Education roundup

Catawba College students sing the alma mater at opening convocation. Photo by Catawba College staff.

Associate Provost Dr. Carl Girelli speaks at Catawba College's opening convocation. Photo by Catawba College staff.

Seniors wore their caps and gowns at the opening convocation. Photo by Catawba College staff.

Catawba College's junior marshals.

Convocation marks Catawba’s 85th year in Salisbury

Elements representing the best of Catawba College were present when the institution officially convened for the 2010-2011 academic year on Thursday, Aug. 26. The opening convocation ceremony took place in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel with most of the campus attending.

Faculty donned academic regalia and seniors, members of the Class of 2011, tried out their caps and gowns for the first time. A 70-member choir of enthusiastic singers performed musical selections under the direction of Professor Paul E. Oakley, artist-in-residence in music and college organist, including a heartfelt African American spiritual, “Ain’t Got Time to Die.”

The leadership of the college shared sage advice, including Dr. Craig Turner, president; Dr. Rick Stephens, provost; Paul Fisher, chair of the Board of Trustees; and Kendra Joyner, SGA president. The humor came during the convocation address delivered by Associate Provost Dr. Carl Girelli.

Dr. Turner officially convened the college, marking its 85th year in Salisbury and the 159th year since its founding in Newton. He recognized and welcomed new students arriving on campus.

Fisher brought greetings from his colleagues on the Board of Trustees and also welcomed the students, explaining that the college would prepare them for jobs “that have not yet been created.” He reminded them that “opportunity is the child of change” and he urged them “to work hard, embrace change and step into the future boldly.”

Stephens recognized members of the Faculty Senate, Staff Council and the Junior Marshals, all of whom are in roles of service to the college community. He also led those gathered in the recitation of the college honor code.

Ms. Joyner also spoke on the topic of change, addressing her remarks to different classes of students — freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi she said, “May you be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Dr. Girelli added levity to the occasion delivering a convocation address titled, “A Tale of Two Terms.” He delighted the audience, especially the students in his linguistics class, with word play. He shared two words that his family had utilized to convey meanings particular to them — “cardinal” and “tuna.” To the Girelli family, he said “cardinal” denotes something “new and bright and interesting,” while “tuna” denotes “a treasure uncovered by good fortune and hard work.”

Concluding his convocation address, Dr. Girelli said:

“For those who have just joined the Catawba community, I hope you are now experiencing the magical confluence of hard work and good fortune. You have sought something that you knew must be out there, but wondered if you would find it. You have worked, and searched and waited.

“In finding Catawba College and your place here, you have surely found a tuna. Finally, for all of us — faculty, staff, students and administrators — let’s have a new and bright and interesting year, shall we. I predict a bona fide Cardinal 2010-2011 academic year.”

Catawba names 2010-11 JuniorMarshals

Fifteen students were commissioned for service as Junior Marshals by Catawba College President Dr. W. Craig Turner in a ceremony held Wednesday, Aug. 25 in Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.

These Junior Marshals, who assist College Marshal David Pulliam, assure that order and dignity are observed during formal occasions at the college, including Semester Opening convocations, Award’s Day, Baccalaureate, and Commencement, where they add order and dignity to the proceedings. Marshals also serve at the Service of Lessons and Carols and as ushers and hospitality at some college events.

Junior Marshals are chosen from the rising junior class each year based on academic excellence. The top 15 students, by GPA, in the Day Program are selected at the beginning of the fall semester and the top 15 in the School of Evening and Graduate Studies are selected at the end of Block 3 in the Spring Semester. They embody the best of Catawba College in both academic achievement and service to the College community.

Junior Marshals from the day program for the 2010-2011 academic year include James Walker Abbott of Winston-Salem; Michelle L. Chaffee of Holly Springs; Whitney Leigh Corriher of Salisbury; Marissa Elizabeth DiMarco of Voorhees, N.J.; Lori Beth Fraley of Cleveland; Julie Roseann Gilley of Dobson; Allison Michelle Justice of Bishopville, Md.; Whitney Paige Mullis of Kannapolis; Gail Elaine Murray of Shallotte; Joshua Logan Owens of Mount Pleasant; Alyssa Darlene Retundie of Mooresville; Claire Elise Robinson of Houston, Texas; Jesse Mitchell Siak of Hendersonville; Robin Elizabeth Tynes of Black Mountain; and Amanda Gwyn Williams of Indian Trail.

