Lenoir-Rhyne University
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A leading professionally focused university in the Southeast known for preparing life-ready graduates. Extracurricular activities are abundant at LRU.
Our main campus is in Hickory, NC, and also are in Asheville, NC, and online. Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is celebrating 125 years of providing exceptional higher education opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The private, coeducational, liberal arts university encompasses three campuses in two states: a primary campus extending over 100-acres in the heart of Hickory, North Carolina, the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, NC, and the Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia, SC which shares a campus with the LR Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS). Today, more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled across the three campuses. This past academic year, LR welcomed its largest freshmen class, largest number of international students as well as its largest graduate classes at its Hickory and Asheville campuses in school history. The student to faculty ratio is 13:1, and there are over 50 undergraduate majors and 26 graduate programs for students to choose from. Recently added majors include criminal justice and social entrepreneurship, as well as graduate programs in exercise science and physician assistant studies. The challenging academic course work is supported by internships, mentor opportunities, work study, and study abroad programs designed to enhance the learning experience. Academic honor societies and organizations – such as the Lineberger Fellows – offer additional opportunities to challenge the intellectually gifted. LR competes in the South Atlantic Conference of the NCAA Division II in 22 varsity sports for men and women. Recreational sports, fraternities and sororities, service organizations, music and theater programs, student government, and faith-based groups are just some of avenues that allow students to pursue their passions. Lenoir-Rhyne is affiliated with the NC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious denominations and backgrounds. At Lenoir-Rhyne University, we encourage thoughtful and insightful conversation from students, faculty, staff, family, alumni, and the community. We will delete comments that contain abusive, vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive terms that target individuals or groups. Users who have a continued pattern of negative or disruptive behavior on Lenoir-Rhyne social media accounts may be banned from the pages and reported to the host site.
10/06/2026
Homecoming is almost here, Bear Nation! 🐻❤️🖤
Join us in Hickory Oct. 16–17 for milestone reunions, favorite traditions, the Homecoming Parade, pre-game festivities and Bears football against Wingate.
Gather your fellow Bears and get ready to return to the den!
10/05/2026
🚀 The AeroBears are aiming higher.
After a successful 2026 launch season, Lenoir-Rhyne’s rocket team is preparing to return to competition in 2027 with a goal of breaking into the top 15 percent of its category.
The team’s strength comes from students across disciplines bringing different skills to the launchpad — designing and building rockets, solving problems, telling the team’s story and passing what they’ve learned to the next generation of AeroBears.
“We work hard together, we learn together, and we do big things,” said adviser Doug Knight, Ph.D.
Students interested in joining the AeroBears can attend a team meeting at 10 a.m. Fridays in Room 118 of Minges Hall. 🚀
Read the full story with the link in the comments!
10/02/2026
Walking into the weekend like 😁
09/30/2026
🐻📚 Can. Do. looks like building the writing life you imagined — and then getting ready for what’s next. After a decade as a professional writer, Megan DeMatteo returns to LR with her first published book and a new goal: fiction.
Read the full story with the link in the comments!
09/29/2026
Open House 🤝 Game Day
Join us for LR Open House on October 3 and explore the classrooms, campus and community that could become part of your next chapter. Stick around to cheer on the Bears at 2 p.m. 🐻🏈
Click the link in the comments to register!
09/28/2026
🎶 Bears Engage returns tomorrow!
The LR Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony open this year’s series with “We the People,” a musical reflection on America’s 250th anniversary and the generations who have fought for freedom and democracy.
This year’s Bears Engage theme, “Freedom and Responsibility,” brings music, theater, scholarship and conversation together to explore civic life and the responsibilities that come with freedom.
📅 Tuesday, Sept. 29
🕡 6:30 p.m.
📍 P.E. Monroe Auditorium
🎟️ Free and open to the public
Learn more about “Freedom and Responsibility” and upcoming Bears Engage events with the link in the comments!
09/25/2026
The FAFSA has opened! 🎉
At Lenoir-Rhyne we are committed to affordability, so complete your FAFSA today using code 002941 to access your scholarships and financial aid at LR.
09/24/2026
Congratulations to Loury Ollison Floyd, Ph.D.! 🎉
Floyd, associate provost for faculty affairs, assessment and accreditation, received the 2026 NCACTE Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education Award this week, recognizing her work and leadership in preparing educators across North Carolina.
“The quality of educator preparation matters because the educators we prepare change lives,” Floyd said in accepting the award.
Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition!
09/23/2026
With Fleetwood Mac, classic jazz, Lil Wayne and Dierks Bentley, Pastor Vern’s playlist has room for a little bit of everything — and that’s the spirit he is bringing to campus ministry at LR.
Vern Kinard, M.Div. ’18, wants Grace Chapel and Spiritual Life to be a place where students of all backgrounds and beliefs can build relationships, explore questions of faith and purpose, and feel at home.
Get to know LR’s interim campus pastor in five questions about music, community and creating a place of grace for everyone.
Read the full story with the link in the comments.
09/22/2026
🐻 Lenoir-Rhyne is making its mark! Now ranking #1 among private universities in Western North Carolina and #3 among all private regional universities in North Carolina in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.
See what you 𝗖𝗮𝗻. 𝗗𝗼. at Lenoir-Rhyne.
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Website
Address
625 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC
28601
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
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