The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations are based in Jacksonville, Florida and are a national philanthropic organization established through the generosity of the late American Industrialist, Arthur Vining Davis.

From their founding, the Foundations have been strongly committed to the support of private higher education in America. Trustees of the Foundations have concentrated on privately governed and supported four-year, residential, liberal arts institutions, which place strong emphasis on teaching and whose students choose majors primarily in the arts and sciences rather than career or vocational studies.

Dr. Wayne B. Powell, Lenoir-Rhyne University president, noted, “Arthur Vining Davis recognizes our commitment to the sciences.  We thank them for enabling us to secure much needed scientific equipment for use in both the classroom and the laboratory.”

Trustees of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations target schools of broadly acknowledged academic excellence and that have a solid record of financial strength to receive their grants.

Dr.  Powell observed, “Arthur Vining Davis compliments us tremendously by their grant award, especially when recognizing that their grants are often awarded to much larger teaching and research universities with a distinguished  reputation for excellence in undergraduate education.  The decision of the Trustees reminds us that Lenoir-Rhyne is moving in the right direction with our academic accomplishments.”

The public is invited to come to the top of the Minges Science Building where several telescopes will be set up in addition to the 12.5 inch Cassegrain telescope in the observatory dome.  To access the rooftop observatory, enter the building then take the elevator to the 4^th floor and come up the steps.

Sights to be seen include a beautiful first quarter moon, a last look at Jupiter and its moons for the summer, a good look at Saturn and its moons, plus sparkling Venus as an evening star. Should weather not permit observing, an alternate program will be offered in room Minges 118 for those interested.

New gifts to the Chapel, the Science wing and the University’s endowment made up the increase. The Co-Chairs of the Campaign Committee, trustee Jerome Bolick and alumnae Madeleine Dassow ‘75, were encouraged with the progress made since the committee’s last meeting. “Make no mistake about it,” said Dassow, “the remaining challenge is greater than any one person or any one group.” When asked about the excitement and commitment needed to reach the goal she said, “We, the alumni, community, and friends of L-R will have to join hands to accomplish our fundraising objective, and today’s progress report reflects that we are seeing a joint effort coming to fruition.”

Some of the benefits of the University Rising Campaign are already visible to the campus and the community. The Moretz Sports Complex, made possible through the generosity of John and Marilyn Moretz, has met many of the athletic and fitness needs for Lenoir-Rhyne students, athletes, and community members. Construction of the new Chapel is also underway with the anticipated completion of the project in the fall of 2014. Another tangible benefit being felt by students and their families deals with the University’s effort to meet the rising cost of higher education. With over 92% of Lenoir-Rhyne students receiving some form of institutional aid, the Campaign has focused on securing annual gifts for student scholarships (through The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne), along with endowed and planned gifts targeted for scholarships and programmatic support. To date, the Campaign has secured current and future funding for scholarships and programs totaling $35 million.

There is also significant news concerning the science building.  The University has raised $6.7 million, or 44% of the funds needed to construct the new science wing. Bolick, Dassow and University President Dr. Wayne Powell all reiterated that of all of the construction projects in the campaign, the University has raised more money for the science building than for any of the other projects.

Master’s Degree Hooding and Commencement will take place on Thursday, May 9^th at 7:00 p.m. in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium.

At these ceremonies, 230 students will receive their undergraduate degrees and 70 students will receive a master’s degree.

Those being honored on Friday are Michael K. Dugan, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters; the Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Miller, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Divinity; and George A. Moretz, who will be awarded the Trustee Award.  

Michael K. Dugan is a successful business leader, teacher, and community supporter. He has served the university for almost two decades in a variety of meaningful ways. Dugan’s service to the university began with his membership on the Visiting Writers Series Steering Committee, where he still serves with distinction and provides ongoing leadership.

