• University Operations Update

    Return to Normal Operations - Tuesday, Feb. 3

    Lenoir-Rhyne will return to normal, in-person operations beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3, at all campus locations — Hickory, Asheville and Columbia.

    • Road conditions: We recognize that road conditions may remain hazardous in some areas and that travel may still be challenging.
    • Students: Those unable to travel safely to campus should communicate directly with their instructors to discuss absences.
    • Faculty and staff: Those unable to travel safely to campus should communicate directly with their supervisor to discuss appropriate arrangements.
    • Your safety remains our top priority, and we appreciate your continued communication and flexibility as we transition back to normal operations.
    • The university community is also invited to join President McGee for a Welcome Back Warm-Up on Tuesday from 8:30–9:30 a.m. in the Cromer Center on the Hickory campus. Stop by to enjoy donuts, coffee and hot chocolate as we reconnect and welcome one another back to campus.

    Operation Updates

Presidential search update - upcoming on-campus forums


Sidewalk leading to Cromer Center in the shadow of trees during summer

The presidential search committee is pleased to announce that, after conducting a third round of interviews, we have confirmed two finalists for the presidency. As we shared earlier, we will host on-campus forums for these finalists, providing opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to engage with them.

The confirmed forum dates are:

  • Friday, March 28, 10-11 a.m.
  • Monday, March 31, 10-11 a.m.

All sessions will be held in Belk Centrum. The forums are open to current faculty, staff and students and will include a moderated discussion with time for questions and answers.

Candidate materials will be shared approximately one day before the interviews. To foster a sense of confidentiality during this sensitive process, these sessions will not be recorded or broadcast via Zoom. We also request that you maintain confidentiality by refraining from posting candidate information on social media or discussing the candidates within your professional or personal networks. While we understand complete privacy cannot be guaranteed, this decision aims to create a more comfortable environment for open dialogue.

Madeleine Dassow ’75
Chair of the Board of Trustees

Cat Niekro
Co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee

News & Events

Mickey Payseur and Madeleine Dassow place the presidential medallion on Summer McGee

Faculty, students, alumni and community members gathered as Lenoir-Rhyne celebrated the inauguration of its 13th president, marking a bright vision for the future.

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Summer McGee and Joe Bear shake hands in front of George Hall

The countdown to inauguration has begun. LR has formed a cross-campus committee to plan the celebration of President Summer McGee’s official installation this October.

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