Catawba College (CC)

Catawba College is a small private liberal arts school in North Carolina affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Catawba students most often describe their professors as the best aspect of their learning experience. "We have some of the most strong-minded, dedicated, and knowledgeable professors who want nothing more than their students to succeed." As another student explains, "Professors are engaging and made textbook material relatable and interesting." Many believe that it is the high quality of teaching coupled with small classes, enabled by a relatively low student to faculty ratio, that makes for a superior academic environment. "Every professor gets to essentially learn about us one on one instead of students just being a name on a paper." Students also praise the wide variety and availability of scholarships at Catawba, which are offered based on financial need, merit, and participation in various athletics, extracurricular clubs, or other programs. "Giving out plenty of scholarships makes college much more affordable and possible for so many kids and...gives them so many possibilities in their future." This variety is also reflected in Catawba's courses, which span more than 70 majors and minors. This allows students to choose between the traditional (like mathematics, psychology, and English) or to opt for innovative subjects like exercise science, sustainable planning and leadership, or music business. International study provides yet another layer, with programs available in places as different as Ireland, Madagascar, and Bonaire. Students appreciate the abundance of diversified opportunities available at Catawba to meet their academic needs.

Catawba students describe a deep sense of camaraderie with their peers. Students are in favor of Catawba's "close-knit environment," saying that "it's easier to make friends and be part of the community since everyone kind of knows everyone." Consequently, students describe Catawba positively as the sort of place where "when you walk to class you have to stop at least three times to say 'hi' to a friend." Approximately forty percent of Catawba undergraduates play on a varsity sports team, while many others play informally or simply attend games to cheer for their classmates. Accordingly, the student body is invariably seen as "sports-oriented." While many at Catawba are active Christians, diversity of thought and belief are greatly valued among the student body. A strong international presence is felt at Catawba and students welcome this inclusivity. "I've met people from Spain, Poland, China, Brazil, South Africa, [and] England, and the culture among them varies greatly." Approximately twenty percent of undergraduates commute and therefore don't experience dormitory life, but resident students attempt to include them in campus activities as much as possible. As one student observes, "Catawba students are very accepting; we receive you as you are, and no one is afraid to be themselves here."

Catawba is located in historic Salisbury, North Carolina (approximately forty miles north of Charlotte). "The campus is beautiful with many green spaces to sit outside and enjoy the outdoors...." There is a 189-acre ecological preserve adjacent to the campus, which hosts a diverse group of birds and animals, is a popular retreat for busy students. Environmentalism and sustainability are a big part of the Catawba ethos, as the college is the first institution of higher learning in the southeast to be deemed "fully carbon neutral" by the nonprofit Second Nature. Athletics also play a large role at Catawba, with 24 NCAA Division II teams. In addition to organized sports, "many people like to hang out outside and play sports with each other." The school also offers many clubs ranging from chemical science and chess to anime and poetry. As one student notes, "All the different types of clubs our school offers have brought so many different experiences that I never would've gotten if it weren't for these clubs."