Following in the family footsteps with Bear Bound

As one of 92 new transfer students arriving at Lenoir-Rhyne this fall, Landon Arey ’25 has settled easily into life on campus as he pursues a double major in finance and economics. 

“These first few weeks have been interesting, but really good,” he said. “I’m still adjusting to navigating classes and extracurricular activities, but I have amazing roommates and great professors. I’m really happy to be here.”

Arey is among the first transfer students to enroll at Lenoir-Rhyne under Bear Bound, a partnership with 14 North Carolina community colleges introduced in February 2023. The agreement contains provisions to make a four-year degree more accessible and affordable, including a seamless credit transfer process and financial assistance for students at participating institutions. 

In addition to the Bear Bound benefits, Lenoir-Rhyne has another strong draw for Arey. His grandmother Candace “Candy” Johnson Arey graduated in 1973, and his grandfather Robert Arey graduated in 1975. After they married, the couple settled in Shelby, North Carolina where Robert ran the family’s oil company. 

“They’ve been together more than 50 years and are still so happy. When they got married, he told her she’d never have to work, and she never did,” Arey shared. “We have a really close family, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

Choosing to major in finance and economics, Arey is following his grandfather’s example as a leader in business. He is still deciding whether he wants to pursue work as an auditor or go with an entrepreneurial path — he’s considered both wholesale or retail plant sales because he loves gardening and establishing a non-profit to benefit children in foster care.

“I’m keeping my options open, and I know there are also ways I can do both over the long term,” said Arey.

Keeping those options open is much easier because Arey arrived at LR with 64 credit hours from Cleveland Community College in Shelby, fulfilling his general education requirements and allowing him to move directly into his major coursework, which has made it easier for him to pursue the double major that will give him flexibility after graduation.

“Morgan Logan, the assistant director of undergraduate admission, worked closely with Cleveland to smooth out the details of the transfer process,” Arey said. “It just took a lot of the stress away from transferring.”

Now that he’s here, Arey has discovered the support extends throughout campus. He credits the Student Life office with smoothing his way through the early adjustment to campus life, citing Kyle Bivens, area coordinator and coordinator of student life in residence, as an especially helpful resource.

“At Casino Night during orientation, he was working the crowd, making introductions, bringing people into conversations — helping us make new friends,” Arey shared. “He also introduced me to BEAR Central, pointing me toward the resources at the writing center when I needed some help early on.” 

Arey offered even higher praise for his professors and the small class sizes that have allowed him to get to know them. “They really care about their students and want to help. They’re also excellent assets for networking,” he added.

With the hurdle of midterms complete, Arey is feeling settled in and looking at extracurricular options, including Economics Club, Debate Team and possibly trying out for the soccer or track teams. He’s also taking the initiative to share his own interest in cooking with fellow students by starting a Culinary Club. 

“That’s why we’re all here – to enjoy the process, have fun and learn new things.”