Pfeiffer University News

Pfeiffer President keynotes Stanly Chamber Annual Meeting Jan. 26

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Published on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 ( 10:13 am )

Invites you to its Annual Meeting

“Your Supporting Partner for Economic Success”

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

Stanly Regional Medical Center

Family and Education Center

6 p.m.

 Keynote Speaker is Pfeiffer's Ninth President Michael C. Miller

Tickets are $35 Per Person and Includes a Post-Meeting

Heavy Hors d’oeuvres Reception in the Magnolia Gallery

For Reservations, call (704) 982-8116 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pfeiffer's Dr. Susan Wilkie shares ways to cope with holiday grief

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Published on Thursday, December 09, 2010 ( 11:01 am )

University’s community-based clinic offers confidential, affordable counseling

The holiday season is a merry and exciting time, but for those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, family conflict or the loss of a job during a lagging economy, the usually joyous season can be a difficult and painful reminder. While experts say grief is normal, coping strategies can help people manage their feelings and enjoy the holiday season.

Dr. Susan Wilkie, a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) who specializes in grief and loss and is director of the MFT program at Pfeiffer University, said holidays can be the most feared and confusing time following loss.

“This is an entirely new lens from which one sees the world,” said Wilkie, “The sense of tradition magnifies the loss of connection and roots.”

Experts say that often those who are dealing with loss sometimes feel forced to choose between the need to grieve versus being able to celebrate the spirit of the holidays.

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Pfeiffer students host annual Angel Tree Fest Celebration

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Published on Monday, December 06, 2010 ( 9:25 am )

Pfeiffer students hosted the second annual Angel Tree event and celebration for 41 Stanly County families. Students, student organizations, sport teams, residence halls, academic classes, departments, and faculty and staff sponsored a child and purchased Christmas presents for them.

The Angel Tree Fest Celebration occurred on Wednesday, Dec. 1 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. and included dinner, games, karaoke, face-painting, crafts, dancing, balloon animals, and a visit from Santa Claus. Stanly County children were paired with a Pfeiffer student leader who escorted them around to the various stations. Parents relaxed, and enjoyed community, and friendship in a separate quiet venue. Approximately 70 students and five faculty and staff performed 314 hours of service during this event.

The Angel Tree Fest Celebration gave Pfeiffer students an opportunity to put a face with the name of their chosen “angel.”

“This event brought out the child in all the volunteers in the room, said senior Emily Couch, who served as the Angel Tree program director. “Serving the children was more of an honor for the Pfeiffer community than an obligation.”

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Confucius Institute's visiting Kung Fu masters provide demonstrations during NBA game

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Published on Monday, December 06, 2010 ( 9:09 am )

Last month, during halftime of the Charlotte Bobcats and Houston Rockets game at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, the audience enjoyed a seven-minute demonstration by the Yandong Shaolin Kung Fu Troupe presented by the Confucius Institute at Pfeiffer University. 

The evening’s theme was “Chinese Culture Night,” which integrated Chinese and Western culture. With welcoming applause from the huge audience, the Kung Fu masters entered the court to display the 1,500-year-old tradition of Shaolin Kung Fu, a unique expression of China's Zen Buddhist culture. The masters demonstrated “Animal-Animation-Style Boxing,” “Sword Technique—Chasing the Wind,” and “Shaolin Shuo Demonstration.” The audience was especially amazed by Master Shi Yandong’s “Needle through Glass Technique,” one of the 72 Shaolin unique feats.

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Pfeiffer students help Rowan Helping Ministries assist those in need

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Published on Monday, November 29, 2010 ( 8:40 am )

Pfeiffer students interviewed clients, filled food orders, sorted donations, and stocked the food pantry shelves at Rowan Helping Ministries recently as part of National Hunger & Homelessness Week. The group distributed food to 29 families and completed 50 combined hours of service.

Pfeiffer volunteers included Kelly Buck, Kaleigh Featherstone, Hunter House, Sara Hutchinson, Steven Jordan, Diamond Pate, Kayleigh Peterman, Caitie Smith, Catie Thomas, and staff advisor Jonathan Rowe.

The service project demonstrated to students how fortunate it is to have basic necessities such as housing and food.

“I was really touched being able to work in the food pantry,” said Kaleigh Featherstone. “Every time we had a new order to fill, we tried to make their meal special.” This Saturday of Service event was sponsored by the Francis Center for Servant Leadership.

Rowan Helping Ministries in Salisbury provides assistance in meeting basic human needs for those finding themselves in crisis in Rowan County, N.C. This year, Rowan Helping Ministries will serve more than 70,000 prepared meals in their soup kitchen and shelter. In addition, more than 285,000 pounds of groceries will be distributed to 21,000 individuals.

For more information on how you can get involved, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

- Caitie Smith

 

Pfeiffer students share nursing profession with next generation of health professionals

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Published on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 ( 3:52 pm )

Research reveals that perceptions of careers develop at an early age. To positively influence the next generation of potential health professionals, several groups of students from the Department of Nursing at Pfeiffer University visited some of Stanly County’s youngest citizens recently to share information about the profession of nursing.

Pre-nursing students from Pfeiffer's Introduction to Professional Nursing and Healthcare Technology class recently visited three childcare centers to talk to the preschoolers about nursing.  Students made stops at All Star Learning Center in New London and Sweet Home Child Development Center and Little Friends, both in Albemarle. 

“This semester we have covered the history of nursing, theoretical foundations, and the roles and behaviors of the professional nurse,” explained Dr. Dianne Daniels, assistant professor of nursing and chair of the Department of Nursing at Pfeiffer. “Much of what children learn, unfortunately, is picked up from TV shows or from their own limited contact with healthcare professionals. In class, we discussed the image and public perception of the professional nurse and how negative or erroneous views of the profession might discourage young people from choosing nursing as a career.”

