Lenoir-Rhyne University & LTSS Sign Merger Agreement This is the story of two great institutions building a partnership that is being watched around the country. One is a surprisingly ecumenical seminary preparing mostly Lutheran – but also Baptist, Methodist, AME and Episcopal – ministers on its Main Street campus in Columbia, SC. The other, 140 miles north, is a rising university in Hickory, North Carolina. Come July 1, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) will officially join forces with Lenoir-Rhyne University in what some say is a “gamechanging” merger between the two. Both are affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and both have deep roots in the Carolinas. Through this merger, LTSS will become part of the School of Theology of Lenoir-Rhyne
University, but will maintain its historical identity and location in Columbia, SC. This is the first such marriage among the 26 colleges/universities and eight seminaries of the ELCA. Of the two institutions, LTSS is the elder sibling. Established in 1830, the seminary is a survivor. It has outlasted the Civil War, the Depression, two world wars, and countless sink-or-swim moments. Lenoir-Rhyne, by comparison, is the youthful upstart. It was founded in 1891 as Highland College, soon became Lenoir College, then Lenoir-Rhyne College and finally in 2008 rose up to become a full-fledged university. This summer, the two will unite to create an unparalleled force in Carolina higher education. “This merger shows the kind of trust that developed among the leaders of each institution,” explains the Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Miller, President of LTSS. “Going forward, we have the promise of a vibrant, singular mission. That’s powerful.” L-R President Wayne Powell calls the merger “a win-win for both institutions. As one university, we will be both broader and deeper, and that
Alumni Association
Online Newsletter Spring 2012
HAPPENINGS
makes it a win for students, faculty, and alumni as well.” For the current year, LTSS enrolls some 150 students compared to L-R’s 1,861 undergraduates and graduate students. Add additional students from the new Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville that Lenoir-Rhyne is set to launch this fall, and university enrollment is poised to rise significantly. The LTSS and L-R merger is expected to be a key driver. “LTSS and Lenoir-Rhyne have similar missions but unique strengths,” Dr. Powell explains. “For the university, the seminary expands our offerings in theological education and extends our geographic reach. For the seminary, Lenoir-Rhyne offers economies of scale in everything from IT costs to student support services. Plus, our undergraduate population provides a natural pipeline of students for the seminary.” Powell expects synergies between the two components of the expanded university to fuel not only growth, but innovation. L-R Provost Dr. Larry Hall and LTSS Academic Dean Rev. Dr. Ginger Barfield are working on the answers. “We live in a world where the traditional boundaries that separate things
are blurring,” Dr. Hall notes. “Today, preparing for ministry isn’t just about theology. It’s also about psychology, economics, and world history. And take business majors – where do they develop the ethical and spiritual dimensions so desperately needed in business leaders?” “That,” Dr. Barfield adds, “is where the synergy, the opportunity, comes in. I expect to see the seminary and the university develop new, cross-disciplinary ways of educating students – one that works in Hickory, in Columbia, and around the world.” Church leaders also see the merger as a winwin for the denomination. The Rev. Mark T. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, points out that “both institutions will be enriched with a greater diversity and an increased capacity to serve both church and society.” The Rev. Dr. William B. Trexler, LTSS Board Chair, agrees, pointing out that “Significant financial savings are already resulting from sharing administrative costs and consolidating redundant services.” Charles Snipes, Chair L-R Board of Trustees, is optimistic. “As we continue to rise up, Lenoir-Rhyne will be one of the great success stories for higher education – and theological education – in the 21st century.”
Join Lenoir-Rhyne University Alumni and Friends to Experience...
Ireland * Dublin * County Wicklow * Belfast * Kilkenny * Cliffs of Moher * Adare * Limerick * Bunratty *
November 3 - 10, 2012 The scenic splendor of lofty mountain peaks, crystal lakes,and leafy vales combine with legendary Irish warmth to create a rich tapestry in this memorable 8-day tour. $2,699 pp (dbl occ) - plus air taxes exceeding $350, pending air confirmation. Find out more at alumni.lr.edu/travelprogram
Capital Campaign Update Like the old cliche goes, it’s not over until it’s over. That is the attitude Lenoir-Rhyne faculty and staff are taking with the campaign. For three focused weeks in March L-R’s backbone showed their support in the Capital Campaign efforts. More than $363,500 was raised toward the chapel and science complex projects. This made the giving percentage ninety percent! Congratulations to all the schools and colleges that participated in the giving efforts, and most especially to the liaisons who worked hard within their designated areas:
Beverly Hefner, Krystal Phillips, Karen Feezor, Burl McCuiston, John Cheek, Michelle Rimer, Gordon Cappelletty, Toni Oakes, Jane Moretz, Dave Markland, Mike Langford, Jessica O’Brien, Neal Gray, Joe Smith, Lisa Harris, Katie Fisher, Rick Nichols, Richard Greene, Wayne Powell, Julie Voss, Terri Barrett, Beth Wright, and Dale Burnside
Graduate Center Coming in August offers that extra boost Are you satisfied where you are and where you’re headed? Do you want to make a change, move up the ladder or pursue a different path entirely? Lenoir-Rhyne can assist you in that career change or advancement effort. Starting in August, the University will provide excellent graduate education at a new location in Asheville. The Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville was founded to prepare innovative leaders to serve the current and future needs of Western North Carolina and beyond. The Center will offer nine new graduate programs to Western North Carolina, including a Dietetics Internship, Master of Science in Nursing (Education & Administration) Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Sustainability Studies, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Community College Administration, Master of Business Administration (with various specializations), and Master of Arts in Writing. Find out more about the up-and-coming Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville at asheville.lr.edu.