Soon after joining the Steering Committee, Dugan assumed the role of Alex Lee Professor of Business and chairman of the Charles M. Snipes School of Business from 2006 until 2012. Dugan drew upon his entrepreneurial talents when he added a lecture series program that brought in nationally known speakers to inspire the students and community. He also worked with the university’s Business Council building bridges with the local community to afford students the opportunities of interacting with professionals in their fields.

Dugan has chaired the Frye Regional Medical Center Board as well as serving on several other boards including WFAE Radio Board, Hickory Museum of Art Board, American Furniture Manufacturers Association Board, National Association of Furniture Manufacturers Board, USC School of Retailing Advisory Board, 3M Company Advisory Panel, and Furniture Foundation Board.

Dugan served as CEO of Henredon Furniture Industries, Morganton, NC from 1987-2004. Using his deep understanding of the furniture business world that he worked in most of his life, Dugan wrote the book Furniture Wars in 2009.

Dugan earned his Masters in Business Administration from Syracuse University and his Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto.

Dr. Wayne Powell, president of Lenoir-Rhyne, said of Dugan, “As one of the most respected business leaders in the community, many seek him out for advice and support. He has distinguished himself as businessman, author, educator, philanthropist, public servant, and family man.”

The Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Miller served as president of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in Columbia, SC from 2006 until 2012. Before coming to LTSS, he served as bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, having been elected to that post in 1995. He has pastored two congregations: The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brooklyn, OH from 1979-1995 and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, NY, 1973-1979.

Deeply committed to the ecumenical life of the Church, Dr. Miller served as the Chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops Ecumenical Committee from 2001-2006. He participated in Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson’s ecumenical journey to Geneva, Rome, and London in 2002 and served as an official observer at the signing of the Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification in Augsburg, Germany in 1999. He was also a signatory to Ecumenical Covenants with the Catholic Dioceses of Youngstown and Cleveland and the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio in 1999 and 2000. He has served on the boards of Directors for Trinity Seminary and Wittenberg University and has chaired the Board of the Pastoral Psychology Institute, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.

Dr. Miller earned the Doctor of Ministry and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from New York Theological Seminary in 1978 and 1980. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO with a Master of Divinity in 1971 and received his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN in 1967.

“Marcus shared a bold and innovative vision for the future of the church,” explained Dr. Powell. “He had a pivotal role in bringing about the merger between the seminary and the university.  In this and many other areas he has been a national leader of our church and we are privileged to be able to honor him.”

George A. Moretz and his family have been most generous supporters of Lenoir-Rhyne for many years. He has served in leadership roles for the LR Board of Trustees for 18 years including board vice chair, Executive Committee, Promotion & Development Committee, Finance & Investment, and the Buildings & Grounds Committee. He was a founding member of the LR Business Council and has served on the Piedmont Educational Foundation, as well as a number of Lenoir-Rhyne fundraising campaigns.

In addition to his service to LR, he is one of the most effective civic leaders in the Catawba Valley. His leadership for the Piedmont Council BSA, Rotary, United Way, YMCA, Science Center, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and many others has made a difference in the lives of thousands of people in our community.

“George, like his parents before him, believes in giving back. He has seen the impact Lenoir-Rhyne has had on the Hickory area and continues to support our endeavors.  The Trustee Award is the highest service award granted by Lenoir-Rhyne, and I can think of no one who deserves it more that George Moretz,” commented Dr. Powell. “

Moretz retired as COB of Carolina Mills, Inc. in Maiden in 2008. He continues to serve as Chairman of the Board and Secretary of Carolina Mills. He is currently the president of the Moretz Family Foundation. Moretz graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelors of Science in Textile Management.

Honorary degrees are awarded to persons of outstanding character and personality who have a) distinguished themselves for scholarship or literary achievement, or b) won professional or other distinction, or c) rendered conspicuous service in some particular field. The Trustee Award is presented to persons of outstanding character and personality who have rendered noteworthy service to Lenoir-Rhyne University.

