The project, titled 鈥淎dvancing Purpose: Building a Community of Shared Vocational Exploration,鈥� will strengthen Pfeiffer鈥檚 commitment to purpose-centered education by reframing vocation and leadership as shared, community-centered responsibilities rather than solely individual pursuits. Through campus-wide engagement, reflection, and dialogue, the initiative will help students more intentionally explore questions of purpose, meaning, and calling in relation to their academic, co-curricular, and community experiences.

The NetVUE Program Development Grant is administered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and made possible through the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. NetVUE (Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) is a nationwide network of colleges and universities dedicated to fostering vocational exploration and discernment among undergraduate students.

鈥淭his initiative reflects 黑料专区鈥檚 mission to prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership,鈥� said President Dr. Scott Bullard. 鈥淲e are grateful for the support of the Council of Independent Colleges and Lilly Endowment Inc. as we deepen our work of vocational exploration across the university and within our surrounding community.鈥�

During Year One, Pfeiffer will host a year-long, campus-wide series of purpose-centered gatherings known as an 鈥淎dvance,鈥� intentionally named to emphasize forward-looking engagement. These gatherings will bring together faculty, staff, coaches, and student leaders to develop a shared vocabulary and vision for integrating vocation and purpose across academic programs, advising, athletics, and campus life.

In Year Two, the initiative will expand beyond campus through a community survey and facilitated focus groups with local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders. These conversations will help align student service-learning opportunities with community-identified needs while deepening students鈥� understanding of vocation through real-world engagement. Additional campus focus groups will guide reflection, assessment, and long-term integration of this work.

鈥淏y embedding vocational reflection into the university鈥檚 general education curriculum, advising practices, and co-curricular programming, Pfeiffer aims to ensure that the impact of this initiative extends well beyond the grant period,鈥� said Dr. Ted Royston, planning team co-chair.

