News | Lenoir-Rhyne University

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Board of Trustees has renewed the contract of Dr. Fred Whitt, LR president, for a six-year term. The board unanimously approved the new contract at its meeting in November; the contract became effective Jan. 1 and will continue through Jan. 1, 2028.

Hannah Fowler, right, works in a nursing lab with a faculty member, left

Personal experiences inspire student to return to college to pursue nursing degree

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in public health, Hannah Fowler initially thought she was done with school. But, after working in a doctor’s office, she realized her love for the clinical side of health care.

Pastor Todd preaches a sermon inside Grace Chapel to students, faculty and staff

University pastor receives grant to foster community through spirituality

Thanks to a grant from the Kenneth K. and Suzanne G. Millholland Endowment Fund, the Rev. Todd Cutter has been developing new resources for spiritual development for students.

Kids in Koncert celebrates 40 years of instruction and enrichment

With a relationship spanning 40 years, the Kids in Koncert program celebrates a new anniversary and milestones.

Rhyne Building in winter with snow on the ground

Lenoir-Rhyne to require COVID-19 booster shot

Lenoir-Rhyne University will require the COVID-19 booster vaccine for all eligible faculty, staff and students on its Hickory, Asheville and Columbia campuses. Eligible individuals are those who are at least six months beyond the date of their second shot of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine or two months past their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

View of Lenoir-Rhyne University in winter

LR to offer an exploration of race in America in free 14-week online class

Spurred by reaction to The New York Times’ 1619 Project, the academic approach of Critical Race Theory has recently come under fire. Much of the fervor has centered on a misunderstanding of this approach and has led to resistance to exploring the very real influence of race and racism in society at both individual and systemic levels.

A masked student holds out a thank you postcard to the camera

Giving Tuesday 2021 recap

Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates the success of Giving Tuesday, an annual global giving movement for the causes and organizations we care most about

Student writes in condolences book before memorial service for Omari Alexander

LR campus community mourns unexpected death of Omari Alexander

Lenoir-Rhyne University is grieving the loss of one of our student-athletes. Omari Alexander, a 19-year-old sophomore from Concord, North Carolina and member of the LR football team, was killed overnight on November 20 in an off-campus incident in Hickory.

Group of students walking across campus to class

Lenoir-Rhyne to receive $4.3 million from state budget

Lenoir-Rhyne University will receive $4.3 million as part of the North Carolina state budget that was signed into law on November 18.

While wearing a mask, Zakiya Ruth, left, writes on a whiteboard on the table while looking at a student who has her back to the camera.

Education student uses service to others as forefront of experience

Growing up, junior education major Zakiya Ruth was raised to be selfless and help others. Now as part of the Teaching Scholars program, she is tutoring students in the classroom.

Hubbard and Sanford '13 named to Hickory’s Top 10 Under 40

Leah Beth Hubbard, special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives, has been named to this year’s Top 10 Under 40 list by the Hickory Young Professionals.

Noah Jenkins wears a lab coat and safety glasses in an indoor lab

New perspective brought to LR community by veteran

After serving his country as a former medic with the 101st Airborne, Noah Jenkins is paving his way in academics and relationships at LR. With sights on a future career in pharmaceuticals or even more education, he is working toward a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.