LRU Graduate Students Participate in Global Video Challenge
many individuals he’d met the prior year. Ty explains the foundation of their efforts in Haiti, “It is intended that this leadership be organic and built on trust, lasting Can an MBA change the world? The Global generation to generation. It is also our hope to see these Business School Network (GBSN) thinks it can, and leaders become Christian difference makers in their so do MBA students at Lenoir-Rhyne University. society for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.” MBA students enrolled in the Global Sustainability The LR video highlights Dago and Roger, a and Social Responsibility Series with the Charles M. small businessman and a fisherman, respectively. Ty and Snipes School 14 of his classmates set out to explore this idea further of Business by developing a web site and a blog as resources for at Lenoirhelping better in Haiti (mbachallenge-haiti.com). It is Rhyne recently the hope of this project that MBA students at Lenoircompleted a Rhyne will continue exploring how an MBA can help unique project better; this will include teams traveling to Haiti and that culminated remaining involved in the ongoing recovery efforts there. in a submission If chosen as the top submission to meet the to the GBSN Challenge criteria, one member from the LRU team Video will win an all-expense paid trip to India for the GBSN Challenge. Annual Conference in June 2012 to present the video This challenge and to explain the project initiative as they related to the is related to an initiative to apply MBA principles to synergy of the assessment of the course objectives and assist the citizens of Haiti to develop business-skills. the project objectives. The LRU students titled the project Helping Better in Haiti. GBSN established the Video Challenge in 2011 to demonstrate that “Emerging markets need business leadership to bring innovative ideas, strategic Exploration and Creative Thinking visions and specialized skills to market their resources, at the Center of LRU Kids in improve living standards and achieve sustainable growth. Business schools and their students play a key College Program role in realizing development goals – from creating social innovation to improving health care to achieving Applications are now being accepted for Kids in shared economic growth – and we’re looking for MBAs College, the Lenoir-Rhyne University summer who are making a difference.” enrichment program for students who have The video submitted by Lenoir-Rhyne was completed kindergarten through sixth grade this recently named as one of the top five, gathering the spring. This year, the program will focus on the highest number of online votes among all submissions, STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and and will be now judged by a panel of global business Mathematics). experts including executives from GMAC, Coca-Cola, USAID, and others. Other schools submitting videos The cost of the program is $325 per week. Additional included Dartmouth, UNC-Chapel Hill, University of information and registration forms can be found on Notre Dame, University of Maryland and international the LRU web site at http://edu.lr.edu/kidsincollege. submissions from University of Southern Queensland Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis and Universidad de los Andes, to name a few. for qualified students. MBA student Ty Dannenbring coordinated the submission from LR. Ty visited Haiti for the first Contact Professor Jayme Linton, program director, at time in March 2011. While there, he noticed how the 828-267-3442 or jayme.linton@lr.edu for additional skills he was learning as an MBA student could be information. useful in serving those in need. Ty went back to Haiti this March and was able to see the progress made by
Guess what’s available on the alumni website? Photos from the 2012 Alumni Weekend reunions! Check it out: alumni.lr.edu
A message from the President of the Alumni Association On April 14th, during Lenoir-Rhyne’s annual Alumni Weekend, I was installed as President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. I want to hear from you! What would you like to see the Alumni Board of Directors do for you? We have a very dedicated & hard working Alumni Board this coming year. We were excited to introduce the Alumni Society last year and they are hard at work. Since the Alumni Board of Directors has a limited number of positions, we found that there were many alumni who wanted to serve LR, but not in an official capacity. You may review more about this group at http://alumni.lr.edu/alumnisociety. If you are interested in serving either on the Alumni Board or the Alumni Society, please let me know.
