Friends and alumni invited to baseball game

Mon Mar 22 2010

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Office of Alumni Relations and the University Champions invite all alumni and friends to a free baseball game, hot dog and soft drink. The special invitation is for Saturday, April 10, when the L-R Bears play a double header against Tusculum College in Hickory.

The first game will begin at 1 p.m. and the second game will start at approximately 3:30 p.m. The first 100 fans to attend the first game will receive a free hot dog and soft drink.

“We hope our many alumni and friends in the Hickory area will take advantage of this great opportunity to enjoy some free, family-friendly entertainment while rooting for the Bears,” said Suzanne Jackson, director of alumni relations. Those wishing to attend are asked to reserve their spot by calling 828-328-7171 or emailing lru.director@alumni.lr.edu.

Professor to lecture on DNA evidence

Mon Mar 22 2010

Dr. Dan Krane will discuss forensic DNA evidence on April 9 as part of the Steelman Visiting Scientist Lecture Series at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Krane will speak at 9:20 a.m. Friday, April 9 in the Belk Centrum on the topic “Evaluating Forensic DNA Evidence.” He will also speak at 2 p.m. the same day in Minges Science Building Room 222 on “Establishing Parameters for Objective Interpretation of DNA Profile Evidence.” Both talks are free and open to the public. The morning lecture will be directed to a general audience, while the afternoon lecture will be more technical in nature.

Krane is a professor of biological sciences at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers in the areas of population genetics and molecular evolution and is the lead author of the best selling undergraduate textbook in the field of bioinformatics, “Fundamental Concepts in Bioinformatics.”

Many of his publications are directly related to forensic DNA testing. He has testified in more than 75 criminal cases since 1991 as an expert for both the prosecution and defense in the areas of population genetics, molecular biology and bioinformatics.

He is the president and a co-founder of Forensic Bioinformatic Services Inc, where he has overseen the development and implementation of software designed to automatically and objectively review STR DNA testing results. He is also a gubernatorial appointee to Virginia’s Scientific Advisory Committee that oversees the policies and practices of Virginia’s Department of Forensic Science.

Students may now download free audio books

Thu Mar 18 2010

Students, faculty and staff at Lenoir-Rhyne University can now download free audio books through the university’s Rudisill Library.

The new audio books are compatible with most iPods and MP3 devices. Titles are primarily in the areas of classic literature, history, biography and language learning. The 750 downloadable audio books are available through NC LIVE, North Carolina’s statewide online library. This project is made possible with a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the State Library of North Carolina.

“We are happy to be able to bring our students, faculty and staff these audio books that they can download, listen to, and take with them,” said Virginia Moreland, L-R library director.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Rudisill Library was one of eight libraries in North Carolina chosen to have early access to the audio books through a pilot program. Later this spring, NC LIVE will make the collection available to all libraries across the state.

NC LIVE purchased the audio books through Ingram Digital and will make them available through their MyiLibrary® Audio Books platform. MyiLibrary® is the Ingram Content Group’s industry-leading e-content aggregation platform for public, academic and professional libraries around the world.

The Big Read, The Little Read events announced

Mon Mar 15 2010

This year, internationally recognized Latina writer Julia Alvarez will serve as both The Big Read and The Little Read author in Catawba County.

Alvarez was born in the United States to parents from the Dominican Republic. She spent the first 10 years of her life in the Dominican Republic. Then her family moved back to the United States, where she was faced with an unfamiliar language and culture.

The Big Read book (for adults) is “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent.” The Little Read book (for fourth-graders) is “How Tia Lola Came to Visit Stay.”

Alvarez is an author whose work bridges cultures and generations. She is a writer of novels, essays, books for young readers and poetry. She has taught creative writing at Middlebury College for many years.

Alvarez will read from and discuss her work at Lenoir-Rhyne University at 7 p.m. April 16 in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium as part of The Big Read.

She will also participate in a special program for children at noon on Saturday, April 17 at P.E. Monroe Auditorium. A Latino Street Festival with family-friendly activities will immediately follow at 1-4 p.m. on Stasavich Place.

The Big Read is Catawba County’s community-wide, year-long reading initiative of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Visiting Writers Series, Catawba Valley Community College, the Catawba County Library System, and the Hickory Public Library.

The mission of The Big Read is to celebrate the power of books and the importance of reading. This is the fifth year of the program, which encourages all adults to read and discuss a single book.

The Little Read is a similar program for elementary children sponsored by the Lenoir-Rhyne Visiting Writers Series, the Catawba County School System, Hickory Public Schools and Newton-Conover Schools. In addition, L-R’s School of Education provides curricular support. Other participants include The Hickory Public Library, Hickory Day School and St. Stephen’s Lutheran School. (more…)

The Cleveland Duo & James Umble concert cancelled

Thu Mar 11 2010

The concert by The Cleveland Duo & James Umble, scheduled for Thursday, March 11, at Lenoir-Rhyne University, has been cancelled due to the illness of one of the performers.

