Catawba College is a private college affiliated with the Church of Christ, which was established in 1951. Ketner School of Business was named after the successful co-founder of Food Lion, Ralph Ketner. This competitive business school is accredited by the ACBSP. Catawba is well-known in the south for offering high-quality degree programs. The 2020 edition of U.S. News and World Report named Catawba among Best Colleges in the South, and in 2019, the Princeton Review also recognized Catawba among the Best 384 Colleges. Additionally, Washington Monthly identifies Catawba as a “Best Bang for the Buck” college, and Catawba also made Forbes’ “Grateful Graduates Index 2018” list. Within one year of graduation, 97% of students are employed or enrolled in graduate school. Business graduates are employed with Ernst & Young, The Walt Disney Company, and the State of North Carolina.
Education
Ketner SoB is composed of three departments: Business and Economics, Communication, and Mathematics and Computer Science. Undergraduate students can major in Accounting, Computer Science, Business Administration, Communication, Digital Media Production, Economics and Finance, Information Systems and Technology, Integrated Marketing Communication, Mathematical Finance, and Mathematics. The BBA is offered through the Evening Undergraduate Program in small classes capped at 24 students. This flexible BBA program is geared towards adults who may be returning to school after being out for a while. Students can enroll part-time, full-time, or even take up to a month off during the semester.
Student Life
There are many opportunities for students to get involved, whether they attend classes full-time or are enrolled in an evening program. Students can build camaraderie with their classmates by participating in the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society or Phi Beta Lambda Business Society. Other business organizations to check out on campus include the American Marketing Association, National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Student Managed Investment Fund.
The Office of Career Services excels at preparing students for life after college. The Catawba to Career Program is geared towards freshmen and sophomores who may still be exploring career options and deciding upon a major or minor. C2C students can access personalized career guidance through the Focus 2 computer program. Juniors and seniors can prepare for the post-graduation careers by accepting an internship, attending a career fair, or learning how to highlight their accomplishments on their resume. Students have recently interned with Central Carolina Insurance Company, Century 21, Northwestern Mutual, and Wells Fargo. Students who accept unpaid summer internships can apply to receive up to $1,000 through the internship fund. The Mentor program is another great way for students to learn about career opportunities and make professional business connections.
Online Programs
The Bachelor of Business Administration is also available in a convenient distance-learning format for adult learners who are busy with work or family obligations. BBA students can select a concentration in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Information Systems, or Professional Accounting. Many students substitute their electives with a second concentration to become proficient in another business specialty.