Donor Recognition

Established in 1995 to honor Lenoir-Rhyne’s most generous alumni and friends

The Founders Society was established to honor donors whose generosity supports its educational mission. Those donors who have made cumulative gifts of $25,000 and more to Lenoir-Rhyne University are honored as members of the Founders Society. The university celebrates the generosity of these donors at an annual event, honoring all members from the previous fiscal year. Donors to Lenoir-Rhyne University are recognized for all gifts made since 1960, to build on this historic legacy by supporting students, faculty and programs that make Lenoir-Rhyne the extraordinary institution it is today.

• Centurion members of the Founders Society are donors whose cumulative giving meets or exceeds $100,000.
• Distinguished members of the Founders Society are donors whose cumulative giving meets or exceeds $1,000,000.

Recognizes planned gifts 

The 1891 Heritage Society honors alumni, parents and friends who have demonstrated their commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne’s future by including the university in their estate plans and have provided documentation of their bequest intentions and/or planned gifts to Lenoir-Rhyne. We celebrate these individuals annually at the Founders event.

Recognizes leadership giving to Lenoir-Rhyne with gifts of $1,500 and more annually

The President’s Society, established in 1972, recognizes individual, corporate and foundation donors who have made leadership gifts or pledges to the university. Gifts may be made any time during the calendar year. President’s Society members are celebrated annually at leadership donor events and receive access to reserved parking for home football games.

• Faculty and staff recognition - $750, and above
• Recent alumni recognition
  • Alumni who graduated 6-10 years ago - $500, and above
  • Alumni who graduated 1-5 years ago - $250, and above

Recognizes businesses, corporations and foundations that believe in the mission of LR and contribute $1,500 and more annually

Established in 1983, Lenoir-Rhyne’s Business Council includes area businesses, industries and educational organizations, who work alongside the university to enhance the quality of life in the region, and provide mutually beneficial opportunities for all groups to prosper.

Business Council members are celebrated annually at leadership donor events and receive access to reserved parking for home football games.

Established in 2018 to recognize consecutive year donors

The Loyal Bears Society was created to honor and celebrate donors who have made a gift — of any amount, to any area on campus — for at least three consecutive years. Qualification for recognition is established upon the third year of consecutive fiscal-year giving, or immediately after committing to a recurring gift for at least three years by establishing a multi-year pledge.

Loyal Bears are celebrated at an annual donor event and receive a Loyal Bear magnet upon joining the society.

Recognizing donors with recurring gifts

The Sustainers Society recognizes those who have an established recurring gift on a monthly basis to the university. These gifts, once established, draft automatically and provide the university with ongoing financial support.

Our Sustainers are celebrated with an invitation to an annual donor’s event.

Recognizing family donors

Investing in students and the LR experience can be accomplished in many ways. This giving circle honors LR family members for contributing a gift of any amount, to any area of campus they or their student are passionate about. The Parent and Family Giving Circle is celebrated at an event during Family Weekend and at other annual donor events.