Lohr Learning Commons now open

Wed Mar 10 2010

After months of planning and renovation, the Lawrence and Frances Mauney Lohr Learning Commons is now open on the second floor of the Rudisill Library at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

The Learning Commons is named in memory of the benefactors who funded a majority of the construction costs.

“This new facility consolidates several offices and services that deepen in-class learning and extend the learning experience into the world beyond,” said Leonard Geddes, coordinator of the Learning Commons and director of co-curricular programs.

The Learning Commons covers approximately 7,000 square feet. It includes a general study area with large arched windows overlooking the wooded campus quadrangle. This study area has received a make-over with new furniture and carpet.

The Learning Commons also includes a newly enhanced Writing Center, an Education Curriculum Lab, a Mathematics and Computer Science Tutorial Lab, a Speech Preparation Lab and a general computer classroom.

Offices currently on campus that have moved to the new location include the Office of International Education, the Community Service and Service Learning Office, and the Office for Co-Curricular Programs. (more…)

A Cappella Choir, College Singers plan home concert

Tue Mar 9 2010

The Lenoir-Rhyne University A Cappella Choir and College Singers will present their home spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 21 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Hickory. John Gordon Ross will be the guest conductor for this free, public event.

The theme for this year’s concert, “Fear Not, You Are Mine,” will be featured at the beginning and end of the concert in compositions by Knut Nystedt and Paul Weber’s “When You Pass Through the Waters.”

Accompanying the choir will be Jeana Neal Borman, Lenoir-Rhyne collaborative artist, and Kenneth Miller, senior sacred music organ major.

Repertoire sung by the choir will include “Heilig” by Felix Mendelssohn, “Sicut cervus” by Palestrina, “Arise, Shine” by Paul Weber, “Nunc dimittis” by Gustav Holst, and selected movements of the Mozart Requiem. (more…)

Communications students meet with Chinese professor

Thu Mar 4 2010

The Internet is helping to expose the Chinese people to more foreign ideas, said Visiting Professor Cui Ping of China.

Her comments were made during a discussion with Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Communications Club. She was invited to speak to the group of communications majors about the differences between U.S. and Chinese media. She said she is not an expert in this subject. But she answered questions about Chinese culture, media and government.

Ping’s one-year stay in Hickory is being co-sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba Valley Community College. She is teaching Mandarin Chinese at the two schools and is also speaking to local groups about Chinese life and culture.

Access to foreign newspapers, magazines and television programming is restricted in China, she said. In China, the news media are considered the voice of the government. However, she said TV hosts are now more likely to ask tough questions of government officials than in the past.

Access to the Internet is widely available, and it has made many Chinese people more aware of ideas and attitudes outside their own country, she said. Although China has been historically cautious about contact with foreigners, that attitude is beginning to change. (more…)

Fools for Fitness 5K Walk-Run planned

Wed Mar 3 2010

The public is invited to participate in the Lenoir-Rhyne University April Fools for Fitness 5K Walk-Run beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 17 on campus.

The event is sponsored by the university’s PAWS (Physical Activity, Wellness and Sports) Club.

The race will begin and end in the parking lot located at the corner of Stasavich Place and Seventh Ave. NE on campus. It will be held rain or shine. There will also be a 100-meter Tot Trot for children 7 and younger. All Tot Trot participants will receive a ribbon.

Early registration is being accepted through 5 p.m. April 9. LRU students, faculty, staff and alumni may register for $12 during this time. Early registration for everyone else is $15. Late registration will be accepted through race day and is $20 for everyone. There is no entry fee for the Tot Trot.

Medals will be awarded to the top overall male and female 5K finishers and to first, second and third place male and female finishers in each age division. Tee shirts will be given to the first 100 5K participants. Door prizes will be provided by local merchants.

The entry form for the April Fools for Fitness 5K Walk-Run is available for download at www.lr.edu/fools-for-fitness. Checks should be made payable to the LRU PAWS Club. For more information, contact Ingrid Anthony, L-R’s wellness coordinator, at anthonyi@lr.edu.

L-R receives award for community service

Wed Mar 3 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

The university has received this award for four straight years – each year since the program was established. It recognizes volunteer service by Lenoir-Rhyne students during the 2008-2009 academic year. During that time, 1,355 Lenoir-Rhyne students participated in some type of community service activity, contributing 87,822 hours of volunteer work. At the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, this amounts to $636,709 of donated labor. Most of these volunteer hours were contributed to non-profit organizations in the Hickory Metro.

“We are pleased with this honor,” said Dr. Wayne Powell, university president. “Throughout its 119 year history, Lenoir-Rhyne has been known for its commitment to service in the community. We consider service to others as part of our mission in higher education and as part of our commitment to building a better world for all people.”

Each fall, incoming students participate in volunteer service activities as part of a program called Hands On Hickory. In August 2008, 417 students and 22 faculty and staff members participated in this project, donating a total of 1,098 hours.

In 2009, 17 students and two faculty/staff members traveled to Clay County, Fla., for Alternative Spring Break, where they contributed a total of 590 hours toward constructing a Habitat for Humanity house. (more…)