We are active: the class of 2025

A history major, football player, aspiring teacher and resident assistant, Carson Keaton ‘25 has filled his time at Lenoir-Rhyne University with purpose, growth and connection.

Keaton first arrived at LR with his eyes on the football field. Inspired by his brother Tyler Keaton ’21, who played for the Bears, he was drawn in by the close-knit atmosphere among players and coaches.

“I knew this was a place I’d be able to have a full athletic experience as a member of a competitive team as well as a challenging and engaging academic experience,” he said.

A scholarship sealed his decision, which paid off in a big way in 2023. In his second year on the team, Keaton earned a starting position and was named a 2023-2024 All-Conference and 2024 First Team All-American player. However, the greater honor was helping the Bears secure the South Atlantic Conference Championship.

“That was a memory that will stay with me the rest of my life,” he said. “This is my 18th year playing football, but 2023 was the most amazing season I’ve ever been part of, and there were people on that team I’m going to call my friends forever.”

While Keaton’s impact on the field is easy to see, he’s just as focused on making a difference in the classroom. Following in the footsteps of his parents – both secondary school teachers in Winston-Salem – Keaton is preparing for a career in education. He’s majoring in history and plans to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching through LR’s Accelerated Master’s program. He has already spent time observing and working with students at St. Stephens High School in Hickory.

“I love history, and I love working in secondary education because there’s always something new to learn – whether about the subject matter or the students. There is never a dull moment working in a high school,” Keaton said.

His academic interests focus on World War II and the years that followed. Lately, he’s been drawn to the early days of the Cold War in the mid-twentieth century, a period of shifting alliances and rising tension.

“Recently, I’ve been doing a deeper dive into post-World War II society, that gray area where the Cold War was getting started but hadn’t fully developed into full global tension between the United States and the Soviet Union – when we were just getting the first hints how the Allies would become rivals.”

Despite his demanding schedule as a student-athlete and resident assistant in Morgan Hall, Keaton has found time to build other connections all around campus – largely thanks to psychology major Avery Webb ’26. The two met through friends during Keaton’s second year at LR.

“It almost didn’t happen because I was sick when my friends called and invited me out. I just wanted to go to sleep, but my friends were very persistent,” he said. “Avery has encouraged a lot of my involvement on campus. I’ve grown so many relationships and made so many connections because of her. Now I always have something going.”

One example of Keaton’s campus involvement stems from his support of Webb’s role as president of Kappa Delta Sorority (KD), which has earned him a unique title.

“He’s our Daggerman for Kappa Delta,” said Webb. “Our symbol is a dagger, so every KD chapter gets to name a Daggerman, somebody close to the sorority who also embodies our values and helps us out when we need it – like what other organizations might call a sweetheart.”

For Keaton, the key to success in college – and in life – starts with a simple action.

“There’s so much possibility to do anything you want to do at LR, but you have to get out of your room, get beyond your comfort zone and get involved early on,” he said. “You’re here to make memories and enjoy your time. I feel like I’ve done that.”