Outcomes will include clearly defined vocation-focused learning goals, community-engaged learning models, and a shared institutional language that helps students articulate who they are becoming and how their education prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Last Name	First Name	City	State
Allen	Joao	Concord	NC
Almond	Jerry	New London	NC
Altamirano	Maria	Mooresville	NC
Anderson	Madeline	Reidsville	NC
Andrews	Mason	Stokesdale	NC
Apostolou Salas	Fanny	Barquisimeto	..
Auman	Natalie	Jackson Springs	NC
Barefoot	Isaac	Garner	NC
Barker	Jacob	Gold Hill	NC
Barnes	Jon	Irmo	SC
Barnes	Hailey	Concord	NC
Bassett	Jenna	Salisbury	NC
Baucom	Onalese	Albemarle	NC
Beaver	Lucas	Thomasville	NC
Belk	Shelby	Marshville	NC
Bellantoni	Christian	Armonk	NY
Bentley	Mallory	Salisbury	NC
Bido	Lily	Coral Springs	FL
Blake	Jordan	Mount Pleasant	NC
Blankenship	Madison	Asheboro	NC
Blevins	Jake	Salisbury	NC
Boger	Lavender	Rockwell	NC
Bolz	Lily	Lexington	NC
Borst	Makayla	Salisbury	NC
Borst	Hayley	Salisbury	NC
Bowman	Abigail	Lenoir	NC
Branca	Quinlan	Mays Landing	NJ
Brandle	Jack	Charlotte	NC
Brandon	Loretta	Durham	NC
Bristol	Thomas	Rockwell	NC
Brown	Andrew	Metarie	LA
Brown	Jaylan	Asheboro	NC
Bruss	Andrew	Concord	NC
Buck	Cayman	Norwood	NC
Bulla	Mollie	Belews Creek	NC
Burgess	Mason	Edgemoor	SC
Burleigh	Sophie	Concord	NC
Burleson	Bricen	Kannapolis	NC
Butner	Ellen	Mebane	NC
Cabaniss-Ali	Lola	Mint Hill	NC
Cabrera Pena	Juan	York	SC
Campbell	Emily	Salisbury	NC
Cannon	Nevaeh	Clayton	NC
Cantini	Niccolo	Capannori (LU)	FC
Cantini	Tommaso	Capannori (LU)	FC
Caranna	Reese	Bend	OR
Carpenter	Reagan	Kannapolis	NC
Carroll	Mindy	High Point	NC
Carroll	Cian	Milford	CT
Carroll	Micah	Salisbury	NC
Caviness	Cohen	Asheboro	NC
Ciccone	Chase	Thomasville	NC
Clendenin	Calissa	Robbins	NC
Cline	Katelyn	Rockwell	NC
Coble	Mckinlee	New London	NC
Coleman	Alim	Harrisburg	NC
Collins	Kadynce	Salisbury	NC
Cooke	Taylor	Winston Salem	NC
Cooper	Charly	Bullock	NC
Cooper	Cameron	New London	NC
Costa de Freitas Balbi Kezen	Hugo	Rio de Janeiro
Cottone	Noah	Concord	NC
Couper	Ella	Harrisburg	NC
Cranford	Hailey	Denton	NC
Crespo	Pierre	Wendell	NC
Crump	Reece	Norwood	NC
顿鈥橝尘补迟辞	Lapo	Rimini	..
Dawkins	Omarion	Charlotte	NC
Deaton	Owen	Rockwell	NC
DeBerry	Mychal	Indian Trail	NC
Denoo	Landon	Fuquay Varina	NC
Dlamini	Nkosinathi	Pietermaritzburg	..
Dozier	Jahari	Charlotte	NC
Drake	Alyson	Concord	NC
Dry	Drake	Richfield	NC
Dualan	Aiden	Carver	MN
Duggan	Bridget	Kernersville	NC
Dula	Dylan	Granite Falls	NC
Duncan	Janyla	Kannapolis	NC
Dycus	Brody	Ashland	VA
Edwards	Mya	Salisbury	NC
Elkins	Caitlyn	Goldston	NC
Evans	Juanita	Aberdeen	NC
Faavesi	Anasty	Rockwell	NC
Faircloth	Savannah	Albemarle	NC
Faircloth	Kayleigh	Albemarle	NC
Faircloth	Skylar	Randleman	NC
Finley	Collin	Stedman	NC
Fisher	Chase	Salisbury	NC
Fletcher	Jeremiah	Brentwood	NY
Fletcher	Owen	Niceville	FL
Flinchum	Madeline	Franklinville	NC
Flores	Anthony	Decatur	GA
Flores Cruz	Sara	Albemarle	NC
Flores Perez	Crysty	Concord	NC
Flores Perez	Yasmin	Concord	NC
Ford	Ariyan	Concord	NC
Foxwell	David	Va Beach	VA
Foxwell	Lukas	Virginia Beach	VA
Francis	Ivye	Denton	NC
Furr	Addison	Albemarle	NC
Galarza Figueroa	Joana	Lexington	NC
Gama	Gabriela	Matthews	NC
Ganesh	Kimberly	Concord	NC
Garro	Drew	Raleigh	NC
Garver	Olivia	Clover	SC
Gatz	Aubrie	Locust	NC
Genao	Evan	Wake Forest	NC
Germain	Claire	Newport	NC
Gillikin	Christopher	Newport	NC
Goldstein	Mackenzie	Bedford	NH
Gonzalez	Ethan	Miramar	FL
Gosnell	Halie	Mount Holly	NC
Gram	Madison	Albemarle	NC
Grandchester	Esther	Raleigh	NC
Griffin	Hailey	Mars Hill	NC
Gunter	Kaileigh	Raleigh	NC
Gunter	Jenna	Concord	NC
Haeg	Brooklyn	Concord	NC
Hairston	Ava	Winston Salem	NC
Hansen	Jonathan	Fort Mill	SC
Harding	Jessica	Richfield	NC
Hartman	Madison	Harrisburg	NC
Heilig	Morgan	Liberty	NC
Henkel	Jacob	Ada	MI
Herman	Kirstyn	Taylorsville	NC
Hollar	Aidan	Taylorsville	NC
Honeycutt	Rylee	Clinton	NC
Hooker	Wesley	Savannah	GA
Hopkins	Tiger	Lewiston	ME
Howard	Victoria	Little River	SC
Howard	SaraKate	Siler City	NC
Huffman	Andrew	Salisbury	NC
Huneycutt	Lannah	Albemarle	NC
Hunt	Chance	Norwood	NC