‘Packman’ first in lineup for Catawba’s themed game days

Popular sports radio host Mark Packer, also known as “the Packman,” will be on hand for Catawba’s home football opener against St. Augustine on Saturday.

This game is also the first in a series of themed game days, with police officers, firefighters and emergency responders to be admitted free along with three of their guests to the 7 p.m. match-up against St. Augustine.

The Catawba College Chiefs Club hopes to fill Shuford Stadium during home football games this fall by promoting themed game days, and Gordon Kirkland, Catawba’s director of athletic development, says Packman’s visit will help get the season off to a great start.

Packman will arrive at Catawba at 4 p.m. and his RV will be located on the grassy area below the Abernethy Physical Education Center patio. While he will not be broadcasting his radio show, Primetime with the Packman (broadcast out of Charlotte on 610 AM, WFNZ) from Catawba, he will have giveaways for the fans and plenty of football to talk up.

Kirkland reminds Catawba Indians fans that Packman was on hand in 2007 when the college played in a televised game. His Saturday stop at Catawba will be stop number one on what he calls “the Southern Fried Football Tour,” which will include stops at Clemson, South Carolina and Chapel Hill throughout the season.

On different home game Saturdays this fall at Catawba, a different organization or segment of the local population will be targeted and offered free admission to the games. In the 7 p.m. game on Sept. 18 when Catawba takes on Shaw University, Youth Sports is the theme and any youth, age 14 or younger, who wears their team shirt will be admitted free to the game, along with free admittance for that youth’s three guests.

On Oct. 16, employees at two local hospitals, Rowan Regional Medical Center and Hefner V.A. Medical Center, will receive free admittance for themselves and three guests to the 1:30 p.m. Catawba game against Carson-Newman. Hospital employees from either facility must show their employee ID badge at the gate.

During the last home game of the season at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, Catawba takes on Tusculum, and Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts will be admitted free to the game with three guests by wearing their uniforms.

For more details on the themed game days, contact Gordon Kirkland at 704-637-4394.

Hillard recipient of N.C. Bar scholarship

The death or disability of a loved one leaves an indelible mark on a family, especially when someone is slain or permanently injured while serving as a law enforcement officer. There are also financial burdens to consider as families often struggle to make ends meet, much less pay for college.

In response to these needs, the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association annually awards scholarships to students from families of N.C. law enforcement officers who have died or been permanently disabled in the line of duty.

For the 2010-11 academic year, scholarships totaling $27,500 have been awarded to 10 students from across the state.

Elizabeth Claire Hillard of Salisbury, a senior at Catawba College, was one of the recipients of a $1,000 scholarship for summer school.

Funding is provided through the NCBA Foundation Endowment, including an annual contribution from the Hubert Humphrey Justice Fund.

North Carolina lawyers, through the NCBA Foundation Endowment program, have distributed nearly half a million dollars in scholarship funds since 1989.

Recipients must make initial application prior to their 27th birthday and be enrolled or accepted at an approved institute of higher education or vocational school. Renewal applicants must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance in the preceding semester.

Area students receive Fisher scholarships

The North Carolina Petroleum and Convenience Marketers has awarded 21 $500 Brian Fisher Memorial scholarships at its summer convention held in June in Hilton Head, S.C.

This scholarship program assists employees of convenience stores and their families, petroleum companies and store-door vendors who service convenience stores with financial help for attending a post-high school accredited institution of their choice.

Among recipients of the Brian Fisher Memorial scholarship are Josh Sean South of Salisbury (Royal Enterprises), who will attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville; and Brittany Elizabeth Butler of Mooresville (Fast Phil’s), who will attend Mitchell Community College.

Pfeiffer offers employmentpractices for churches

As part of its ongoing efforts to offer resources to local church leaders, both clergy and lay, Pfeiffer University is sponsoring “Employment Practices for our Churches,” on Thursday, Sept. 30. This is a daylong session that will provide useful employment practices and information to help congregations deliver an effective ministry.

Led by the Rev. Joy T. Melton, J.D., chief resource officer of the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust, the session will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the university’s Charlotte campus, 4701 Park Road. The cost to attend is $30 per person and includes lunch.