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Pfeiffer to offer MSEE program at RCC's University Center

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Published on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 ( 1:01 pm )

When Randolph Community College President Robert Shackleford announced the University Center of Randolph County in 2008, which offered bachelor's degrees locally for the first time, it was momentous. RCC will make history a second time this spring when it again partners with Pfeiffer University to offer the first master's degree in Randolph County.

"I'm very excited about this development," said Dr. Shackleford during the RCC Board of Trustees' regular meeting on Nov. 18. "Through the University Center of Randolph County, we are able to offer some unprecedented educational opportunities for the people of our county, and this new master's degree is a great step forward for the program."

The Master of Science degree in Elementary Education is for teachers with an elementary license looking to enrich their content knowledge and refine their ability to design and deliver effective instruction, according to Dr. Christopher Boe, director of graduate programs in elementary education at Pfeiffer.

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Pfeiffer University Jazz Ensemble, Combo presents annual fall concert Nov. 30

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Published on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 ( 11:32 am )

The Pfeiffer University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo will present its annual fall concert at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, in the Campus Theatre, which is located on the third floor of the administration building on the university’s Misenheimer campus. The concert is free and open to the public.

Directed by Pfeiffer music faculty members Rusty Smith and David Kirby, the ensemble will present a number of favorites from the jazz ensemble repertoire. The varied program will feature several outstanding student soloists. The group will perform the 1920’s jazz standard “The Creole Love Call” by Duke Ellington, which will feature Robert McKinney, a senior music major from Thomasville, N.C. on trumpet and Steven Beaver, a sophomore music education major from Wallburg, N.C. Kevin Allen, a senior music education major from King, N.C., will be featured along with trombone soloist Josh Carmichael, a senior music education major from Thomasville, N.C., on the tune “Semi-Mental Journey,” composed by Jim Martin as a play off of the song “Sentimental Journey.”

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Pfeiffer presents its annual holiday concert Dec. 5

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Published on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 ( 10:49 am )

Pfeiffer University will usher in the holiday season with its highly-anticipated annual Christmas concert featuring several of the university’s ensembles. The Concert Choir, Handbell Choir, Wind Ensemble, The Chamber Choir, and others will perform traditional Christmas favorites during two separate concerts at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5.

Both performances will be held in the Henry Pfeiffer Chapel on the Misenheimer campus. The concerts are free and open the public. Sponsored by the Department of Music and Fine Arts at Pfeiffer, this year’s annual performance “Lighten Our Darkness: A Christmas Festival” will feature Christmas classics that will uplift and inspire. Some holiday classics and familiar favorites, including “Sleigh Ride,” “Angels,” “We Have Heard on High,” “Carol of the Bells” and “What Child is This?” will be featured. The audience will be encouraged to join the ensembles for Pfeiffer’s annual and ever-popular carol sing-along.

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Pfeiffer junior earns statewide Community Impact Award

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Published on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 ( 9:18 am )

William Wright, a Pfeiffer University junior from Rockingham, N.C., recently received the North Carolina Campus Compact’s (NCCC) fifth Community Impact Student Award. Wright was one of 34 college students across the state who received the award for making significant, innovative contributions to their campus’ efforts to address local community needs.  Awardees also received a Volunteer Certificate of Appreciation from North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue.

A Christian education and youth ministries major, Wright currently serves as the Senior Scholar Program coordinator on the Francis Center Student Leadership Team at Pfeiffer. His duties include supervising, supporting and training student volunteers in the new Pfeiffer Mentors program and co-chairing the student-led planning committees for Campus Week of Dialogue, Hunger and Homelessness Week and Servant Leadership Week.

Wright also serves as the president of the new Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity chapter that promotes volunteer opportunities to the student body. He has been a University Service Scholar since his freshman year and has completed more than 900 community service hours.

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Compendium by Pfeiffer art professor on display through November

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Published on Friday, November 12, 2010 ( 12:08 pm )

The exhibit "Compendium," a summary or abstract containing the essential information in a brief form; concise by comprehensive treatise, by Joshua Cross, assistant professor of art at Pfeiffer, will be on display in the university's Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery throughout November. 

The exhibit is the newest series of artworks by Cross who said the inspiration for the work was planted about eight years ago and the work finally came to fruition over the past year. An artist reception is scheduled from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12 in the gallery, located in Goode Hall on the Misenheimer campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except during special events. For more information, contact Joshua Cross, art gallery director and assistant professor of art at Pfeiffer, at (704) 463-3160 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

Pfeiffer names Michael C. Miller, JD its ninth president

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Published on Thursday, November 11, 2010 ( 12:27 pm )

Veteran banker, attorney, Asheboro resident will become university’s next leader

Pfeiffer University names veteran banker and North Carolina native Michael C. Miller its next president. Miller, 59, will officially begin his new role as the university’s ninth leader on Dec. 1. 

Pfeiffer University Board of Trustees Chairman Greg Hunter officially announced Miller’s appointment. He also thanked the presidential search committee for their service during the four-month selection process. Miller’s appointment was approved by the university’s trustees on Nov. 10 during a special board session.

"Mike's experience as a business leader, attorney, entrepreneur and community advocate has led organizations to success and will expose Pfeiffer to a unique set of leadership skills," Hunter said. "His ties to the region and the state make him uniquely qualified. He possesses the qualities, vision and expertise to lead this institution, and we are excited about Pfeiffer University's future with Mike at the helm."

Miller brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience. The attorney, who was former president and CEO of CommunityONE Bank based in Asheboro, led its growth from a single county bank to an organization with more than $2 Billion in assets with 45 offices in 18 North Carolina counties.

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