Please place the below alumni events on your calendar: * June 13th – Wilmington & area LR Alumni – Evening at the home of class of 1969 alumna Kathy McKenzie’s home (In the Landfall area) * October 12th & 13th – Homecoming (LR Campus)
There will be other events happening in your area and on the LR campus. Keep an eye on the alumni Website, http://alumni.lr.edu/. If we are holding an event in your city, please come out and show your support. Since the June 13th alumni event will be held in Wilmington, I encourage you to please plan to attend. This will be a very unique & informative event. There will be other LR dignitaries attending this event as well. You won’t want to miss this one! Come hear about the recent merger with Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) & the new Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, as well as other exciting things going on. You should soon receive an invitation in the mail soon. Registration is already underway at http://alumni.lr.edu/wilmington2012. If you do not receive an invitation, you are still invited! Just send an e-mail to lru.director@alumni.lr.edu, or call 828-328-7171. Please spread the word to other local LR alumni. LRU License Plate – Please let me see a show of hands of those of you who have an LRU or LRC license plate on your car. Did you know that a portion of the proceeds from these plates goes into a scholarship fund? It is also a great way to show how proud we are to be an LR Bear! Local sporting events – Keep an eye on the LR Athletic schedules for games in your area. If there is an athletic event being held in your city, please make plans to attend and cheer our Bear team to victory! It will mean a LOT to our teams to hear cheers from fellow Bears when they play at a visitors location. If you haven’t been to the LR campus in awhile, it would be worth a drive to Hickory to check it out. Don’t forget to stop by the Cloninger Alumni House and say hello! I hope to see you at any and all alumni events, both on and off campus. Have a GREAT day!
Go Bears! Robert McIver, Class 1977 2012-2013 President of the Alumni Association
L-R Softball Wins Its Third Straight League Tournament Title, 4-3 Over Anderson
Sophomore shortstop Jody Mizelle (Colerain, N.C.) hit a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning to give Lenoir-Rhyne (46-11) a 4-3 win over Anderson (38-13) in the championship game of the 2012 Food Lion SAC Softball Tournament Sunday at Red Edmonds Field. The Bears, ranked No. 21 in the nation, also won their third straight league tournament title and received an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The league tournament was the seventh overall in school history for Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears also won in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The 2012 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Softball All-Tournament Team and Most Valuable Player award will be announced Monday by the conference office.
COMING SOON: Spring Graduation Commencements Thursday & Friday, May 10 & 11, 2012 Alumni & Friends Event in Wilmington, NC Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Musician Tells Whimsical Stories Through Her Music The LenoirRhyne Youth Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 6, at 7:00 pm. The concert will be held at First Baptist Church, Hickory, and is free and open to the public. Each spring the choir honors its graduating seniors, and this year they are: Meredith Gladden and Sarah McNeil – Fred T. Foard High School; Haley King – University Christian High School; Emma Hathcock and Savannah Peterson – homeschooled; Hannah Alms – Hickory High School; Taylor Campbell – West Alexander Central High School; Genevieve Allan – Lincoln Charter School; and Briannen Arey – Newton-Conover Health Science High School. The choir will travel to Denver, Colorado, for the international “Sing A Mile High Festival,” with acclaimed conductor and composer David Brunner. While in Colorado, the choir will have a chance to tour the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and to take a train to the top of Pike’s Peak, among other things. LRYC is currently holding auditions for the 2012 – 2013 season. For more information, or to schedule an audition, please call 828.328.7195.
Giving to Lenoir-Rhyne...easier than you think
Everyone who knows Lenoir-Rhyne agrees-there’s something special about our university. As an alum, parent or friend you noticed that we hold forth the institutional values of excellence, integrity, care and curiousity. As a student of L-R maybe you had a professor who taught you how to think, a coach who showed you how to lead, or a mentor who set you on your professional path. As a friend of L-R you may have had the opportunity to grow through the many events offered during the school year. No matter what your connection to Lenoir-Rhyne you know it is a place that is rising to the future. Your gifts to the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne make it possible for the University to offer one-of-kind experiences to students who may have never been given the opportunity to live outside their small town. With your help, students and the community are able to rise up and see the world and receive a value oriented education. You make the difference in keeping L-R that special place.
Thank You! Thank you to the 3,116 alumni, parents, and friends who made a gift to The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne this past year! Thank you for making the 2010-2011 year a great one, with your support $7.1 million was raised to support students! From all of us at Lenoir-Rhyne, thank you! Take a look at our Honor Roll of Donors to see who else is making a difference: http://issuu.com/ thefundforlenoir-rhyne/docs/ honor-roll_2011
Congratulations to the Class of 1962 for making the largest class gift in Lenoir-Rhyne history! They raised $126.022.23 in honor of their fiftieth anniversary.
Have a suggestion, article idea, or information you would like to see in a future edition of The Profile or this alumni e-newsletter? Send it to lru.director@alumni.lr.edu, or call 828.328.7171.