Those interested are asked to RSVP by Monday, Sept. 27. To register or for more information, contact Kathleen Kilbourne, director of the Master of Practical Theology program at Pfeiffer, at 704-945-7315 or kathleen.kilbourne@ pfeiffer.edu.

The program is hosted in conjunction with the Christian Educators Fellowship of the Western N.C. Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The seminar is designed to offer participants key statutory provisions applicable to churches, vital topics to include in every church’s employee/staff handbook, as well as best practices for hiring and supervising staff members, and best practices for handling employee complaints. By learning these basic best practices, attendees will be able to update the administration procedures in their congregations and strengthen the congregation’s ability to deliver high quality ministry. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions and collaborate with each other as well as with Rev. Melton. By the conclusion of the day, participants will have received tools that are current, cost effective and simple to implement for the ongoing stewardship of the congregation’s ministries.

As chief resource officer of the United Methodist Property and Casualty Trust, the nonprofit property insurance company for United Methodist ministries, Melton consults with local churches, districts, and annual conferences, on a wide variety of employment issues. She also provides training for church leaders on these issues as well as on insurance matters, Safe Sanctuaries, and the complaint procedures found in the Book of Discipline. Melton is the author of “Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church for Children and Youth” and “Safe Sanctuaries for Ministers.”

Melton is a graduate of Pfeiffer University, where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and is immediate past co-president of the Alumni Association Board. A clergy member of the North Georgia Annual Conference and an attorney, Melton is also a graduate of Scarritt College and Emory University School of Law. She and her husband David, also a Methodist minister and Pfeiffer graduate, live in Atlanta, Ga.

Pfeiffer appoints Karrs as headlibrarian

Kevin Karrs was appointed director of information support services and head librarian of the Charlotte campus at Pfeiffer University. Prior to Pfeiffer, Karrs served 24 years as librarian at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory. He assumed his new duties last month.

As director of information support services and head librarian, Karrs will assist student and faculty in acquiring and using information in the Charlotte campus library and via distance education. He will maintain a collection of books and periodicals in the Charlotte campus library and will select, order and process new materials and answer reference questions for students and faculty.

Karrs is also responsible for teaching and promoting the use of all library resources by conducting classes on campus and at various distance education sites. He will work to increase the use of technology by delivering library instruction to distance education students.

Karrs brings extensive experience to the post. In addition to his role at Lenoir-Rhyne University, he worked as the head librarian and media coordinator at Clearfield Area High School in Clearfield, Pa., for nearly a decade and also served as the head librarian at Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, Pa.

A two-time graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Karrs earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Science in Library Science from the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Clarion University.

Pfeiffer also recently named two new evening librarians, Jeri Brentlinger and Linda Fidelle, who will both join Karrs on the Charlotte campus.

Pfeiffer announces new scholarship

Pfeiffer University alumna and Cabarrus County resident Jacquelyn Burrage Lafferty recently endowed a scholarship to benefit deserving Pfeiffer students who are from Cabarrus County.

A member of Pfeiffer College’s class of 1964, Lafferty has remained a supporter of the campus community. Her father, the late Robert Burrage, was a member of Pfeiffer Junior College’s class of 1938 who later served as a member of the university’s board of trustees and was honored with trustee emeritus status. Burrage and his wife Jackie also established a scholarship at Pfeiffer, the Jacquelyn B. and Robert L. Burrage, Jr. Endowed Scholarship, which assists students from Cabarrus and Stanly counties.

The minimum to endow a scholarship fund at Pfeiffer is $25,000. For more information regarding the endowed scholarship program at Pfeiffer University, contact Jo Ellen Newsome, director of stewardship and special projects, at 704-463-3037.

Paper accepted

Three students, all tutors at Catawba College’s Writing Center, have had a paper accepted for presentation at the 2010 National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing.

The students, Julie Gilley of Dobson and Elizabeth and Robert Sawyer, both of Salisbury, will present original research in a panel titled “Calming the Sea: Creating a Comfortable Tutoring Environment” at the conference to be held in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 4-6.

Margaret Stahr, assistant professor of English and the director of the Writing Center for the 2009-2010 academic year, will attend the conference with her students and will present a lecture. Visit the conference website at http://www.mawcaoline.org/iwca/.