• Return to Normal University Operations on Thursday, Feb. 20

    Lenoir-Rhyne University will return to normal university operations on Thursday, Feb. 20, at our all of our campus locations—Hickory, Columbia and Asheville. Classes will resume as scheduled, and all offices will be open.

    UPDATE: Feb. 20, 9:15 a.m. (from Academic Affairs)
    Due to the recent weather changes in Hickory, you may opt to move your classes to remote delivery today if you have concerns about safely traveling to campus. If you choose to hold classes remotely, please notify your students and your dean as soon as possible.

    For those holding in-person classes, we ask that you exercise flexibility with attendance policies, understanding that some students may face transportation challenges or safety concerns. Students should not feel compelled to risk unsafe travel conditions to attend class.

    Please communicate your teaching plans to your students and your dean.

    Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring everyone's safety while maintaining academic continuity.

University forms new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council charge is to look at all that we do through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.

  • Published September 10, 2021

The council will help us implement education, training and revisions to policies and procedures in an effort to make Lenoir-Rhyne the most welcoming and engaging campus possible for all members of our community.

The council meets twice monthly and is developing a work plan for Lenoir-Rhyne to enhance our DEI initiatives and make recommendations to move our entire LR community forward.

A representative group of faculty from each college, staff, students, administration, athletics, Columbia and Asheville.

The council is chaired by Avery Staley, our new vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Council Members

2021-2022 Members

  • Avery Staley, Vice President Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Chair)
  • Eric Brandon, Enrollment Management and International Affairs
  • Todd Cutter, Campus Pastor
  • Angelene Fortune, Director of Human Resources
  • Lesly James, Occupational Therapy, Columbia Campus
  • Michael Lemke, College of Education
  • Ryan Luhrs, College of Fine and Applied Arts
  • Mindy Makant, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Keith McDade, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics,  Asheville Campus
  • Kiara Moore, Student Representative
  • Cat Niekro, Vice President Advancement and Marketing
  • Tunay Orguz, College of Business
  • Kim Price, College of Health Science
  • AJ Qureshi, Office of Student Success and First-Year Advising
  • Michael Spivey, Counseling Services
  • Everick Sullivan, Athletics, Head Men’s Basketball Coach

News & Events

Fred Whitt and Harry Titus shake hands by the podium on the PE Monroe stage
LR introduces equity award to honor MLK

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Equity Award will recognize campus and community leaders for their work building a more inclusive and connected world.

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Normandy Bryant presents a liturgical dance during the 2024 MLK Celebration
Lenoir-Rhyne hosts third-annual MLK Day Prayer Breakfast and Celebration

Campus and community will once again join to celebrate the legacy of the Civil Rights icon and continue his work through spiritual and public service.

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February 23-24 / Belk Centrum
Playmakers: "Radium Girls" - Feb. 20-23
March 17 / Belk Centrum
LR Wind Ensemble: “Student Conductors Concert”
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