HICKORY, N.C. — The Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus will present its spring concert on Sunday, April 28^th, 4:00 pm at First Baptist Church in Hickory.  This concert will mark the 17^th spring concert of the group, founded in 1997 by Florence Jowers as part of the Sacred Music Program of Lenoir-Rhyne University.  Over 1,000 area youth have sung in this choir, which presently has about 100 members in three ensembles.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The week prior to the spring concert, the Meistersingers of the L-R Youth Chorus will tour in North Carolina and Virginia from April 19^th – 22^nd.  They will sing at First Baptist Church, Henderson, NC; historic Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA; First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, VA; and at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, VA during their weekend tour. 

Their repertoire includes pieces by Brahms, Haydn, and Holst, as well as spirituals, folksongs, and pieces by John Rutter, Herbert Sumsion, Dan Forrest and others.  They will include a piece in memory of the children who were killed in the Newtown, CT tragic shooting last December.

Their spring program also includes the Howard Goodall setting of Psalm 23, which was used as the them song in the British television comedy “The Vicar of Dibley”.  They will be premiering “A World We Cannot See”, a piece they and forty other choirs have commissioned from Jim Papoulis, proceeds from which will go to support Chorus America.  Also to be performed are two pieces by David Brunner that the choir learned and performed in Denver last summer for the “Sing a Mile High Festival”.  Two pieces from this festival will be performed with “choralography”, a concept developed by Yvonne Farrow, an actress/choreographer from Los Angeles who worked with the choirs in Denver.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus is in its 17^th year, founded and directed by L-R professor of music Florence Jowers.  The Meistersingers is the advanced touring  choir, made up primarily of middle and high school treble voices.  The accompanist is Freda Herrell.  The choir has participated in a festival in Canterbury, England, and was invited to sing the Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral and at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.  On that tour, the choir also performed to a standing ovation at the Church of the Madeline in Paris.

This spring tour marks the third tour in Virginia for the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus, and the second time they will have sung in Bruton Parish.  Other tours have been to Florida, North and South Carolina, the Bahamas, and New York City.

For more information about auditioning for the choir, please contact the director, Florence Jowers, at 828.328.7195.

Undergraduate student presentations begin at 1:00pm, followed by keynote speaker, Loreen N. Olson, Ph.D. at 4:45pm. Graduate level students will present their presentations beginning at 6:00pm.

Dr. Olson will speak on, Ethical Dilemmas of Student-Faculty Research: Confessions of a Dark Side Researcher. While discussing her student research collaborations, Dr. Olson will discuss numerous ethical dilemmas she has encountered as a researcher of the dark side of personal relationships.  Stories of successful negotiations and the lessons learned will be highlighted.

Student presentations and poster sessions topics may include: prevalence of obesity in adolescent asthma patients, cycles in elections, comparison of iron supplement tablets, the infamous pirate of Lincoln County, neonatal APGAR scores, experiences of mothers who use “Kangaroo Mother Care,” abstracts dealing with works of literature, representations of history, and more.

Creative presentations include the readings of original plays and short stories as well as the performance and discussion of music. An Honors Thesis Competition will also be held during this event with papers in areas as diverse as music, history, and health.

Dr. Madsen will attempt to address the questions, “What is sustainability? Is this a new concept?” Drawing on the history of Planet Earth, this presentation will use microbial diversity and ecology to demonstrate that sustainability has forever been essential for the biosphere to function. The metabolic versatility of microorganisms (especially Bacteria and Archaea) is nothing short of astounding.  New, ongoing discoveries emerge frequently, even in 2013. He will review how resourcefulness in microorganisms allows them to “make a living” and show how the results of intermingled microbial processes lead to ecological resilience- an important aspect of sustainability. There may be lessons here for human behavior.

Dr. Madsen has written over 80 articles in peer reviewed journals and has authored two books, Environmental Microbiology: From Genomes to Biogeochemistry and Parade of Unconventional Voices: Cartoons of Art, Humor, and Philosophy.

This event is sponsored by the Lenoir-Rhyne Steelman Lecture Series and the Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources.