Hurley	Devin	Troy	NC
Hussey	Kelsey	Bear Creek	NC
Ingenito	Haley	Ridgeland	SC
Iordache	Stefan	Bucharest	..
Isley	Hannah	Rockwell	NC
Isley	Riley	Rockwell	NC
Jaramillo	Jaime	Oakboro	NC
Javier	Joseph	Kannapolis	NC
Johnson	Joshua	Raleigh	NC
Johnson	Kohen	Kings Mountain	NC
Johnson	Morgan	Ramseur	NC
Jones	Joshua	Blainville	QC
Jordan	Anna	Taylorsville	NC
Kidd	Cayley	Bennett	NC
Klotz	Sage	Roanoke Rapids	NC
Krupa	John	Aldie	VA
LaFave	Emma	Jacksonville	NC
Lancaster	Jackson	Concord	NC
Landaverde	Benjamin	Kannapolis	NC
Landaverde	Elisa	Kannapolis	NC
Lane	Peyton	Williamston	NC
Laney	Kennedy	Albemarle	NC
Lauritzen	Jonathan	骋枚迟别产辞谤驳
Lawson	Jeannie	Archdale	NC
Leister	Anakin	Trinity	NC
Lemon	Jaiden	Swansboro	NC
Lentz	Katelyn	Salisbury	NC
Lester	Taylor	Albemarle	NC
Limbert	Seth	Mooresville	NC
Lomax	Madison	Mount Gilead	NC
Lowder	Tierra	Rockwell	NC
Lyons	Rahnier	Ocracoke	NC
Martin	Sara	Concord	NC
Mayhew	Coyt	Statesville	NC
Maynard	Clara	Richfield	NC
McCarthy	Kaylee	Stafford	VA
McDonald	Bethany	Kannapolis	NC
McGrath	Haedyn	Buford	GA
Mecimore	Ben	Oakboro	NC
Michael	Alexander	New Orleans	LA
Michael	Lettie	Lexington	NC
Middelthon	Johan	Davidson	NC
Miller	Lauren	Sailsbury	NC
Miller	Faith	Toccoa	GA
Minus	Jennifer	Dorchester	SC
Miranda Cruz	Jason	Charlotte	NC
Mishak	Hayden	Gold Hill	NC
Moon	Carter	Albemarle	NC
Moore	Rhonda	Salisbury	NC
Moore	Zachary	Indian Trail	NC
Moore	Kendyll	Mooresville	NC
Moore	Haylee	Rockwell	NC
Moran Sanchez	Jonathan	Stanfield	NC
Moretz	Sawyer	Concord	NC
Morgan	Freddie	Albemarle	NC
Morton	Makalyn	Locust	NC
Mosteller	Mason	Hildebran	NC
Mougin	Maya	Blue Ridge	VA
Mowrey	Meagan	Denver	NC
Nance	Ellasen	Cleveland	NC
Nash	McKynzy	Indian Trail	NC
Nelson	Grace	Sanford	NC
Nguyen	Quang	Chicago	IL
North	Tatum	King	NC
Olsen	Shane	Charlotte	NC
Oporto Lujan	Mateo
Osborne	Jacob	HIckory	NC
Owens	Robert	Thomasville	NC
Page	Kirstyn	King	NC
Palmer	Tryle	Unionville	NC
Pardue	Joshua	Siloam	NC
Parra-Cordero	Mia	Salisbury	NC
Perdue	Kyler	Asheboro	NC
Perry	Emma	Rockingham	NC
Petzel	Dawson	Godwin	NC
Powell	Cannon	Harrisburg	NC
Pratt	Ozzie	Wingate	NC
Profitt	Lindsey	Newton	NC
Quesenberry	Lydia	Mount Pleasant	NC
Rangolan	Ethan	Monroe	NC
Rauer	Laurin	Melle	..
Reeder	Rachel	Betsy Layne	KY
Reeder	Wyatt	New London	NC
Reese	Jackson	Bluffton	SC
Riley	Lucas	Thomasville	NC
Rinderle	Logan	Erie	PA
Rios Serrano	Diego	Durham	NC
Rocha	Jacob	St Petersburg	FL
Rodriguez	Saul	Concord	NC
Rodriguez	Genis	Les Franqueses del Valles
Safrit	Samuel	China Grove	NC
Saunders	Sara	Denton	NC
Scott	Marion	Mebane	NC
Shelton	Joseph	Reidsville	NC
Sides	Renick	China Grove	NC
Sides	Emmalyn	China Grove	NC
Siler	Isabella	Thomasville	NC
Simmons	Kamryn	Ellerbe	NC
Sloan	Zachary	Zebulon	NC
Smith	Joseph	Denton	NC
Smith	Zoe	Mount Pleasant	NC
Smith	Madison	Albemarle	NC
Soriano Torres	Dayanara	Concord	NC
Spangler	Gracie	Clinton	SC
Spencer	Khamani	Indian Trail	NC
Spencer	Kamryn	Indian Trail	NC
Steffel	Kaitlyn	N Forest Lake	MN
Stem	Larson	Advance	NC
Stennett	Kayleigh	Kannapolis	NC
Stewart	Landry	China Grove	NC
Stewart	Makenna	Madison	NC
Stewart	Drake	Simpsonville	SC
Sucarichi	Sean	Coral Springs	FL
Sullivan	Megan	Albemarle	NC
Swaim	Hailey	Thomasville	NC
Tardiff	Mason	Peterborough	ON
Tate	Madison	Lexington	NC
Tejeda Gonzalez	Kevin	Rock Hill	SC
Thomas	Jada	Charlotte	NC
Thompson	Bethany	Albemarle	NC
Tomlinson	Morgan	Gold Hill	NC
Trull	Zivah	Richfield	NC
Tucker	Katherine	Salisbury	NC
van Bergeijk	Aristide	Groningen
Vang	Skyler	Albemarle	NC
Vanhoy	Caroline	New London	NC
Varner	Madison	Trinity	NC
Vaughn	Heather	Graham	NC
Velazquez Perez	Mark	Salisbury	NC
Venable	Brayden	King	NC
Vinson	Neely	Salisbury	NC
Wagoner	Virginia	Misenheimer	NC
Washington	Zoe	New London	NC
Wellman	Jayden	Kannapolis	NC
West	Emily	Asheboro	NC
Whitehead	Carson	Ramseur	NC
Wingard	Nevaeh	Concord	NC
Wise	Meredith	Albemarle	NC
Wolfe	Austyn Grace	Winston Salem	NC
Wood	Robert	Dallas	NC
Wright	Molly	Harrisburg	NC
Wright	Jaiden	Leland	NC
Wyatt	Rachel	Stoneville	NC
Wyatt	Emma	Kannapolis	NC
Xie	You	Fayetteville	NC
Yopp	Caleb	Christiansbrg	VA
York	Matthew	Charlotte	NC
Yow	Geneva	Waxhaw	NC

