Federal Reserve Bank official to speak at Fall Forum

Wed Nov 25 2009

Matthew A. Martin, senior vice president and Charlotte regional executive for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Fall Forum.

This event is hosted by the Charles M. Snipes School of Business faculty and the LRU Business Council Board of Directors. Martin will speak at a luncheon scheduled for 12:15-1:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Crowne Plaza hotel of Hickory. Registration will begin at 11:15 a.m., with a reception in the atrium lobby at 11:30 a.m. Tickets should be reserved by Dec. 7.

Martin is responsible for branch leadership and regional outreach in the Carolinas. He was named to his current position on March 1. He joined the Charlotte Branch as regional economist in 2006. In that role, his responsibilities included analyzing regional economic conditions, as well as developing relationships with and educating the region’s diverse constituents on the work of the Federal Reserve and the Richmond Fed.

Prior to joining the bank, Martin worked as an economist for Moody’s Economy.com. Other professional experience includes serving as an analyst with the Congressional Budget Office and as a faculty member at Kent State University, where he taught courses in macroeconomics, money and banking, and economic history.

Martin’s community involvement includes service on the boards of Community Link, North Carolina Council on Economic Education, South Carolina Council on Economic Education, and Junior Achievement of the Central Carolinas.

A Pennsylvania native, Martin earned a B.S. degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and after military service, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware.

Tickets for this event are $50 each for members of the Lenoir-Rhyne Business Council and $75 each for non-members. A table for eight is $350. To reserve your tickets, contact Leeanne Kale at leeanne.kale@lr.edu or call 828-328-7321.

SIM Man allows nursing students realistic practice

Wed Nov 25 2009

The Lenoir-Rhyne University nursing students bend over the patient lying on the hospital bed, checking his vital signs. “I’m sick!” he moans. Through their stethoscopes, they can hear his stomach rumbling. Then they hear an awful retching sound.

Fortunately for the students, that’s a realistic as it gets. Instead of a real patient, they are practicing their skills on “SIM Man,” a simulated patient operated by a computer.

The new mannequin, which cost approximately $42,000, is the latest tool for nursing students at Lenoir-Rhyne, allowing them to practice their skills before working with real patients. The funding for this high-tech piece of equipment was part of a larger grant to the university by the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trusts.

Sylvia Bradshaw, associate professor of nursing, said SIM man has heart and bowel sounds, and he can talk. He can be connected to a computer, which displays measurements showing his blood pressure and heart rate. The nursing professors can program him to simulate a variety of medical conditions. Then the students have to assess his condition, as if he were a real patient.

The School of Nursing already had a variety of mannequins, but SIM Man is by far the most life-like, Bradshaw said. Students can practice inserting tubes into him. He can be a cancer patient or have serious wounds. He can also become a female with a few modifications.

SIM Man responds to the treatment given by the students. “He will say, ‘Help me! Help me! I’m dying!” Bradshaw said. If the students don’t give the correct treatment, he can “die.”

Before acquiring SIM Man, the students could practice on less realistic mannequins, watch videos, or work with real patients under supervision.

Kara Ann Bogue of Hickory is a junior nursing student who has practiced with SIM Man. “It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “I’ve never seen anything like this.” She added, “We are practicing our assessment on SIM Man, so it takes that nervousness away.”

Bradshaw said, “Using SIM Man can ease them into using their skills in a safe environment.” Then the students are ready to continue their education in a clinical setting.

Christmas at Lenoir-Rhyne concerts announced

Tue Nov 24 2009

This year’s Christmas at Lenoir-Rhyne Concerts are organized around the words of the angel to the shepherds: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

The LRU choirs, Brass Ensemble, and Handbell Ensemble will present three free concerts this year at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Hickory. The concerts will be Saturday, Dec. 5 at 2:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. A tree-lighting ceremony will be held on campus following the Tuesday evening concert.

Each concert will feature the choir singing in candlelight. The first part of this year’s program will feature the College Singers, directed by Dr. Paul Weber and accompanied by Jeana Neal Borman. They will sing the Spanish dance carol, “Fum, fum, fum” arranged by Alice Parker; “Sure on This Shining Night” composed by Morten Lauridsen; Mendelssohn’s double quartet from “Elijah,” “For He Shall Give His Angels;” and two favorites of the season: John Rutter’s “Candelight Carol,” and “Carol of the Bells,” arranged by Peter Wilhousky.

