L-R adds new Master of Public Health degree

Mon Feb 8 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University will begin a new Master of Public Health degree in the fall of 2010. Offered through the College of Health Sciences, the program answers a growing demand for public health professionals to address local, national and global needs.

“Lenoir-Rhyne University is very excited by the addition of this new MPH program,” said Dr. Larry Hall, LRU provost. “It continues to build upon our emphasis in the health sciences and elsewhere in locating and furnishing professional graduate programs that meet both the needs of our students and our community.”

Students will explore all aspects of public health management, from local and regional health trends to the impact of global economics and public policy on health care delivery systems. In addition to developing leadership and expertise in students, the program will provide scientific research and program development that will benefit the community at large.

“The new Master of Public Health at Lenoir-Rhyne draws on the strengths of the existing programs in Health Sciences, Liberal Studies, and the Healthcare Administration Certificate to provide a new graduate degree option,” said Dr. Michael R. McGee, chair of the School of Health, Exercise, and Sport Science and interim director of the MPH program. “National trends reflect an escalating need for professionals to manage the growing public health issues, and the new MPH reflects the university’s commitment to community, leadership and service.” (more…)

‘Evenings with L-R Professors’

Mon Feb 8 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University will present “Evenings with L-R Professors,” a new outreach program for area high school teachers, beginning in February.

Teachers will have a unique opportunity to work with colleagues and L-R faculty to explore ideas that enhance classroom teaching. The programs cover a variety of topics relevant both to high school learning and to preparing students for college. The monthly seminars are offered on Tuesdays at 4-6 p.m. They are free of charge and include free CEUs (Continuing Education Units).

Upcoming seminars include the following.

Feb. 23: “Representation and Practice in Early Medieval Japan: What Samurai Can Teach You About Critical Thinking.” Join Dr. Brian Goldsmith, assistant professor of history, in a discussion of analytical approaches to historical information sources.

March 23: “Research Readiness and the College Experience, or ‘Did He Really Say We Can’t Use Google?’” In this interactive session, participants will explore techniques to prepare students for the expectations of information literacy at the college level. This program is offered by Virginia Moreland, director of library services, and Jessica O’Brien, technology and learning support librarian.

April 27: “The Death of Student Privacy.” Dr. Bjarne Berg, associate professor of business and mathematics, leads this seminar focused on teaching students how to protect their privacy and to understand the limitations of personal privacy in online media.
For more information, send an email to john.cheek@lr.edu or register online at http://high-school.lr.edu.

Leonhardts contribute to new Science Complex

Wed Feb 3 2010

Jearld and Carolyn Leonhardt of Newton have given $750,000 to Lenoir-Rhyne University in support of the new Science Complex.

This project, expected to cost a total of $25 million, will consist of a 35,000 square foot addition to the Minges Science Building, plus a complete renovation of the existing building.

Both of the Leonhardts graduated from L-R in 1969. Jearld Leonhardt is executive vice president and chief financial officer of CommScope Inc. He has guided CommScope’s finances since it was created in 1976 and has helped the company grow into a global leader in the production of cable and connectivity solutions for communications.

He is chair of the Finance Committee of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Board of Trustees. “Through several years of sound financial management, Lenoir-Rhyne is in a strong position today to create new opportunities for students and the Hickory region as a whole,” he said.

“That’s why Carolyn and I wanted to support the Science Complex at LRU. We believe this much-needed facility will benefit generations of students. We can personally attest to the importance of a Lenoir-Rhyne education in our own lives. Throughout my business career, I have seen the importance of seizing major opportunities when they present themselves. I believe this project is just such an opportunity.” (more…)

Choral evening services planned

Tue Feb 2 2010

The Sacred Music Program of Lenoir-Rhyne University will sponsor two choral evening prayer services this spring.

Both services will feature guest performers as well as choral ensembles of the university. The programs will be free and open to the public, although an offering will be taken to help defray expenses.

The first service will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Hickory. The program will be “Great Vespers in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition,” featuring the Carolina Deanery Choir of the Orthodox Church in America, Bill Wamboldt, director, and the Chapel Choir of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Paul D. Weber, director.

The Rev. Christopher Foley of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in High Point will preside at vespers, and the Rev. Marcus Burch of St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church in Greenville, S.C., will introduce a short concert of other Orthodox hymns from the Lenten and Easter season at the conclusion of vespers. An explanation of the liturgy will precede the service.

The second service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Hickory. The Sacred Music Program and Northminster Presbyterian Church, Hickory, will sponsor Evening Prayer with John Bell and the A Cappella Choir of Lenoir-Rhyne University, Paul D. Weber, director.

This service will be the culmination of an all-day workshop with Bell on “Singing the Psalms” and “Teaching Congregational Song.” Visiting church musician-in-residence John Bell is a native of Scotland. He is a hymn writer, song arranger, and author whose books reflect his passion for congregational song.

His impact on the church and its music has been global. He has been honored by the Royal School of Church Music, the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, and the University of Glasgow. For further information on any of these events, please call (828) 328-7149.

Opera performance cancelled due to weather

Sun Jan 31 2010

The final performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31 has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Sign up now for Kids in College

Fri Jan 15 2010

Applications are now being accepted for Kids in College, the Lenoir-Rhyne University summer enrichment program for students completing kindergarten through fifth grade this spring.

