New construction and renovation work will increase the campus experience and serve as a sustainability model for the region
The Catawba College will celebrate a large milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, and mark the beginning of the most ambitious initiative for capital improvements in the history of the institution. The event begins at 2:00 p.m. outside of Ketner Hall and continues in the Tom Smith Auditorium for Formal Comments.
With the capital investment of 90 million US dollars, Catawba starts a courageous selection of new buildings and renovation work, which improve the experience of the students and promote the leadership of the college in sustainability. The projects include the construction of a state-of-the-art new dormitory and a dynamic hub for student life, significant renovation work on Stanback and Salisbury-Rowan dormitories and Newman Park as well as the introduction of a campus-wide geothermal energy system. Together, these projects reflect Catawba's commitment to an environment with living learning, in which innovation, well -being and environmental responsibility overlap.
“These projects represent much more than new buildings and modern systems – they embody the type of learning community that we become,” said Dr. David P. Nelson, President of Catawba College. “We build spaces that reflect our deepest values: a commitment to sustainability, success of the students and a future that is defined by purpose and possibility. This is a historical step forward for our campus, our students and the region that we serve.”
The capital improvements are designed in such a way that they meet strict environmental standards and support the student design. Project highlights include:
• New dormitory: a facility with 130 beds with common meeting rooms and collegiate gothic design to meet the architectural heritage of the campus. Developed to meet passive house standards.
Completion: autumn 2026
• The Sauchestack: A newly designed student center and the first living building in the region. As soon as a coal system burns, the room has a roofing, modern learning technologies and food options from the region.
Completion: autumn 2026
• Newman Park – Phase 2: Improvements to this legendary venue will increase the seats, modernize amenities and improve sporting facilities.
Completion: Winter 2026
• Stanback Hall: Renovation work will preserve the historical structure, add new wings, upgrade interiors and include sustainability features such as well certification and reused solar modules.
Completion: autumn 2026
• Salisbury-Rowan Hall: One of the oldest dormitories from Catawba is modernized with a completely new interior and improved accessibility. Targeting Fitwel certification.
Completion: autumn 2027
• District energy and modernization: A four-phase geothermal project that connects 26 buildings that reduce the campus-wide emissions by an estimated 23,000 tons of CO₂E over 25 years.
Completion (phases 1 & 2): spring 2026 | Full completion: 2029
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All projects, with the exception of Newman Park, are fully financed by private philanthropy so that the college can recognize these courageous improvements without increasing the student costs. The financing for the second phase of Newman Park is pursued by a capital campaign in autumn.
“This investment marks a significant time in Catawba's rich history, and I am very pleased that students and alumni were an essential part of the curiosity and promotion of a culture of innovation for the planning of these rooms,” said Barbara L. Marshall, chairwoman of the Catawba College board of Trustee and a graduate in 1972 Future -oriented college to appreciate our legacy and to be loyal administrators of this dynamic institution. “
Marshall added: “I look forward to gathering with the campus community to bring college into the future.”
The groundbreaking ceremony is accessible to the public and includes comments from President David P. Nelson. CEO Barbara L. Marshall; Dr. Lee Ball, Vice President of Sustainability and Managing Director of the Center for the Environment; Katelyn Cothers, President of the Student Government Association; And representatives of the project partners, including Balfour Beatty Us, Landdesign, Page, Edific Engineering, Little, CMTA and Brailsford & Dunlavey.
Find out more about the most important capital projects from Catawba on our website.