News | Lenoir-Rhyne University

Taylor Newton, Ph.D., far right, stands with a group of student volunteers at an outdoor event.

England, Elections and Vaccines: Professor Taylor Newton devoted to service in time of need

Professor Taylor Newton, Ph.D., had been approved to spend a year as a visiting researcher at the University of Birmingham before the pandemic. Instead, she used the time to address vaccine hesitancy in Catawba County and throughout the state.

Andrea Castillo wears a mask inside a classroom and practices looking for a heartbeat with her stethoscope on a baby manikin.

First-generation student rises above the challenges to help others

Andrea Castillo, a junior nursing student, is fulfilling a dream for herself and her parents by being the first in her family to attend college. Her Cherokee Indian and Mexican heritage fuels her passion in pursuing her degree.

Madeline Schmidt stands outside and looks through a telescope at night.

Infinity and Beyond

With a love for space travel and NASA, senior Madeline Schmidt spent 10 weeks of her summer as a NASA intern – leading to her completely changing the way she sees assignments and future job prospects.

On a coastal hike, Chrissy Elliott stands with her back to the camera overlooking the Loutro Bay in Crete, Greece.

Backpacking Bear

With a passion for traveling, alumna Chrissy Elliott '96 has been to 55 countries, 47 states and five continents in the last 25 years – and has no plans of slowing down.

Exterior view of the front of P.E. Monroe Auditorium

Grant funding awarded to further support improvements on campus

The university recently received multiple grants totaling $550,000 thanks to the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trusts of Concord, North Carolina, in support of continued efforts to improve the on-campus experience for students, faculty, staff and community members through new construction and renovations.

Keith Alexander working in LTSS garden gathering vegetables

Food and Faith Formation: LTSS combats food deserts through farm-to-table initiative

Some people don’t know when or from where their next meal is going to come. Food deserts exist where people may not have the financial means to acquire food or access to grocery stores with fresh food they can afford.

Candice Clark talks with classmate after class

Student embraces her calling; takes advantage of life-changing opportunity

As a personal trainer and student in the Master of Divinity program at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Candice Clark is helping others achieve new levels of wellness—not just physically, but spiritually as well.

LR student hopes to improve health, future of American Samoa

As a native of American Samoa, Sharon Ah Ping grew up seeing the effects of improper nutrition among friends, family members and the community at large. That’s what led her to the dietetic internship program at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Tynan O'Connor lifting weight in weight room

Relentless perseverance pays off for Tynan O'Connor '23

Tynan O’Connor’s life is filled with challenges that motivate him every day to be better than the day before. As a first-generation college student, he knows what it’s like to overcome obstacles in his relentless pursuit of an education, and he draws inspiration from his parents’ hardships.

A couple looks at the pages of David Stephens book, “Bear Nation: Between the Bricks” while outside.

100-year journey of Lenoir-Rhyne football

Relive the last 100 years of LR football with “Bear Nation: Between the Bricks” – an illustrated coffee-table book by writer and archivist David O. Stephens '69.

Students stand outside in a large group at Oakwood Cemetery.

Decoding Tombstones

Inspired by this year's campus read, a First-Year Experience class observes the past and ponders the present with a trip to Oakwood Cemetery.

Moises Vazquez interacts with a professor inside a classroom.

First-generation student finding his place at Lenoir-Rhyne

For first-generation student Moises Vazquez, his college education means being a leader, the product of his parents’ sacrifice and an example for the next generation.