This program is designed for academically gifted or teacher-recommended students with high academic qualifications. The following criteria will be considered:
• Identified as academically gifted
• Achieved a Level 4 on the End of Grade test.
• Maintained an “A” average in math or reading.
• Recommended by your current teacher.

This year, the program will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students will eat lunch in the university cafeteria. There will be two sessions: June 21-25, and June 28-July 2. Students may attend one or both of these sessions.

This year, the theme for the program will be “Investigations of the Mind.” Experienced and licensed teachers will be chosen to facilitate the program. The classes will be held in the Rhyne Building on campus. Parents will be responsible for dropping off and picking up their children.

The cost of the program is $325 per week. Kids in College typically fills up fast, so parents are encouraged to act now. (more…)

Free Chinese New Year seminars

Fri Jan 15 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University and the L-R Office of International Education will feature visiting professor Cui Ping, instructor of Chinese language, culture, and history, in a special seminar series in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, which occurs in February.

The series will be offered in the Quiet Room of the Rudisill Library at 7-8 p.m. Feb. 9, 16, and 23. The series is free and open to the public.

On Feb. 9, participants will explore the topic The Chinese New Year - Discovering its Origins and Myths. Participants will discover the history and myths behind the New Year Festivals, the Chinese calendar, Zodiac signs and their meanings, and modern day popular traditions.

On Feb. 16, the topic will be New Year’s Cuisine. Participants will be shown various popular foods served at festivals, and how to prepare some of them.

On Feb. 23, the topic will be New Year’s Art and Music. In this final program, participants will view calligraphy, ink painting and other examples of art that are often seen during the New Year Festivals, and listen to popular folk music that can be heard during festival periods.
Seating for the series is limited. Call 828-328-7028 to leave a message with your name and the number of seats you would like to reserve for each session; or email duane.kirkman@lr.edu.

Professor Cui Ping currently teaches at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Community College as part of an innovative partnership between the two institutions.

Four Nations Ensemble to perform at L-R

Mon Jan 11 2010

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Concert Series will present the Four Nations Ensemble at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22.

This concert will be held in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium, located at 775 Sixth St. NE in Hickory. It is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.

The program will include Paris Conservatory: Revolution’s Generation, as well as the music of Breval, Méhul, Devienne, Kreutzer, Jadin, Rode and Reicha.

Founded in 1986, The Four Nations Ensemble brings together soloists who are leading exponents of period instrument and vocal performance to present great music from the Renaissance through the Viennese Classical masterpieces of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. For two decades, Four Nations has developed a leading presence on the early music scene in New York and across the country.

The ensemble includes Charles Brink, traverso; Krista Bennion Feeney, violin; Loretta O’Sullivan, cello; and Andrew Appel, fortepiano. (more…)

L-R to present ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’

Fri Jan 8 2010

NOTE: The final performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 31 has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Music Program will present “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at several area churches in January. The opera is directed by Judith Burbank, Lenoir-Rhyne Artist-in-Residence in Applied Voice.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Hickory; 4 p.m. Jan. 24 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cherryville; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church of Hickory; and 4 p.m. Jan. 31 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Hickory. All performances are free and open to the public. An offering will be taken to help defray expenses.

The opera by Gian Carlo Menotti was commissioned by NBC and first presented on Dec. 24, 1951, as a live telecast. It was the debut production of “The Hallmark Hall of Fame” and the first opera composed specifically for television. It has since become a popular Christmas classic. It tells the story of Amahl, a poor boy, and his encounter with the three wise men of the Christmas story. The one-act opera is approximately one hour long.

In the Lenoir-Rhyne production, the role of Amahl will be sung by James Maxson, a sixth-grader at Northview Middle School who has sung with the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus under the direction of Florence Jowers since January 2009. Maxson also plays clarinet for the Northview Band. In 2007, he was one of the finalists in Rick Cline’s Real Deal Talent Search. In 2009, he advanced to the district level for original songwriting with “Almost December” in the PTA’s Annual Reflection Contest. Maxson also plays guitar and piano. This will be his first opera.

Lenoir-Rhyne music majors will perform the other roles in the opera. Chelsie Propst of Hickory, soprano, will sing Amahl’s mother; Cody Jones of Taylorsville, baritone, will sing King Melchior; Scott Curtis of Hickory, bass-baritone, will sing King Balthazar; James Huskey of Lincolnton, tenor, will sing King Kaspar; and Bradley Daniel of Ramseur will sing the part of the Page. The chorus consists of various L-R students who are members of the A Cappella Choir.

Accompanist for the performances is Jeana Neal Borman, L-R staff accompanist and coach. Cody Jones is the chorus director. (more…)

LRU plans Martin Luther King Jr. Day events

Thu Jan 7 2010

Lenoir-Rhyne University, in collaboration with other community organizations, will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with several events in January.

Steve Hunt, executive director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Catawba Valley Community College, will speak at 10 a.m. on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18, in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium, located at 775 Sixth St. NE. The Lenoir-Rhyne Gospel Choir will also perform during the program.

Immediately after the presentation, the Hickory NAACP annual march will take place, from the university to the Brown-Penn Recreation Center, located at 735 Third St. SW, Hickory. All of the day’s events are free and open to the public. (more…)