Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University A leading professionally focused university in the Southeast known for preparing life-ready graduates. Extracurricular activities are abundant at LRU.
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Our main campus is in Hickory, NC, and also are in Asheville, NC, and online. Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is celebrating 125 years of providing exceptional higher education opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The private, coeducational, liberal arts university encompasses three campuses in two states: a primary campus extending over 100-acres in the heart of Hickory, North Carolina, the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, NC, and the Center for Graduate Studies of Columbia, SC which shares a campus with the LR Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS). Today, more than 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled across the three campuses. This past academic year, LR welcomed its largest freshmen class, largest number of international students as well as its largest graduate classes at its Hickory and Asheville campuses in school history. The student to faculty ratio is 13:1, and there are over 50 undergraduate majors and 26 graduate programs for students to choose from. Recently added majors include criminal justice and social entrepreneurship, as well as graduate programs in exercise science and physician assistant studies. The challenging academic course work is supported by internships, mentor opportunities, work study, and study abroad programs designed to enhance the learning experience. Academic honor societies and organizations – such as the Lineberger Fellows – offer additional opportunities to challenge the intellectually gifted. LR competes in the South Atlantic Conference of the NCAA Division II in 22 varsity sports for men and women. Recreational sports, fraternities and sororities, service organizations, music and theater programs, student government, and faith-based groups are just some of avenues that allow students to pursue their passions. Lenoir-Rhyne is affiliated with the NC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious denominations and backgrounds. At Lenoir-Rhyne University, we encourage thoughtful and insightful conversation from students, faculty, staff, family, alumni, and the community. We will delete comments that contain abusive, vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language, personal attacks of any kind, or offensive terms that target individuals or groups. Users who have a continued pattern of negative or disruptive behavior on Lenoir-Rhyne social media accounts may be banned from the pages and reported to the host site.

🐻 Lenoir-Rhyne is making its mark! Now ranking  #1 among private universities in Western North Carolina and  #3 among al...
09/22/2026

🐻 Lenoir-Rhyne is making its mark! Now ranking #1 among private universities in Western North Carolina and #3 among all private regional universities in North Carolina in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.

See what you 𝗖𝗮𝗻. 𝗗𝗼. at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Big news for Greek Life! 🐻A new home for LR fraternities and sororities is coming. A property adjacent to campus will be...
09/21/2026

Big news for Greek Life! 🐻

A new home for LR fraternities and sororities is coming. A property adjacent to campus will become a dedicated space for connection, programming, leadership development and community.

The announcement comes as Greek Life is growing, with 64 students joining a fraternity or sorority this fall — a 178% increase over last year.

Stay tuned for details as plans take shape!

Family Weekend is officially here! 🐻We’ve got a full weekend ahead around campus. Check out the Family Weekend schedule,...
09/18/2026

Family Weekend is officially here! 🐻

We’ve got a full weekend ahead around campus. Check out the Family Weekend schedule, then join us between the bricks for some Bears football at 6 p.m. Saturday! 🏈

One week ago, Andrew McCarthy opened the 2026–27 Visiting Writers Series with a sold-out evening of stories about friend...
09/17/2026

One week ago, Andrew McCarthy opened the 2026–27 Visiting Writers Series with a sold-out evening of stories about friendship, writing, travel and the strange but beautiful afterlife of teen stardom.

McCarthy talked about reconnecting with old friends and trusting the “not knowing” that leads to great ideas and great writing. Both require the simple act of showing up.

Two brothers in the audience had already taken that idea to heart. They built a road trip around McCarthy’s visit and added time for friends along the way.

Relive the evening and read their story with the link in the comments.

09/15/2026

One ticket. THREE games 🎟️ 🐻

The purchase of a Football ticket gets you in FREE to both soccer and volleyball. Purchase your tickets at lrbears.com/tickets
Come spend the day with the Bears!!

⚽️ Women’s Soccer- 12pm
🏐 Volleyball- 2pm
🏈 Football- 6pm

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09/14/2026

Big changes are coming to the Hickory campus. 🏗️🐻

Construction begins this month on Eastside Commons, Lenoir-Rhyne's new first-year residence hall.

Opening in fall 2027, Eastside Commons will be home to 246 first-year students. Plans call for a new dining hall, classrooms, study and gathering spaces, beach volleyball and a firepit.

Take a look at what’s coming. 👀

Read the full story with the link in the comments!

Today, the Lenoir-Rhyne community comes together to remember the lives lost and honor the heroes of September 11, 2001. ...
09/11/2026

Today, the Lenoir-Rhyne community comes together to remember the lives lost and honor the heroes of September 11, 2001. On the 25th anniversary, we continue to remember and reflect on the lasting impact of that day.

🐻 Bears, let’s show up for one of our own!Kevin Miller ’26 is one of 16 finalists in the statewide Startup Showdown, com...
09/08/2026

🐻 Bears, let’s show up for one of our own!

Kevin Miller ’26 is one of 16 finalists in the statewide Startup Showdown, competing for up to $30,000 to launch his motorcycle tourism business in Western North Carolina.

Community voting is open through Sept. 15, and every YouTube like counts as a vote.

Watch Kevin’s pitch, give it a like and help a fellow Bear take the next step toward his dream. 🏍️

09/04/2026

A behind-the-scenes look at the Bear Brigade shirts coming to life with the help of Innovative Outfitters. 🐻🏈

We can’t wait to see the Bear Brigade charge across the field tomorrow before we take on West Alabama at 3 p.m.!

Meet Ethan Craig ’30. He hasn’t even finished his third week of college, and he already has a museum internship — and a ...
09/02/2026

Meet Ethan Craig ’30. He hasn’t even finished his third week of college, and he already has a museum internship — and a story about bestselling author Jan Karon’s first haircut — under his belt.

After spending his summer learning the ins and outs of museum curation at the Mitford Museum in Hudson, N.C., the art major is bringing his curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for community to LR.

“I just want to go in with curiosity. I want to learn as much as I can. I want to improve as much as I can.”

Ethan is going to fit right in.

Read the full story with the link in the comments!

Address

625 7th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC
28601

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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