Catawba College - Overview
Catawba College Provides Christian Education on an Expansive Campus in the Historical Town of Salisbury, North Carolina
Catawba College is a Christian school located in Salisbury, North Carolina, offering bachelor's degrees spanning several areas of the liberal arts and science disciplines. Pre-professional studies are also available, and the student body and faculty integrate scholastic instruction and achievement with several on- and off-campus ministries. Weekly worship and outreach sessions in the surrounding community allow students to become involved with these ministries to a greater degree while pursuing a Christian education.
Originally established in 1851, Catawba is located in the midst of 276 wooded acres of North Carolina's wilderness and renowned outdoor environment. Especially popular for its 300-acre wildlife refuge and 189-acre ecological preserve, Catawba offers plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities while providing a diverse mix of nationalities and both men and women students.
As the college is also located near the city of Charlotte, NC, students have the option to venture out from campus for a weekend adventure of shopping, fine dining, and sightseeing amongst the locals and the year-round tourists and visitors.
Liberal Arts and Science Majors Lead Catawba Students to a Bachelor of Arts, Science, or Fine Arts Degree
Catawba students have a wide range of major and minor concentration choices while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The most common majors studied include athletic training, biology, business administration, chemistry, communication arts, education, English, environmental education, environmental science, environmental studies, exercise science, history, mathematics, medical technology, music, musical theatre, physical education, political science, psychology, recreation, religion and philosophy, sociology, Spanish, sports management, sustainable business and community development, theatre arts, theatre arts administration, and therapeutic recreation.
Further concentrations within these major areas are available to students seeking an even more extensive and specialized education. For example, music majors may choose to specialize in music business, music education, music performance, or sacred music studies. Business administration students may want to pursue studies related to careers in accounting, economics, general management, information systems, or marketing. Education majors may focus on K-6 or 6-9 instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies. Those aiming to teach grades 9-12 may be interested in the licensure programs for biology, chemistry, comprehensive science or social studies, English, or mathematics.
English majors may concentrate on literature or writing, and political science majors may place emphasis on American political experience studies, international relations, or public administration. Finally, as a Christian school and foundation, the religion and philosophy major is quite popular at Catawba. These students frequently choose to concentrate on areas of Christian education, outdoor ministries, or theology and philosophy.
Special majors are available through the many pre-professional programs at Catawba as well. Students expressing an interest in pursuing advanced studies in the areas of dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, ministry, and law may pursue specialized advising programs on campus. Honors program studies, evening undergraduate courses, and summer school offer multiple avenues for students from various backgrounds and situations to pursue a quality undergraduate education.
Once accepted to Catawba College, several types of financial aid provide avenues for funding a student's complete education on campus. In addition to government-based loans and grants, Catawba offers several need-based types of aid as well as merit-based scholarships. Many students also choose to pursue private funding sources in outside organizations and businesses that are frequently focusing on the area of study these students are in.
Extracurricular Activities for Students at Catawba College Include Clubs, Organizations, and Division II Sports Teams
The Catawba Indians have several NCAA Division II sports teams that students enjoy following year-round while studying in North Carolina. Popular men's sports include golf, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, cross-county, and football. Women athletes may be interested in becoming part of the cheerleading, basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, or volleyball teams. Several summer camps and clinics aim to prepare these student-athletes for upcoming seasons and further develop their athletic skills and competitive prowess.
In addition to sports providing both extracurricular activity and entertainment for non-athletes, several on-campus clubs and organizations provide further options for pursuing a complete and well-rounded education at Catawba. Some are government- or ministry-related, and others may be special-interest or major-focused. Professional honorary societies such as Alpha Sigma Lambda and Alpha Chi are also popular avenues for mingling with similarly motivated students.
Some of the more popular clubs and organizations among students include the Catawba Ambassadors, Catawba Crazies, and Catawba Outdoor Adventures (COA). The Crazies are focused on creating and maintaining on-campus school spirit regarding the Indian teams throughout their seasons.
The Catawba Ambassadors are associated with the Office of Admissions, and lead campus tours for prospective students and alumni, as well as take part in recruitment activities in high schools across the country. There is an application and interview process required to become part of the Ambassador program, and in order to qualify a student must have and maintain a 2.25 GPA or higher.
Just as the name suggests, the COA is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts looking for like-minded individuals to share experiences with such as aiding in protecting the surrounding environment, whitewater rafting, hiking, and backpacking adventures.