Historic growth and record investment mark start of Lenoir-Rhyne’s new academic year

Faculty and staff gathered in Belk Centrum on August 17, 2026, to kick off the 2026-27 academic year. President Summer J. McGee, Ph.D., opened the ceremony and spoke openly about the university’s recent record-breaking growth, investments and improvements.  

“Years from now, people will look back on 2026 and talk about the year we broke every record in enrollment and raised more money for the annual fund than ever before,” McGee said. “Together we have achieved something truly remarkable, and we will expand our spaces and build the facilities our students need to grow and thrive.”

After an opening invocation from newly appointed university pastor, Vernon Kinard, M.Div. ‘18, McGee spoke about the four pillars of the vision she initiated during her first year at LR: academic excellence, athletic excellence, sustainable growth and innovation. Noting that all four had been achieved during the past year, McGee marked a few notable moments in university history that parallel the present.  

“Starting with the second president, who grew enrollment from 100 to 500 students in one year, history has shown that we can weather the changes of growth by investing in our future,” McGee said. For the coming year, that investment included increasing pay for adjunct instructors, hiring associate deans and providing new opportunities for student support.  

In addition to record first year enrollment, the university raised more than $19 million in philanthropy this year alone. New improvement projects include the renovation of the Cromer Center, construction of a new first-year residence hall and the Ritchie Recreation Center, which will provide new health and wellness opportunities for students.

“It is our responsibility to build a university for tomorrow,” McGee noted. “That’s what we’re doing now. We will invest in our faculty, staff and students — and we will keep the spirit of LR no matter how large we grow. Together, we will build the LR that the future requires for our students.”

McGee also announced the university’s new brand promise — Can. Do. — which will clearly establish the university’s identity for future students. Other initiatives included several campus policy updates and a new Service Excellence Framework designed to elevate every student experience.

Faculty and staff recognition noted the achievement of tenure by the following:

• Nicole Coffey, M.S., Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
• Fawzi Hyder, Ph. D., Associate Professor, Finance
• Justin Nickel, Ph. D., Associate Professor, Lutheran Studies
• Shameika Stokes, DSW, Associate Professor, Human & Community Services
• Shahin Tasharrofi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Criminal Justice
• Tripp York, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Religion & Theology

Laura Hope-Gill, MFA, Kim Price, Ph.D., and Joe Smith, Ed.D., were all promoted to full professor while Kerry Thompson, Ph.D., and Toni Oakes, Ed.D., (posthumous) achieved Professor Emeritus status.  

Additionally, several faculty and staff members were recognized with a variety of awards. In her first year, McGee established the Luminary Awards to highlight members of the university who help guide the way for others. This year’s recipients were:

• Perry Bradley, Associate Director Public Safety and Facilities
• Will Cunningham, Director of Athletic Facilities & Operations
• Shana Hewitt, Associate Director of Financial Aid
• Morgan Logan, Director of Undergraduate Admission
• Stephanie Stadden, Ph.D. Exercise & Sport Science
• India McWhorter, Assistant Director of Counseling Services

Several staff were recognized for years of service, including Leanne Kale-Hoke for 25 years, and Kathey Ivey with 35 years of service.  

Special recognition was bestowed on the following award recipients:

• Raymond M. Bost Distinguished Professor Award - Michell Hollis, DNP
• Faculty Scholar Award - Rebecca Alt, Ph.D.
• Roediger Distinguished Service Award – Ryan Luhrs, Ph.D.
• Part-time Faculty Teaching and Service Award – Janice McKeel, DNP
• Jeff Norris Staff Member of the Year Award – Doug Minor, Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications

The ceremony concluded with a reminder about ensuring community connection during the year, starting with the upcoming President’s Cookout during Welcome Weekend and a Founders Day celebration on September 1 among other events throughout the year.