Also in the first half of the program will be the Lenoir-Rhyne Community Handbell Ensemble conducted by Professor Jo Carol Thomason and the Lenoir-Rhyne University Brass Ensemble conducted by Dr. Christopher Nigrelli. The Handbell Ensemble will offer a setting of “On This Day Earth Shall Ring” arranged by Cathy Moklebust. The Brass Ensemble will perform, “The Angel Spoke to the Shepherds“ by Heinrich Schuetz, and a medley of Christmas carols arranged by Stan Pethel. The Brass Ensemble will also accompany the audience in several carols. (more…)

Moretz Foundation donates half a million dollars to LRU

Fri Nov 20 2009

The O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Inc. of Hickory, N.C., has donated $500,000 to Lenoir-Rhyne University for 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.
George A. Moretz is president of the family foundation and chairman of the board of Carolina Mills. As a business and community leader, he has seen the impact Lenoir-Rhyne has had on the Hickory area.

Moretz has served on the L-R Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2002, and from 2004 to the present. “I believe that Lenoir-Rhyne has a key role to play in the future development of Western North Carolina,” he said. “Our future economy will rely heavily on jobs requiring a strong science education. Jobs related to health care, science education, advanced technology, and green energy will become even more important in the future. In building the Science Complex, Lenoir-Rhyne is preparing the next generation of leaders for this region. In addition, this construction project will have a significant economic impact on the local economy.”

Dr. Wayne Powell, president of Lenoir-Rhyne University, said: “George Moretz and his family’s foundation have generously supported Lenoir-Rhyne and the Hickory community for many years. This support of our Science Complex combines both of those commitments by supporting a project that will help provide the best possible science education to the people in this region.”
Moretz is a founding member of the L-R Business Council and was a member of the Campaign Committee for the renovation of the Mauney-Schaeffer Conference Hall. A room in that building is named for the Moretz Foundation. The foundation also contributed to the construction of the L-R McCrorie Center and supports several scholarship funds at the university.

The Moretz family and their foundation have a long history of giving to Lenoir-Rhyne. The LRU Football Stadium is named for George Moretz’s parents, O. Leonard and Helen Moretz, in recognition of their $5 million gift.

George Moretz’s wife, Carolyn, is a former member of the L-R Board of Visitors and received the LRU Community Service Award in 2009. George Moretz is a graduate of N.C. State University, and Carolyn Moretz is a graduate of Peace College. They are active members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hickory and the parents of three adult children.

LRU to observe Thanksgiving holidays

Mon Nov 16 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University will observe Thanksgiving holidays Nov. 25-29. There will be no classes those days. Staff holidays will be Nov. 26-27. Most campus offices will be closed those days.

Mathematician to speak at LRU

Fri Nov 13 2009

Dr. Katrina Palmer, assistant professor of mathematics at Appalachian State University, will give two presentations at Lenoir-Rhyne University on Nov. 19-20 as part of the Steelman Lecture Series.

At 3 p.m. Nov. 19, she will speak on “Two Applications of Inverse Problems: Reflection Seismology and Image Restoration” in Minges Hall room 222. On Friday, Nov. 20, she will give a presentation at 9:20 a.m. in the Belk Centrum on “Medical Imaging with Connections to Math.” Both presentations are free and open to the public.

Palmer serves as graduate director for mathematics and math department coordinator for the Academy of Science at ASU. This program is funded by a National Science Foundation grant and provides funding for incoming math and science students. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Roanoke College, her master’s degree from ASU and her Ph.D. from Emory University.

Her research interests include numerical linear algebra, discrete ill-posed problems and regularization, signal and image processing, and image restoration.

She has presented regularly at the joint mathematics meetings and conferences of the N.C. Council of Teachers of Mathematics and is a member of the Association for Women in Mathematics, the American Mathematical Society and the Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics.

Her current research activities include biology applications in the mathematics curriculum, population models in ecology and epidemiology, and mathematics and science education at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

LRU achieves top ranking in volunteer program

Thu Nov 12 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University has achieved the highest level of participation in the state in the NC-ACTS Program, which encourages community service among college students.

The university was awarded spots for 40 participants this year, based on its participation last year. This year, 40 Lenoir-Rhyne University students have committed to giving 300 hours of community service each, for a total of 12,000 hours of service. In return, each of these students will receive a $1,000 scholarship through the NC-ACTS program, which is a part of N.C. Campus Compact.

NC-ACTS stands for North Carolina-Activating Citizenship Through Service! It is funded through the Corporation for National & Community Service. NC Campus Compact is a coalition of 45 colleges and universities collaborating to increase campus-wide participation in community and public service.

Last year, the Lenoir-Rhyne program was supervised by Brandon Ostwalt, a 2008 LRU graduate who served as NC Campus Compact/Americorps/VISTA volunteer. This year’s program is being supervised by Ashley Bryant, a 2009 Lenoir-Rhyne graduate.

Some of the other participating colleges in the program are the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, which filled 25 of its 30 spots; and UNC-Pembroke, which filled 23 of 25 spots. UNC-Wilmington filled 20 of its 20 spots, and Central Piedmont Community College filled 20 of its 20 spots. (more…)

LRU starts Equestrian Team

Wed Nov 11 2009

Lenoir-Rhyne University has a new Equestrian Team this year that competes in the Intercollegiate Dressage Association. The university has also begun offering horsemanship classes for the first time in many years, and has formed an Equestrian Club.

