Shurtape Technologies gift advances revitalization of Lenoir-Rhyne’s Cromer Center

Lenoir-Rhyne University has received a $250,000 gift from Shurtape Technologies LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer and marketer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, to support the revitalization of the Cromer Center — the university’s student center and one of the most active spaces on campus.

The gift represents a significant step forward for the $6 million project, which will revitalize and refresh the Cromer Center to meet the needs of today’s students and continue to serve as the hub for campus life. A timeline for the renovation will be announced in the coming months.

“Few buildings on the LR campus hum with the same dynamic energy as the Cromer Center,” said Summer McGee, Ph.D., president of Lenoir-Rhyne University. “This investment from Shurtape helps us move closer to realizing a vision for a modern, welcoming and student-centered facility that will serve generations of Bears to come.”

Originally opened in 1963 and named in honor of former Lenoir-Rhyne president Voigt Cromer, the building was designed to serve as the heart of campus life. For more than six decades, it has been a central gathering place where students, faculty, staff and community members come together to eat, study and build connections. From meals in the café to events on Shaw Plaza, the Cromer Center remains one of the university’s most active and well-loved spaces.

Shurtape’s investment underscores the company’s deep commitment to community partnerships and education in the Catawba Valley region.
“At Shurtape, we believe in building connections that strengthen our community,” said Stephen Shuford, vice chairman, Shurtape Technologies, LLC. “With deep roots in the Catawba Valley and many Lenoir-Rhyne alumni on our team, we’re proud to invest in a space that fosters collaboration and growth for generations of students.” 

The revitalized Cromer Center will feature a relocated café; redesigned space for casual and formal social events, programs and campus gatherings; new lounge areas designed to foster collaboration and belonging; flexible furniture and technology enhancements; and a modernized space for the Office of Student Life. Plans also include improved accessibility with a new elevator and enhancements that bring in natural light and better flow between indoor and outdoor areas.

“This project is about more than bricks and mortar,” said Cat Niekro, vice president of advancement and communications. “It’s about strengthening the sense of belonging and community that defines Lenoir-Rhyne.”