Mon Aug 31 2009
Lenoir-Rhyne University has set an enrollment record this year, with 1,682 students. The previous record was set in 1989 with 1,681 students.
This fall’s enrollment increased by 117 students (7.5 percent) compared to last year, when 1,565 students registered for classes. More than 600 new students led to the record-breaking year. The Office of Enrollment Management exceeded its expectations by more than 50 full-time students.
“We were concerned about the economy and how it might affect our enrollment,” said Rachel Nichols, vice president of enrollment management. “We addressed the situation head-on. We worked hard with our prospective students and parents to match our resources to their needs.”
Because of several years of careful financial management, the university was in a better position than many to weather the economic downturn. As a result, L-R did not reduce the amount of financial aid it awarded this year.
Nichols pointed to several other changes that have been successful. The university has reorganized the enrollment process so that the student has one counselor who works with him or her through all aspects of the process — from admissions to financial aid to helping with class registration. There has also been an intentional emphasis on exceptional customer service to foster relationships with both students and parents.
The L-R Office of Marketing and Communications, which is a part of Enrollment Management, has led a yearlong campaign following the name change from Lenoir-Rhyne College to Lenoir-Rhyne University last August. This campaign has used the theme of “rise up,” encouraging students to “rise” to the challenge. “We’re not asking students to come here to be comfortable,” Nichols said. “We’re asking them to come here to be challenged.” Students have responded to this new message.
In addition, the marketing effort has embraced new technologies, including enhanced use of Facebook and Twitter, increased use of online videos, a redesigned Web site, and the opportunity for online chat with enrollment counselors. Recruitment materials have used a story-telling approach, showing how current students have “risen up.” (more…)
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Wed Aug 26 2009
Dr. Kathryn “Katie” Pattillo Fisher has been named dean of students at Lenoir-Rhyne University following a nationwide search.
Fisher, a resident of Hickory, holds a doctorate of education in higher education administration and a master of education in educational leadership from Auburn University. She also holds a bachelor of arts degree in physics from Agnes Scott College.
Fisher served as assistant professor and chairperson of the School of Education at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2002 to 2006. She continued to serve as an adjunct professor in that area from 2006-2009. She was named interim dean of students at LRU in May.
“I am extremely pleased to fill this critical position at Lenoir-Rhyne with a person of Dr. Fisher’s abilities and temperament,” said Dr. Larry Hall, LRU provost. “She brings professionalism, energy, and concern for the educational development of our students that will serve our university well.”
Prior to working at L-R, Fisher was director of public programs at Catawba Science Center in Hickory from 1998 to 2002. She was employed in the area of student housing and residence life at Auburn University from 1993 to 1998. During that time, she served as a hall director, leadership specialist and instructor, and coordinator of housing and residence life. She was a science teacher, as well as a soccer and volleyball coach, at Pace Academy in Atlanta, Ga., from 1990 to 1993.
Fisher has published scholarly articles related to her field and has served as a guest presenter and consultant. She is a YMCA youth soccer coach. She has also served as a science education volunteer at local elementary schools and was a board member of the Lenoir-Rhyne Friends of the Rudisill Library.
“My main goal is to build a community where all students are engaged,” she said. “It’s such a big transition from being a high school student to being in college.” She added, “Our role is to model for them and encourage them so they can learn to stand up for themselves and make their own decisions.”
Fisher is married to Dr. Jeremy Fisher, a 1988 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne, who is director of public and institutional finance at RBC Bank. They have three children: William, 10; Samuel, 8; and Gracie, 4.
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Tue Aug 25 2009
Lenoir-Rhyne University freshmen participated in volunteer service throughout Catawba County during Hands on Hickory, a part of freshman orientation, known as The Rising.
Students attending Lenoir-Rhyne are challenged to “rise up” — academically, spiritually and in service to others — to reach their full potential.
The freshman volunteers worked Saturday morning, Aug. 22 at a total of 25 locations, including the Women’s Resource Center, Catawba Science Center, Catawba Valley Humane Society, Catawba Valley Red Cross and the Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, among others. They performed tasks such as cleaning, painting, doing office work and visiting with residents at nursing homes. They even handed out water during a 5K Race to benefit ALFA (AIDS Leadership Foothills-area Alliance).
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Mon Aug 24 2009
The Lenoir-Rhyne University Friends of Music Concert Series will present Frederick Moyer, a classical pianist, in a free, public concert at 8 p.m. Sept. 11.
The concert will be held in LRU’s P.E. Monroe Auditorium, located at 775 Sixth St. N.E. Moyer performs a range of classical music masterpieces, as well as some pieces that may be less familiar. His programs often feature works by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and others. Moyer engages the audience throughout the concert with entertaining and informative comments on the music.
