learning & growing together

Community Partners


Lenoir-Rhyne works alongside of business and community leaders to continue to enrich Hickory with educational, commercial, and cultural opportunities. Our campus and community are intertwined. We are neighbors working together to make Hickory a great place to live, work, learn and play.

Caroline Black

The LR community truly cares and supports others around them. Whether it's local businesses supporting the Bears or students being there for others, you can always feel the love of the community.

Caroline Black '23, Exercise Science

LR Partners


The LR Partners program promotes partnerships with local businesses, agencies and school and government entities to provide their employees opportunities for graduate and adult undergraduate education at discounted rates based on the degree of participation by the specific affiliate.

VIew LR Partners Program

LR Partners in Higher Education


Through the Lenoir-Rhyne Partners in Higher Education program, graduates from partner institutions will receive incentives for enrolling in participating graduate programs at LR.

View LR Partners in Higher Education Program

Friends of LR


The Friends of LR discount program allows businesses to express support for LR by offering a discount to their local LR campus community. 

Currently, more than 50 businesses provide LR discounts to students in Hickory, Asheville and Columbia. 

View Friends of LR Discount Program

Senior Bears


Senior Bears connects community members to the academic and cultural opportunities at Lenoir-Rhyne. The program is open to all adults 55 and older and is a great way to take advantage of the many exciting opportunities at LR. 

Membership perks include a Senior Bears ID card, LR parking sticker, library access and check-out privileges, auditing of a single undergraduate course each academic year and four meals in our dining hall. 

View Senior Bears Program