Among the standout performances, Lola Cabaniss鈥慉li 鈥�26 placed sixth in the Future Business Executive event, which evaluates participants on leadership development, management concepts, and professional readiness. Vanessa Garcia Flores 鈥�26 earned a fourth鈥憄lace finish in Computer Applications, showcasing advanced technical proficiency and efficiency in business software tools. Kobin Hamilton 鈥�26 secured third place in Business Law, demonstrating strong analytical skills and a comprehensive understanding of legal principles affecting modern business practices.

These achievements reflect 黑料专区鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning and student involvement in professional organizations. As a result of their state鈥憀evel success, all three students have qualified to advance to the FBLA鈥慍ollegiate National Leadership Conference, which will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in June. At the national conference, they will compete against top collegiate FBLA members from across the country.

 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of these students and the dedication they demonstrated throughout the competition process,鈥� said Tina Preslar, club advisor for 黑料专区鈥檚 FBLA chapter. 鈥淭heir success is a testament to their hard work, academic preparation, and commitment to professional growth. We are excited to see them represent 黑料专区 on the national stage.鈥�

Keith Troutman 鈥�79 and Troutman Enterprises of Concord, NC, are sponsors of the Pfeiffer team鈥檚 national competition travel. Other community partners, alumni, and supporters who wish to invest in student leadership development and academic excellence are welcome to also serve as trip sponsors. Those interested in learning more about how to support 黑料专区鈥檚 FBLA chapter may contact Jo Ellen Newsome, VP for Institutional Advancement at joellen.newsome@pfeiffer.edu or 704-463-3222.