HICKORY, N.C. — The Lenoir-Rhyne University Jazz Ensemble, consisting of students and community members, will present their spring concert on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:30pm in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium.  The program will include standard and contemporary works for big band.

Directed by Patrick Brown, the LR Jazz Ensemble is at once both a lab band dedicated to furthering students’ abilities to play jazz and other popular styles, and an active performing ensemble.  The Jazz Ensemble is a reorganization of the “stage band” tradition, performing diverse styles of music including swing, bebop, blues, funk, Latin, and popular song. Membership in the Jazz Ensemble is open to all Lenoir-Rhyne University students and community members by audition.

The Newman Civic Fellows award is given to students who demonstrate inspiration and dedication to civic engagement within their community. Newman Civic Fellows are students who have shown a drive throughout their college career to finding solutions to challenges facing surrounding communities. Through their service and understanding Newman Civic Fellows demonstrate lasting change.

Lenoir-Rhyne places a high priority on civic engagement and Joshua Mackey has been a student leader in this area since his arrival on campus.  His extensive civic engagement experiences have served as a model servant leadership to other students. As part of the Black Student Alliance as Vice President, Josh and the group honored Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by volunteering at local organizations and participating in service activities for the community. From organizing the tools and materials needed for packaged experiments used by local elementary schools, to cleaning and organizing the products sold at the Warehouse Resource Center where proceeds go to supporting the community women’s shelter, Josh has organized and encouraged students to be involved in these activities.

Not only is Josh an inspiration for other students to engage in community outreach and service, but he is also an advocate for non-profit business management and public administration. He is a firm believer in diversity within these facets and wants to work to bring diversity into the management level of non-profits. Through his role as a course assistant he has assisted in teaching classes on diversity, economics, and political issues. He plans to continue his work by attending graduate school in public administration.

Josh was nominated for this award by the president of the University, Dr. Wayne Powell. “Josh has been an outstanding leader during his time at LR.  Becoming a Newman Civic Fellow is a unique, and very special honor. Josh and the others receiving this award represent the next generation of public problem solvers and civic leaders,” said Dr. Powell. He continued, “They serve as national examples of the role that higher education can—and does—play in building a better world.”

This year’s Newman Civic Fellows represent 180 Campus Compact member colleges and universities from 36 states. The award honors student leaders committed to creating lasting change. It is presented in honor of Dr. Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact’s founders, who was a tireless advocate for the role of higher education in preparing students for active and engaged citizenship.

Rules is the story of Catherine, an artist and writer of rules, as she learns the difference between fitting in and real acceptance over her summer vacation. She navigates friendship with the new neighbor girl, struggles with parents and her brother, bullying from the kid down the street, and a transformative relationship with Jason who uses a wheelchair and a communication board.

Some people think they know who you are, but really they don’t.

The cast and crew feature several area high school students as well as LR students:

• Catherine – Charity Simmons (Senior, Theatre major, Hickory NC)
• Jordan Makant (High School student, Hickory NC)
• Anthony Chambers (Senior, Theatre major, Claremont NC)
• Brittany King (Freshman, Theatre major, High Point NC)
• Hannah P. Simmons (Senior, Theatre & English majors, Hickory NC)
• Cody Stuckenschneider (Freshman, Theatre major, Winston-Salem NC)
• Stage Manager – Jamie Julian (Junior, Art major, Claremont NC)
• Assistant Stage Manager – Hannah Makant (High School student, Hickory NC)

The performances at Lenoir-Rhyne will last approximately one hour. The production is appropriate for all ages and offers an opportunity to discuss literature, performance, and assumptions about disability. The lobby will feature an art exhibit by students from Conover Special Education School. All performances will be held in the Belk Centrum on campus. Performance details are: Wednesday, April 17; Thursday, April 18; and Friday, April 19 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 20 at 2:30 and 7:30pm. Tickets are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and non-LR students, and free for L-R students with ID. Reservations can be made online at theatre.lr.edu or 800-328-PLAY.