The governing body of Lenoir-Rhyne University, the board of trustees, is responsible for upholding the mission and vision of the university.
Board of Trustees
Leadership
Madeleine Dassow '75, Chair
Boyd Wilson '74, Vice Chair
Katherine Esch '70, Secretary
Janie Peak '73, Assistant Secretary
Jearld Leonhardt '69, Treasurer
Members
Dr. Edward (Eddie) L. Beard, Jr. ’85
Hickory, NC
President and CEO, Catawba Valley Medical Center
The Rev. Mark Bernthal (LTSS ’86)
Vero Beach, FL
ELCA Pastor, Our Savior Lutheran Church
Perrell D. Bess, JD ’06
Charlotte, NC
Attorney, VP Compliance and Operational Risk Specialist
Dr. Steven (Steve) R. Carter ’74
Pinehurst, NC
Anesthesiologist (retired)
Dr. Ki-Hyun (Kenny) Chun ’74 ’00 HD
Charlotte, NC
COB/CEO/CPA, The Chun Group
The Rev. Dr. Rachel L. Connelly (LTSS ’90)
Walhalla, SC
ELCA Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran
Madeleine S. Dassow ’75
Greensboro, NC
Businesswoman/Former Teacher
Marvin S. (Eddie) Edwards, Jr.
Hickory, NC
President & CEO, CommScope, Inc.
Katherine B. (Kate) Esch ’70
Hickory, NC
Civic Leader
The Rev. G. Scott Homesley ’83
Abingdon VA
ELCA Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church
Margaret Jackson ’69
Newton, NC
Dewyone (Pedie) King ’96
Hickory, NC
King Suzuki of Hickory
Dr. Leslie Lambert
Roanoke, VA
Jearld L. Leonhardt ’69
Newton, NC
Retired EVP and CFO of CommScope, Inc.
Hansel (Hank) McCrorie ’60
Hickory, NC
McCrorie Family Vineyards, LLC
Joseph P. (Joe) McGuire
Asheville, NC
President, McGuire Wood and Bissette P.A.
Katherine F. McKenzie ’69
Wilmington, NC
Executive VP and Chief HR Officer, Citizens Financial Group (retired)
The Rev. J. Stephen Misenheimer ’76 LTSS ’82
Knoxville, TN
Retired Lutheran Pastor
George A. Moretz
Hickory, NC
COB, Carolina Mills, Inc.
Jade Cobb Murray ’03
Charlotte, NC
Chief Counsel, Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.
Isaiah (Ike) F. Oglesby ’91
Greensboro, NC
Broker/Owner, Oglesby Realty
Janie Parks Peak ’73
Gastonia, NC
Retired High School Teacher, LR Education Department
C. Cliff Ritchie ’76
Salisbury, NC
President and CEO of Cheerwine and Carolina Beverage
The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp
Hickory, NC
St. Andrews Lutheran Church, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Timothy M. (Tim) Smith
Salisbury, NC
Bishop, NC ELCA Synod
Sybil Baird Stewart ’58
Sherrills Ford, NC
Civic Leader/Retired Teacher and Businesswoman
Stephen M. (Steve) Thomas
Hickory, NC
Retired Attorney, Patrick, Harper and Dixon LLP
The Rev. Christopher D. Webb ’93 LTSS ’97
Hickory, NC
Senior Pastor, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Dr. Fred K. Whitt
Hickory, NC
President, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Boyd Wilson, Jr. ’74
Hudson, NC
Executive VP, Broyhill Investments, Inc.
The Rev. Dr. D. Rhodes Woolly ’88
Salisbury, NC
Pastor, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Ex Officio Membership
Dr. Fred Whitt, Lenoir-Rhyne University President
The Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Smith Bishop, NC Synod, ELCA
The Rev. Dr. Lowell Almen ELCA Bishop, Chair of LTSS Advisory Council
News & Events
A chance meeting with a fellow veteran inspired alumnus Mark Hager '99 to write his book: “The Last of the 357th Infantry: Harold Frank’s WWII Story of Faith and Courage.”
View MoreWith the closing of another academic year, the Bear family says goodbye to five faculty and staff members retiring after more than 20 years of service to the university.
View More