This public event will take place on Friday, March 20^th from 10 鈥� 11 a.m. in Merner Gymnasium on the campus of 黑料专区 at 48380 US Hwy 52 N, Misenheimer, NC 28109. Doors will open at 8 a.m. and large bags and backpacks will not be allowed.

Senator Tillis has represented North Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is currently the state鈥檚 senior senator. His Senate service spans nearly a decade in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including four years as Speaker of the House. Known for his pragmatic and solutions鈥慺ocused approach, Tillis has played key roles in areas ranging from judiciary matters and veterans鈥� affairs to banking, housing, and international trade. He has also served on several Senate committees that shape major national policies. Throughout his Senate tenure, Senator Tillis has built a reputation for working across the aisle on issues such as mental health, infrastructure, veterans鈥� services, and bipartisan legislative initiatives. His willingness to engage thoughtfully with complex policy challenges and to do so in ways that invite discussion rather than division aligns with the values of Pfeiffer.

Senator Tillis鈥檚 personal story also embodies themes that resonate with the Pfeiffer community. Raised in a working鈥慶lass family that moved frequently as his parents sought work, he began his career earning minimum wage before completing his college degree as an adult and rising to executive leadership roles in the private sector. His trajectory from modest beginnings to national leadership offers a compelling platform for reflection on perseverance, civic responsibility, and service.

黑料专区 is honored to welcome Senator Tillis as the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series guest. His experiences in public life and commitment to respectful dialogue promise to inspire meaningful engagement for the campus community and guests.

Students enter the program with an average of 3,125 direct patient care hours, acquired through positions including medical assistant, scribe, EMT/paramedic, certified nursing assistant, phlebotomist, patient care technician, and athletic trainer. The cohort also averaged 180 physician assistant shadowing hours.

Students range in age from 22 to 31, with anaverage age of 25. The class is 72% female and 28% maleand includes six first-generation college students. One student is a 黑料专区 graduate.

The cohort reflects both strong in-state representation and national reach. Twenty-three of the 28 students are North Carolina residents, with others coming from California, Florida, Illinois, and Michigan. Twenty students earned undergraduate degrees from North Carolina institutions, and the program received applications from 40 of the 50 U.S. states during the most recent admissions cycle.

Common undergraduate majors include Biology, Health Science, Exercise Science, Biological Sciences, and Psychology, with one student entering the program holding a master鈥檚 degree. Top feeder institutions represented include UNC鈥揅hapel Hill, NC State University, UNC Charlotte, East Carolina University, and UNC Wilmington. UNC Charlotte has historically been the program鈥檚 leading feeder institution.

Caylee Clayton, from Norwood, NC, and a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, stated, 鈥淚 chose 黑料专区鈥檚 Physician Assistant program for its strong community and excellence in PA education, and I look forward to expanding my clinical knowledge as I grow to become a capable and compassionate provider for my future patients”

鈥淭his class reflects the academic strength, depth of character, clinical readiness, and commitment to service that defines Pfeiffer鈥檚 Physician Assistant Program,鈥� said Dr. Christopher Boe, Dean of the Graduate School. 鈥淲e are proud to welcome these students and look forward to supporting them as they prepare to serve patients in and around the community.鈥� The 黑料专区 Physician Assistant Program is based in Albemarle, NC, at the Center for Health Sciences, and prepares graduates for patient-centered clinical practice through rigorous academics, hands-on training, and a mission-driven approach to healthcare education.

She鈥檚 pursuing a B.S. degree in Business Management and Leadership with a double concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship, and she鈥檚 minoring in accounting. She鈥檚 also begun finding economical ways to dress for success, having acquired several items of professional attire at no cost from the Trendy Falcon, a career clothing closet located in the Welcome Center on Pfeiffer鈥檚 campus in Misenheimer, N.C.

Closet items include suits, ties, dress shirts, skirts, dress pants, and even professional bags. Lawson has worn her attire at several job interviews, and she also plans to enhance her wardrobe for internships she鈥檚 recently secured.

鈥淚鈥檝e visited the Trendy Falcon multiple times, and each time I鈥檝e been impressed with how many options were available to me,鈥� said Lawson, who hopes to start and become the financial manager of a marketing business and other ventures.

