Here is a glimpse at what’s happening at various colleges and universities throughout the Tar Heel state, which chartered the United States’ first public university in 1789.
Campbell University, Buies Creek: This Baptist church-affiliated university has enrolled the largest number of undergraduates — 3,000 — in the history of the school for fall 2008. The university has announced a partnership with Wake Technical Community College based in Raleigh, N.C., that will allow associate degree graduates to transfer seamlessly into bachelor’s degree programs at Campbell. The university has also launched a new emergencymass notification system at no additional cost to subscribers. The e2Campus system is used at more than 500 schools across the nation to convey time-sensitive messages to the campus community via cell phone, Internet, BlackBerry, pagers and other electronicmeans.
Davidson College, Davidson: This year, Davidson became the first college in the country to eliminate student loans, instead relying on grants and work-study programs so that students can graduate debt free. The college recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to attract more students toward the study of science and improve their chances for success in the field. The grant facilitates a half-dozen initiatives toward that goal, including a “Math and Science Center,”mentoring programs for underrepresentedminority students and research fellowships. This liberal arts college calls itself a “Community of Honor,” using a long-standing honor code in examinations that allows students to take tests anywhere on campus without a proctor.
Duke University, Durham: The university announced the establishment of the Institute for Homeland Security Solutions at the region’s Research Triangle Park. The institute will conduct research in social science and policy-related issues intended to strengthen homeland security. A federally funded research collaboration, the institute will conduct research aimed to improve the detection and understanding of security risks. RTI International, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Military Foundation will be collaborating with Duke on this $7.5 million effort fromtheDepartment of Homeland Security.
Elon University, Elon: Located east of Greensboro and northwest of Raleigh-Durham, this university is considered to be one of several “up and coming” master’s-level institutions. Elon digital TV expert, professor Connie Book, is documenting the recent transition of the first American media market,Wilmington, N.C., from analog to all-digital television broadcast. She will share data with the Federal Communications Commission. Elon is also offering “Party Smart” workshops to students intended to advise students how to have fun without going to extremes.
High Point University, High Point: This private university has enrolled a record 875 freshmen this fall, up 17 percent since last fall and its president, Nido Qubein, has agreed to stay on board for at least another three years. According to The Business Journal (Greensboro/Winston-Salem), the local business community is pleased with that news since the High Point Economic Development Corp. estimates the total dollar impact of all school operations is around $320 million, up more than 50 percent during Qubein’s three-year tenure. In addition, the initial stage of a long-term $100 million building and renovation project was completed this summer.
Meredith College, Raleigh: One of the largest independent women’s colleges in the country,Meredith is the first college or university to provide WYNN Wizard, a study and reading technology on all student laptops. The reading/writing software supports individual strengths and learning styles. Incoming freshmen and juniors will receive laptops already equipped withWYNN; other students can receive the software upon request. Meredith’s campus theme for 2008-09 is “Sustaining Our Environment: Developing our Greenprint.” Class work, campus activities and service learning opportunities will all relate to this theme.
North Carolina State University, Raleigh: This comprehensive university’s College of Management has unveiled the Veterans Entrepreneurial Training Initiative that will provide business-training, education and support to veterans. Data show that an estimated 23,000 of the state’s military veterans are or will soon be self-employed. College ofManagement staff will provide participating veterans with new growth venture planning as well as the expertise of a group of mentors within the Initiative’s Entrepreneur Advisory Board.
Salem College, Winston-Salem: The oldest educational institution for women in the United States, established in 1772, celebrates its inclusion as a full member of the NCAA’s Division III this year. The college unveiled its new athletics logo in August. The college is also launching new sustainability initiatives in the area of dining services. Salem will be one of the first schools to use the “Eco- Clamshell,” a plastic container that can be sanitized and reused. Other initiatives include fair-trade coffee, use of local produce and sustainable seafood.
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