Lenoir-Rhyne University

Directions Website

Lenoir-Rhyne University A leading professionally focused university in the Southeast known for preparing life-ready graduates. Extracurricular activities are abundant at LRU.
(414)

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.

We're just days away from Homecoming, which wouldn't be Homecoming without the Spirit of LR! 🐻🎶Leading the band from par...
10/15/2026

We're just days away from Homecoming, which wouldn't be Homecoming without the Spirit of LR! 🐻🎶

Leading the band from parade to podium is drum major Lindsey Gustafson ’27, who arrived at Lenoir-Rhyne without a day of marching band experience. With encouragement from her fellow musicians, she went from learning which foot to start with to conducting the whole ensemble.

Get to know Lindsey and the Spirit of LR and appreciate the performance on a new level this Saturday!

Read the full story with the link in the comments!

10/15/2026

HICKORY, N.C. - Homecoming is back in Hickory! Lenoir-Rhyne will have plenty of events happening this weekend, including two sporting events, plenty of reunions, a parade, golf tournament, and more.

Brooks Higginbotham ’27 didn’t arrive at LR planning to become student body president. In fact, the self-described intro...
10/13/2026

Brooks Higginbotham ’27 didn’t arrive at LR planning to become student body president. In fact, the self-described introvert didn’t get involved with SGA until his sophomore year.

Now, he wants to make student government more accessible to students who might be just as hesitant to speak up as he once was.

Meet LR’s SGA president and learn about the moment that convinced him to run, the swim meet he’ll never forget — and his firm position on whether a hot dog qualifies as a sandwich. 🌭

Read the full story with the link in the comments!

As the Class of 1976 prepares to celebrate its 50th reunion, we remember Mike Hogewood ’76 — a familiar face and voice t...
10/12/2026

As the Class of 1976 prepares to celebrate its 50th reunion, we remember Mike Hogewood ’76 — a familiar face and voice to generations of sports fans throughout the South. A mentor, teacher and lifelong Bear, Mike's curiosity and enthusiasm made people feel seen and welcomed.

Now, a memorial scholarship created by his family will carry forward a legacy that began with the opportunities Mike found at Lenoir-Rhyne — helping the next Bear on the trail say yes to their own opportunities.

Read the full story with the link in the comments!

Homecoming is almost here, Bear Nation! 🐻❤️🖤Join us in Hickory Oct. 16–17 for milestone reunions, favorite traditions, t...
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!

🚀 The AeroBears are aiming higher.After a successful 2026 launch season, Lenoir-Rhyne’s rocket team is preparing to retu...
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!

Walking into the weekend like 😁
10/02/2026

Walking into the weekend like 😁

🐻📚 Can. Do. looks like building the writing life you imagined — and then getting ready for what’s next. After a decade a...
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!

Open House 🤝 Game DayJoin us for LR Open House on October 3 and explore the classrooms, campus and community that could ...
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!

🎶 Bears Engage returns tomorrow!The LR Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony open this year’s series with “We the People,” a m...
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!

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lenoir-Rhyne University posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share