A generous gift from Irwin Belk gave the University a 12 foot tall statue of Martin Luther in October of 2010. The statue is believed to be the largest statue of Martin Luther in the world.
The merger between Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina and Lenoir-Rhyne University became official in July 2012. In August of the same year, the LRU Center for Graduate Studies in Asheville, North Carolina opened its doors to students.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the construction of the new chapel in March 2013. Located in the heart of campus, Grace Chapel was dedicated on November 21, 2014.
The LR football team finished second in the NCAA Division II National Football Championship. The game, played on December 21, 2013, in Florence, Alabama, was televised by ESPN.
The University Rising campaign finished in March 2015 with $66 million raised. In August of the same year, the Minges Science Building addition held its groundbreaking. The addition was named Alex and Lee George Hall.
The 2015 academic year marked the 125th anniversary of the institution. "A Fair Star Rises" was produced to commemorate the tradition and history of our campus community.
In January 2016, Lenoir-Rhyne opened its doors to the new Wayne B. Powell Health Sciences Center and welcomed its inaugural class for the Physician Assistant Studies Program.
Kim Pate was named the director of intercollegiate athletics on March 1, 2016. She replaced Neill McGeachy, who resigned after 14 years of service.
President Donald Trump visited LR's campus in March 2016 while campaigning for the 2016 presidential election. Although LR endorses no political candidates, the institution is founded on principles that firmly support open civil discourse and the free exchange of ideas.
In the fall of 2016, the Spirt of LR Marching Band took the field for the first time since the early 1990s. Neil Underwood was appointed as the band's director.
Community members joined LR officials at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Occupational Therapy building at the Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia in November 2016.
Dr. Frederick K. Whitt and his wife, Donna, are welcomed to Lenoir-Rhyne's campus in February 2017. Whitt was named the 12th president of the University.
LRU debuted a digital version of Profile Magazine in the fall of 2017. The digital magazine is an interactive storytelling experience that combines all the benefits of the print edition while blending text, photography, and video in a beautifully designed and responsive format.
On April 12, 2018, LRU held an inaugural Giving Day Challenge prompting dedicated alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community partners to give more than $97,000 to the institution.
The first cohort for the Family Nurse Practitioner/Doctorate of Nursing Practice, LRU's first doctoral program, began in August 2018.
The 30th anniversary of the Visiting Writers Series was celebrated during the 2018 academic year.
In May 2018, men's lacrosse advanced to the NCAA DII Men's Lacrosse National Championship Semifinal game. Head Coach Greg Paradine was also named the National Division II Coach of the Year for the 2018 season,
In December 2018, LRU broke ground for the Neill McGeachy Sports Performance Center. The facility will feature 14,000 square feet of new and enhanced multiuse training space, a weight room, nutrition bar and indoor turf training area, enhanced team meeting spaces, additional coaches offices, and a covered pavilion for Bears Club hospitality and engagement space.