“Fred Moyer performed with the Western Piedmont Symphony in April of this year, to great success,” said Dr. Christopher Nigrelli, director of the LRU Friends of Music Concert Series. “The audience that evening was very enthusiastic about his performance and the Lenoir-Rhyne Friends of Music were eager to bring him back to Hickory, this time for an evening dedicated to his solo performance.” (more…)
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Mon Aug 24 2009
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Visiting Writers Series announces its 2009-2010 schedule. The acclaimed series includes a wide variety of authors, who will read from and discuss their work on campus.
The Visiting Writers Series is free to the public thanks to the support of sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Catawba Valley Community Foundation, UNC-TV, Hickory Public Library, United Arts Council of Catawba County, Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Crowne Plaza hotel of Hickory and WFAE 90.7 FM, your NPR News Source. Series patrons qualify for reserve seating. All other seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required.
Richard Rodriguez will be the first writer this year. The Mexican-American essayist and novelist will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Belk Centrum. This reading is co-sponsored by Centro Latino and L-R’s Latino Initiative Task Force. Rodriguez is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-nominated “Days of Obligation: An Argument with My Mexican Father.” He has won the George Foster Peabody Award for his essays on the “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.”
Novelist Marisha Pessl will appear at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium. She will be interviewed by D.G. Martin, the host of the N.C. public television show “BookWatch.” The interview will be broadcast on the UNC-TV network later. Pessl’s first novel, “Special Topics in Calamity Physics” (2006) was named a Notable Book of the Year and Editor’s Choice by the New York Times. Her second novel, “Night Film,” is expected in 2010. (more…)
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Fri Aug 21 2009
An innovative, cost-sharing collaboration between Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Community College will bring an instructor for Mandarin Chinese to the two institutions for the 2009-2010 academic year.
“We are very excited about this joint collaboration,” stated Dr. Larry Hall, provost for Lenoir-Rhyne University. “This cooperative effort to bring Professor Cui Ping to our community allows us to provide our students language and cultural development regarding a key area of the world. It is another important part of Lenoir-Rhyne’s strategic efforts for greater global education for all our students.”
Dr. Garrett Hinshaw, president of Catawba Valley Community College, commented: “Embracing globalization and diversity is one of the seven major directions in our five-year strategic plan. The opportunity to partner with LRU to bring the Chinese language and culture into our community for higher educational purposes definitely moves us forward. We are looking forward to Cui Ping’s expertise and engagement with our students.”
Cui Ping, who has taught at the Nanjing University of Finance and Economics and at the high school affiliated with Nanjing (Normal) University, will teach Chinese (Mandarin) I during the fall semester, and Chinese I and II during the spring semester.
Ping will also serve as a guest speaker at a Lenoir-Rhyne Leadership Series event in the fall and as a panelist for a Charles M. Snipes Business School symposium on “Thriving in a Global Environment.”
Ping has great interests in Chinese culture, history, geography, literature and calligraphy. Organizations and civic groups that are interested in scheduling her for programs during the 2009-2010 year should contact the Office of International Education, Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Ping holds an undergraduate degree in English from Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, and a master’s in public administration from Nanjing University.
LRU and CVCC students will have the first opportunity to register for classes in Mandarin, but if space is available, persons in the community and local area high school students may also participate. Students may register for the fall semester class through Aug. 31. Persons interested in taking Chinese should contact Laura Coker in the Lenoir-Rhyne Registrar’s Office at 828-328-7279, or laura.coker@lr.edu for more information on cost and how to register.
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Wed Aug 19 2009
Lenoir-Rhyne University has received a commitment of $1.7 million to endow the university’s highly regarded Visiting Writers Series.
The endowment will be given through a planned gift from the estate of an anonymous donor. This gift will provide permanent support for the series, which is now entering its 21st year.
“The Visiting Writers Series is one of the premier cultural programs in the South,” said Dr. Wayne Powell, Lenoir-Rhyne president. “The commitment of this donor ensures that we will always have the funding to bring to Hickory the writers who inspire our minds and challenge our intellects.”
Dr. Rand Brandes, who has directed the series since its beginning, said the gift will allow Lenoir-Rhyne to plan for future programming, including expansion of the series and related events.
The goal of the Visiting Writers Series has been to offer the best possible programming to develop and support a community of readers. “Our donor has been involved with the Visiting Writers Series for many years and values reading as a central part of a liberal arts education,” Brandes said. “Having a vibrant Visiting Writers Series generates excitement about reading. It also encourages our students and the surrounding community to develop a habit of lifelong reading and learning.”
Brandes is a poet, Martin Luther Stevens Professor of English, and Writer-in-Residence. He gives much of the credit for the series’ success to the partnership between Lenoir-Rhyne University and a community-based Visiting Writers Steering Committee. This group of dedicated volunteers helps select the series’ writers and identifies funding sources for the series. Unlike many other programs of this kind, the L-R series has never charged admission for any of the author readings. Brandes said individual donors on all levels are still needed. (more…)
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Fri Aug 14 2009
Lenoir-Rhyne University recently welcomed its new class of N.C. Teaching Fellows.