鈥淭he impact has been amazing because it gave me the confidence to walk into professional settings looking prepared, polished, and capable. It also helped relieve the stress of not having to worry about what to wear, allowing me to focus more on my coursework and presentation skills.鈥�

Lawson added that she鈥檚 often required to wear business attire for marketing classes taught by Dr. Raushan Gross, Associate Professor of Business Management & Leadership. She has incorporated the Trendy Falcon into a class marketing project, in which she recommended the service to classmates and had some of them try on items as part of the presentation.

鈥淎 few students took my advice and have since used the Trendy Falcon for their own professional needs,鈥� she said.

The Trendy Falcon began operating a few years ago and is stocked with clothing donated* by staff, faculty, and alumni. Joseph Smith, a Criminal Justice and History major who plans to graduate from Pfeiffer next year, said he鈥檚 acquired several shirts from the service that have made him feel 鈥渕ore professional and serious鈥� during a work-study stint at Pfeiffer鈥檚 library and at the Albemarle (N.C.) Police Department, where he has participated in ride-alongs and helped file paperwork. He appreciates the fact that the Trendy Falcon is much more convenient than shopping in clothing stores at distant malls.

The Trendy Falcon is run by Sharon Robinson, Pfeiffer鈥檚 Director of Career Services and Internships, who is available by appointment to assist students with the selection of clothing items. Similar services have caught on at several other universities, including Western Carolina University, N.C. State University, and Fayetteville State University.

Robinson plugged two advantages of the Trendy Falcon. First, because it鈥檚 free, students can 鈥済et off the ground鈥� in terms of acquiring suitable clothing that might otherwise be out of reach financially for them.

鈥淪ome students don鈥檛 always have the resources to purchase these kinds of things, so it gives them what they need to at least get the job,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淎nd then once they have the job, they would have some money for one or two suits, if they need them, or for more business casual attire.鈥�

Second, Robinson offers students a bit of guidance on what to wear for an interview as a part of the process.

鈥淭hey aren鈥檛 always sure what to wear to an interview,鈥� Robinson said. 鈥淪o it鈥檚 nice to have a place where they can go and see what鈥檚 there and what it looks like and choose something that will work for them.鈥�

*Interested in making a donation to the Trendy Falcon? Please contact Sharon Robinson at sharon.robinson@pfeiffer.edu for more information.

The Knapps have also made resources available for painting and small repair projects in Merner, Rowe, and Cline Hall, and they鈥檝e supported the summertime transformation of the Francis Scholars Lounge in the Henry Pfeiffer Chapel into a room where the University鈥檚 Francis Scholars, commuting students, and others can relax and study between classes in a space designated for them. The Lounge space will also support religious life on campus by serving as a meeting space for small group Bible study and other gatherings.

鈥淲arren and Fran Knapp support Pfeiffer in so many ways, year in and year out. They value education and care deeply about our students, and they really are partners in Pfeiffer鈥檚 work. We are so very grateful for their investment in these important campus spaces,鈥� said Jo Ellen Newsome, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

The residence hall parlor updates included the replacement or update of dining tables and chairs, soft seating, and rugs, making these spaces more appealing to current students and their visiting families. The facelifts will also improve the first impression that Pfeiffer makes on prospective students.

The upgraded Francis Center Lounge involved a complete reimagining of classroom space in the Chapel, including new paint and d茅cor as well as seating and other furnishings. The University Chaplain鈥檚 office is located next door to the Lounge, and together they will serve as a hub for student activity and a centralized physical space for campus religious life.  

鈥淧feiffer has been such an incredibly important part of our lives. We want to help provide an environment that supports a positive experience for the University鈥檚 students, and this is one way for us to do that,鈥� Warren Knapp said of the enhancements.

The Knapps did their homework. They worked closely with Pfeiffer鈥檚 chaplain, Rev. Kris Mares, Director of Alumni Engagement Ashley Burleson, and Pfeiffer鈥檚 facilities staff to determine needs and ensure that the project timelines stayed on track. They toured each of the North campus residence halls and noted what might need an upgrade and where enhancements should be added. Fran Knapp personally selected upholstery fabrics and colors that will be durable and comfortable, and when the furniture shipment arrived on campus, they were on site to ensure that everything was perfectly appointed. 鈥淭his was a labor of love for us,鈥� Fran Knapp said. 鈥淲e are so excited that the students who live in these residence halls and relax in the Francis Center Lounge will have comfortable new spaces to enjoy. We imagine that many life-long friendships will be made in these areas.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 very driven,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I get my mind set on something, I do my best to make it happen.鈥�

At 黑料专区, where she majored in Biology, Bowers put herself in the best possible position to secure a spot at a veterinary school beginning in August of 2026. She鈥檚 applying to five schools in the Southeast and will learn which programs have accepted her in the spring of 2026.

