “art.” While a college’s admis- World Report ranked Catawba College as the 16th “Best sions office can have all the scientific and expert analysis in plan- Baccalaureate College in the South,” a jump of seven spots over ning recruiting strategies, it is often “word of mouth,” especially the previous year’s ranking. Of course, rankings don’t mean of those who benefited and excelled from a collegiate experience, everything, but this jump means, in my opinion, something CAMPUS that can be the most powerful movers and attractors for a prospec- good is being recognized by those outside of Salisbury. And tive student and their family when selecting a college. prospective students are beginning to notice as well. TONIA BLACK-GOLD As the new dean of admissions here at Catawba, I have Just this past June, we printed over 17,000 viewbooks that Editor & Chief Communications Officer used the outcomes of our alumni—from those who have attend- we send to inquiring students who ask for more information on ed some of the top graduate programs in their fields to those Catawba College. By the beginning of October, we had TRACY RATLIFF who are leaders in their professional areas—as one of the key exhausted that supply and reprinted more. At our October Open Graphic Designer & Staff Photographer descriptors of what Catawba College provides. House, we had to utilize Keppel Auditorium, normally used for GWEN STIDHAM Catawba’s alumni have been critical and important factors graduation ceremonies, to accommodate over 300 visiting stu- Staff Assistant in attracting quality students to Catawba. From alumni partici- dents and their families. And as of now, we are currently on the pating in receptions this fall in Charlotte, Raleigh, and way to a record number of applications from interested students, MAEGEN G. WORLEY Greensboro, and those planned for the spring in Wilmington and seeking the best of what Catawba College has to offer. Web Designer/Developer Atlanta, prospective students and their families always com- So what does all of this mean? As someone who studies ment back to me that they enjoy meeting and talking with alum- campaigns, elections, and voting behavior (or as one of my col- JAMES D. LEWIS ’89 ni to see what kind of difference Catawba made in their lives. leagues described it, voting misbehavior), I have learned as a Sports Information Director It is this impact in our students’, and ultimately alumni, political analyst never to be 100 percent sure of an election until lives that truly defines Catawba’s mission of providing “an edu- all the votes are counted. While our “early” polls are showing 1-800-CATAWBA or 1-704-637-4393 cation rich in personal attention.” As a faculty member for the some great numbers, the deciding time will be those students past five years, I have had the pleasure of seeking to uphold that who become members of Catawba’s Class of 2012 next August. Alumni Updates: [email protected] mission. From having classes of two to thirty-two, I tell But the early primaries and caucuses are looking positive, CAMPUS Editor: [email protected] prospective students that I not only get to know my students, but and I want to express my sincere appreciation to all—from our Catawba Homepage: www.catawba.edu I get to know them extremely well—and then challenge them to alumni who share their good experiences with prospective CAMPUS (USPS 087-560) is published quarterly by pursue their best. For all of us—faculty, staff, and coaches— students in their communities, to the Catawba campus family Catawba’s strength remains its size. And our alumni confirm who make the experience a reality. Alumni who speak on behalf CATAWBA COLLEGE that it is the experience and connections with individuals that of their alma mater may not realize it, but the impact that they 2300 West Innes Street, make their time on campus so unique, and that our alumni take make on a prospective student and their family may just lead to Salisbury, NC 28144-2488. this with them throughout their professional lives. another future Catawba alumnus arriving on campus next August. One area that we here on campus have truly benefited from Until then, those of us on the “Dream Team”—and I count Periodicals Postage rates paid at Salisbury, N.C. alumni excelling in their professional careers has been directly everyone, from our current students, faculty, staff, trustees, to and additional mailing offices.