• Welcome Dr. Summer McGee as LR’s 13th President

    Lenoir-Rhyne University Board of Trustees Appoints Dr. Summer McGee as President
    Lenoir-Rhyne University has selected Summer McGee, Ph.D, as the institution’s 13th president. Her appointment was enthusiastically approved by the Lenoir-Rhyne Board of Trustees after a national search.

    Read the Story

Passion and
Purpose Defined

We don’t just offer a world-class education—we offer a community of passionate learners to lift you up and inspire you to become your best self.

Lenoir-Rhyne University Homepage

What kind of student are you?

Named a U.S. News Top 40 School for Social Mobility and Best Value in the South.

97%


Employed or in Grad School

within six months of graduation.

Demarius Hampton, Kyle Duggar and Dr. Doug Knight

LR taught us to use our time wisely and has provided me with a ‘keep moving forward' mentality. And Dr. Knight has always helped show us what we could be.

Demarius Hampton '19, Engineering Physics

$30M


Financial aid awarded to students annually

Making college accessible & affordable.

Hickory Campus


Our picturesque campus serves as the backdrop of our students’ diverse and shared experiences. Our students are leaders, researchers and champions. LR Bears are the heart of this small-college town, and the City of Hickory fosters a thriving community for our students.

Explore Our Hickory Campus

News & Events


See who's making news and what's happening at LR.

A student walks down a sidewalk under flowering trees to the right and Grace Chapel and LR banner visible to the left

The prestigious Carnegie Classifications place LR among a select group of institutions nationwide for focus on professional programs, student access and career outcomes.

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Students in the audience at the 2025 Student Life Awards

A shining night of celebration and community, the Student Life Awards returned to honor the passion, leadership, and spirit that define LR’s campus life.

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Earn a graduate degree on your terms with learning that fits your life.

20+


Graduate Programs

With expert faculty focused on your success.

Hailey Venable

I gained essential hands-on experience during my occupational therapy internships, which helped prepare me for providing acute inpatient rehabilitation as an occupational therapist.

Hailey Venable MS'18

900+


Graduate Students

Three graduate campus locations in two states

Hickory, Asheville & Columbia


Whether it’s reinventing your career, advancing your professional skills or elevating your business, our three locations offer quality academic programs paired with hands-on learning opportunities in cities filled with cultural and civic opportunities.

View Our Locations

News & Events

A student walks down a sidewalk under flowering trees to the right and Grace Chapel and LR banner visible to the left

The prestigious Carnegie Classifications place LR among a select group of institutions nationwide for focus on professional programs, student access and career outcomes.

View More
Students in the audience at the 2025 Student Life Awards

A shining night of celebration and community, the Student Life Awards returned to honor the passion, leadership, and spirit that define LR’s campus life.

View More

We shape the entire person for faithful service to the church and to the world.

ELCA


Only ELCA seminary in the southeastern U.S.

Live your faith through public ministry.

Joshua Wullenweber

LTSS is beautifully diverse and made up of students of every age, race, gender and orientation. I was so thankful to find a great community of faith and learning so close to where I grew up.

Joshua Wullenweber MDiv’20

100%


Faculty who have doctoral degrees

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary


As soon as you arrive at LTSS in beautiful Hickory, North Carolina, you’ll experience what it means to be surrounded by caring and passionate professors and a community atmosphere that is both captivating and supportive.

Learn About LTSS

News & Events

A student walks down a sidewalk under flowering trees to the right and Grace Chapel and LR banner visible to the left

The prestigious Carnegie Classifications place LR among a select group of institutions nationwide for focus on professional programs, student access and career outcomes.

View More
Newly appointed LR president Dr. Summer McGee

Lenoir-Rhyne University has selected Summer McGee, Ph.D, as the institution’s 13th president. Her appointment was enthusiastically approved by the Lenoir-Rhyne Board of Trustees after a national search.

View More