And at summer鈥檚 end, taking advantage of a 鈥済ap鈥� between graduating from Pfeiffer this past May and starting graduate school in about 14 months, she鈥檒l head to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla., where she鈥檒l work until January as an intern in the .

鈥淚鈥檝e always been a big Disney fan,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 went to Disney World for the first time during my sixth-grade year and just fell in love with it. And when I learned about the College Program a few years later, it sounded so awesome that I just had to participate in that as well.鈥�

Bowers credits her interest in becoming a veterinarian to her love of dogs. She has three of them at home and loves caring for them. She arrived at Pfeiffer as a sophomore, having completed freshman-level courses at Stanly (N.C.) Community College while she was still at North Stanly High School.

Attending Pfeiffer appealed to Bowers for several reasons. Her mother, Erin Wilhelm Bowers, is a member of the Class of 2001 and recommended it highly, as did her grandfather, Jim Wilhelm 鈥�69.

Mary Beth Bowers also liked the fact that the University鈥檚 campus was close to home: 鈥淧feiffer was down the street,鈥� Bowers said. 鈥淚 could get the college education I wanted but still live at home as a commuting student and be involved in the life of my younger sister Lainey and in what the rest of my family was doing.鈥�

While at Pfeiffer, Bowers took full advantage of a winning combination of faculty support and challenging academics related to her major as well as opportunities to intern with and/or shadow three veterinarians, each of whom pursued a different specialty.

Bowers lauded her advisor, Dr. Laura Reichenberg, an Associate Professor of Biology at Pfeiffer who also chairs its Department of Natural and Health Sciences.

鈥淒r. Reichenberg had a huge impact on my time at Pfeiffer from the beginning,鈥� Bowers said. 鈥淲e discussed that I wanted to go to vet school and she helped guide me on the path that I needed to be on, in terms of the courses that I should take and the research I pursued.鈥�

The research that Bowers completed would culminate in a project that she did as both a Milton Rose Scholar and as an Honors Scholar. It was on display at the last George Pfeiffer Research Symposium, which took place this past April in Harris Science Hall, where undergrad symposium participants stood by displays of their posters and discussed their work with guests. The project, which will almost certainly interest the veterinary schools to which Bowers is applying, investigated the impact of different dog foods on gut bacteria, with the aim of determining which type of food benefits canine health the most. She did this by employing molecular and microbiological techniques on stool samples from dogs.

As excited as she is to intern at Disney World, Bowers did consider attending veterinary school right after Pfeiffer. But given the application windows of most veterinary schools, that would have meant applying sometime between January of her junior year and September of her senior year, with admissions decisions coming during the following spring.

As her junior year was ending, Bowers felt she needed to include richer, more diverse intern/shadowing experiences for her resume and on her applications for veterinary schools — beyond the 鈥渟mall-animal experience鈥� she had gained over several years as a receptionist/kennel technician under Dr. James Link鈥檚 supervision at the . So, she decided to wait until late spring of this year to apply to veterinary schools and used her senior year to gain large-animal experience by shadowing Dr. Jonathan Wesson at Rocky Creek Veterinary Services in Olin, N.C. She also shadowed Dr. Kay Dodson 鈥�99 and other veterinarians who practice emergency medicine at in Kannapolis, N.C. Dodson was the subject of a recent alumni profile in Pfeiffer鈥檚 鈥淔orever Falcons鈥� publication. 鈥淎ll of these experiences will help set my resume and applications apart,鈥� Bowers said. She now feels much the same way about her upcoming work at Disney, which she鈥檚 now also able to mention in her applications to veterinary schools.

鈥淎 common misconception about veterinarians is that they just deal with animals all day long,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut people forget that those animals have owners, so that鈥檚 who you deal with a lot as well. Owners of pets are rightly concerned about them, and they can get upset very easily. Doing Disney鈥檚 College Program will definitely enhance my customer service skills and my ability to handle the public and talk to them.鈥