Alumni Newsletters: October 2020

Cyrus Alexander ’75, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Catawba College and a master's degree in education from Howard University. Cy began his career at South Carolina State where he coached for 16 years before moving to Tennessee State University. While at S.C. State, Alexander won five conference titles and played in the NCAA tournament five times. He is the winningest coach in the program’s history. In 2003 Alexander became the head men's basketball coach at Tennessee State University. Alexander spent six seasons with the Tigers. Alexander led TSU to the 2008 OVC championship game, the school's first in 10 years. Coach Alexander became the ninth North Carolina A&T men's basketball coach in the modern era on April 20, 2012. Alexander led the Aggies to their first MEAC tournament title in 18 years.

Alexander's efforts helped him win three MEAC Coach of the Year honors while at S.C. State, including the 2003 honor for leading the Bulldogs to their fifth MEAC crown. Alexander has served as a member of the Black Coaches Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He is also a member of several organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Christian Crifasi ’13 took a cross-country bike ride to help spread the word of CreatiVets, an organization that seeks to use various art forms to help disable veterans cope with service-related trauma.

Provost Rogers-Lowery gives a detailed update as students reach the 1/3 mark of the fall semester. Read the full update below:

Early in September, the Catawba College Board of Trustees, elected three new members to the Board for four-year terms. The new members are James L. Crumel, Sr. ’84 of Tallahassee, FL, Ken Dobler '80 of Charleston, SC, and Ronald J. Maccaroni ’67 of Charlotte, NC. Read more about the new Board members below:

Catawba College was recently ranked among the Top 10 Best Colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Reports. This is the fifth straight year that Catawba has received a Top 10 ranking.

Finley Carroll ’21, current senior at Catawba College, recently scored an internship with MLS Franchise D.C. United. Read more about Finley’s internship opportunity below:

Ride with Catawba pride with your very own Catawba license plate! For just an additional $20 on top of your annual registration, you can show your colors everywhere you go. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Alumni Association. Get yours now!

Caitlyn Corace will become Catawba's third Head Women's Lacrosse Coach. She joins Catawba after six seasons as the Head Coach at Lincoln Memorial, where she helped launch the program at the rival conference school.

Dr. Andrew Jacobson, assistant professor of GIS and Conservation in Catawba’s Department of Environment and Sustainability, recently discovered that roughly half the earth’s ice-free land remains without significant human influence. Read more about Dr. Jacobson’s research below:

Dr. Michael Bitzer, an 18-year veteran of the Political Science Department at Catawba College, has recently been recruited by national news stations for data on the Battleground State of North Carolina in regards to the upcoming election. Read more information on the work that Dr. Bitzer is doing below:

On the hunt for a new job? Just looking for a change of scenery? Check out the Virtual Career and Internship Fair happening October 8-9 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. held by UNCC. Check out who’s coming and sign up today!

Handshake is an online portal where employers hire college students and new grads. Handshake can continue to provide you with professional development information and career opportunities beyond college. Catawba maintains a relationship with Handshake for our students after they graduate. Handshake can also be used after graduation, and Catawba will maintain your Handshake profile for as long as you wish to use the service.

The newest Class Giving Challenge is here! See how your class ranks in giving to the MBS Campaign:

Top Class Years By Percent that Gave

Take a look at the MIND, BODY, SOUL pages on our campaign website to view which priorities have been funded so far and which ones are on their way to reaching completion!
 

The turf field at Shuford Stadium has finally been installed! This was funded by designated gifts and will benefit all sports teams on campus. With Kirkland Field now being the only turf field in Rowan County, the entire community can benefit from its offerings.

Watch a video of the construction of the field.