Last spring, the university offered Beginning Horseback Riding as a wellness class. Lenoir-Rhyne University students may take two wellness classes as one of their options to complete their healthful living graduation requirements. Dr. Katherine Pasour, dean of the College of Health Sciences and professor of Health, Exercise and Sport Science, said she began the Equestrian Club program at the suggestion L-R student Sarah Brown.

After an organizational meeting, there was enough interest to begin an Equestrian Club, which meets monthly. From the 20- plus students in the club, a group of eight was interested in competing at the intercollegiate level. This Equestrian Team, considered a “club sport” rather than a varsity sport, is competing for the first time this fall.

Dressage is an Olympic sport that emphasizes the horse’s obedience to the rider’s commands, conveyed through a series of often-subtle body movements. At its highest level, it is often described as “horse ballet.” In the competition, called a “test,” the horse is required to perform prescribed maneuvers at a certain time under the direction of the rider.

In the Intercollegiate Dressage Association, the hosting college furnishes the horses. The riders draw lots to determine which horse they will ride. There are four levels of difficulty in the competition.

For Kassie Endicott, a junior from Denver, N.C., the team provides a new way to continue riding. “I’ve been riding since I was 7, and it was a huge chunk of my life when I was growing up,” she said. “I’ve constantly worked at a riding stable or taken lessons (usually working in exchange for lessons). The summer before I came to college, I assumed that would be my last chance at being able to have this part of my life. I had nothing to do with horses for almost two years. It truly felt like a part of my life was missing.” She enrolled in the Beginning Horsemanship class last spring and was quickly drawn back into the world of riding. She is now president-elect of the Equestrian Team. (more…)

L-R Youth Chorus schedules concert

Mon Nov 9 2009

The Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus will hold its fall concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory. The concert is free and open to the public.

The LRYC is directed by Florence Jowers, associate professor of music at Lenoir-Rhyne University. At the concert, the group will perform a variety of works from Bach to spirituals. Christmas selections will also be included.

The LRYC will be assisted at this concert by a small chamber ensemble on Rene Clausen’s “Psalm 100.” The chorus will also sing Schubert’s “An die Musik” and Brahms’ “Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang,” a piece in Japanese, and several lighter works, including an arrangement of “Shenandoah.”

The chorus, including more than 100 members this year, rehearses at Lenoir-Rhyne University each Tuesday evening. Interested singers between the ages of 8 and 18 are auditioned and placed in either the beginning or advanced chorus. Both girls’ and unchanged boys’ voices are welcome.

Participants come from the Hickory Metro as well as Watauga and Lincoln counties. The Meistersingers, the group that tours, is preparing for a trip to New York City in June to sing in a choral festival in Carnegie Hall, under the baton of well-known clinician and conductor Elena Sharkova.

Auditions are being held now for the spring semester. Please call 828-328-7195 to schedule an audition. No prior music experience is necessary.

Concert Band concert to feature LRU student as soloist

Thu Nov 5 2009

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Concert Band will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the P.E. Monroe Auditorium on campus. This event is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.

Julia Byrd of Connelly Springs, a Lenoir-Rhyne junior, will be a featured soloist, performing “Variations on a Nursery Tune” by Ernö Dohnányi. Byrd began receiving piano lessons at the age of 10. She received a superior rating from the Piano Guild at the age of 15 and at age 16 began study with Dr. John Cheek, a member of the LRU music faculty. Byrd is currently a junior at Lenoir-Rhyne, pursuing a degree in piano performance.

In the spring of 2009, Byrd presented a recital with violist Jorge Martinez, a member of the La Catrina Quartet. She received an LRU Friends of Music Summer Study Award in 2008, enabling her to spend a week at the prestigious Orford Academy in Quebec. Last summer, she studied for nine weeks at Valor Summer Conservatory, a Christian music conservatory in Whitewater, Wisc.

The concert will begin with a performance of “Esprit de Corps” by Robert Jager. It will be followed by Byrd’s performance of “Variations on a Nursery Tune.” This is a humorous piece, combining serious elements with lighthearted ones. The composer wrote on the manuscript, “to the enjoyment of friends of humor, to the annoyance of others.” It pokes fun at various musical styles, cleverly introducing nursery tune themes when the listener least expects them.

Following the intermission, the program will continue with “Little Red Schoolhouse” by William Grant Still, “Shenandoah” by Frank Ticheli, and “Inventions from the Sacred Harp” by James Curnow. The program concludes with the popular “Washington Post March” by John Philip Sousa.

The Lenoir-Rhyne Concert Band is directed by Dr. Daniel Kiser, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of music. It combines the talents of Lenoir-Rhyne student musicians with those of community musicians.

For more information about this concert and the Music Program, go to http://mus.lr.edu/concert_band_concert.