• Commencement Information

    Happy graduation week! If you still need your rain tickets or honor cords, they will be available for you at check-in on Friday (Hickory campus).

    Student check-in is Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Shuford Arena. Guests are asked to be in their seats by 5:30 p.m.

    Any changes to the commencement schedule will be posted here. 

    Commencement Information

LR at a Glance

Fast Facts


University Information


  • Founded in 1891 by four Lutheran pastors
  • Three locations: Hickory, N.C.; Asheville, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.
  • Motto: Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth shall set you free)
  • Alma mater: “Fair Star of Caroline”
  • Mission, vision and values
More About Lenoir-Rhyne

Student Body


  • 2,686+ students
  • 1,783 undergraduate (on-campus in Hickory, N.C.)
  • 903 graduate (on-campus and online)
  • Student distribution: 40 states/territories; 77 North Carolina counties; 31 countries
  • $30+ million awarded in scholarships and financial aid annually
  • $100,000+ in study abroad scholarships for LR students
  • 17,643+ living alumni (undergraduate and graduate degree holders) from all 50 states and many countries around the globe

In the Classroom


  • Majors Offered: 50
  • Minors: 53
  • Graduate Programs: 20
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1
  • Average class size: 22
  • Faculty: 140 full time; 81% hold terminal degrees
Explore Our Academic Programs

Athletics


  • Mascot: Joe Bear
  • Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
  • Affiliation: NCAA Division II
  • Teams: 23
Explore Bears Sports
Amari Brown painting Black Lives Matter mural

I don't know if it has hit me yet how much of an impact it will make on other people. I just thought of it as an assignment, but as I worked through it, I realized I have a platform.

Amari Brown '21, on his Black Lives Matter mural at the Hickory Art Museum
Kiera Elliott standing in front of the Rhyne Building

Lineberger Scholar and Cantos editor Kiera Elliott '25 has rubbed elbows with the literary giants of the Visiting Writers Series. Someday she plans to become one of them.

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Salma Ramirez in front of George Hall

After accepting a soccer scholarship, Salma Ramirez-Sanchez '24 made a radical relocation from Spain to LR, where she she has embraced every aspect of college life.

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