The 23 students entering the Teaching Fellows program this year represent the largest group in the program’s three-year history at L-R. The new Teaching Fellows, listed by their hometowns, are as follows. Asheville: Rachel Welty; Belmont: Anna Falls; Black Mountain: Justin Lunsford; Burnsville: Courtney Barnett; Denver: Amber Bowles; Forest City: Ashley Shytle; Granite Falls: Anamaris Felix; Grifton: Samantha Eubanks; Hendersonville: Cristin Owens; Hickory: Lindsey Weaver; Kings Mountain: Rai Robinson; Kinston: Danielle Stallings; Lincolnton: Mollie Beam and William Farnsworth; Marion: Matt Amerto; Morganton: Amanda Hodge; North Wilkesboro: Anna Hayes; Shelby: Amy Austin; Statesville: Molly Haynes and Beth Feimster; Taylorsville: Tera Crisp; Wilkesboro: Mara Hall; Winston-Salem: Barbara Woodcock.
The students chosen for the highly competitive program have each made a commitment to a career in education. Each Teaching Fellow will receive a $26,000 scholarship/loan from the state in $6,500 annual increments. The full loan is forgiven after the Fellow has completed four years of teaching in the North Carolina public schools. Participants also receive a $26,000 scholarship from Lenoir-Rhyne, or $6,500 a year. (more…)
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Thu Aug 13 2009
The Charles M. Snipes School of Business at Lenoir-Rhyne University will present “Aspects of Leadership,” a series of talks by 11 accomplished leaders in different fields.
The series is sponsored by Alex Lee Inc. and will be moderated by Michael K. Dugan, Alex Lee Professor of Business at LRU and former CEO of Henredon Furniture. All of the seminars will take place at 6-7 p.m. in the Snipes Lecture Hall, Room 115 Mauney Hall. There will be no admission charge, but seating is limited. To reserve your place, contact Leeanne Kale at 828-328-7321.
On Sept. 2, Jay Reardon, president and CEO of Hickory Chair Co., who will speak on “Leadership in Manufacturing.”
On Sept. 9, Charles M. Snipes, retired president and CEO of the Bank of Granite, will speak on “Servant Leadership.”
On Sept. 16, Dr. Wayne M. Powell, president of Lenoir-Rhyne University, will speak on Leadership in Academia.
On Sept. 23, Roger Sarow, general manager of WFAE and WFHE public radio stations will discuss “Leadership in the Media.”
On Sept. 30, Mick Berry, city manager of Hickory, will discuss “Governmental Leadership”
On Oct. 7, Burney Jennings, president and CEO of Biscuitville, will talk about “Leadership’s Secret Ingredient.”
On Oct. 14, Clark Kinlin, president and CEO of Corning Cable Systems, will discuss “Global Leadership.”
On Oct. 21, Michael Blackburn, president and CEO of Frye Regional Medical Center, will speak on “Leadership in Healthcare.”
On Oct. 28, George Ackerman, president of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, will talk about “Leadership in Marketing.”
On Nov. 4, Michael Dugan, retired president and CEO of Henredon Furniture Industries, will present on “Leadership in the Furniture Industry.”
On Dec. 2, Richard A. Hibey, a partner in Miller & Chevalier, a legal firm in Washington, D.C., will discuss “Leadership Responsibility.”
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Thu Aug 13 2009
The Music Program of Lenoir-Rhyne University will present Jack Murray accompanied by Anna Brock in a recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Mauney Music Building on campus. Admission is free.
Murray is an adjunct professor of music at LRU who performs on many instruments, including the flute, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. Brock is a pianist and music teacher.
Murray will perform Mike Mower’s “Piccolo Sonata,” the Dutilleux “Sonatine for Flute,” the Cimarosa “Concerto for Oboe,” Horovitz’ “Sonatina for Clarinet,” Villa-Lobos’ “Fantasia” performed on soprano saxophone and “Concertino da Camera” on alto saxophone.
Murray plays in Broadway shows, symphony orchestras, jazz bands and rock bands, and does recording work. He played for the Independence Ball for President George W. Bush’s Inauguration in Washington, D.C., in 2005. He has toured with the Four Tops, the Temptations, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and has appeared with Michael Feinstein, Linda Eder, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Manhattan Transfer, Slide Hampton, Patti Austin, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Allen, Bernadette Peters, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, Linda Ronstadt, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. He was named “Most Outstanding Saxophone Performer” at the Mobile Jazz Festival in 1994. Murray is a Yamaha Artist.
Brock is a graduate of Oberlin College Conservatory, where she won both chamber music and concerto competitions. She received a DAAD fellowship for graduate study in vocal accompanying in Stuttgart, Germany. She has performed in concerts with the North Carolina Dance Theater, the Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte Symphony Oratorio Singers, and played for Broadway touring productions.
She was host of the Charlotte Symphony’s “Symphony 101″ lecture series, and has given pre-concert talks for the Charlotte Symphony and for concerts at Queens University. She currently teaches music theory at Charlotte Latin School, and accompanies the school’s choirs and music theater productions.
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