Lenoir-Rhyne names first Provost for Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary - Columbia

After a national search for a new leader, Lenoir-Rhyne University has selected the Rev. Dr. Clayton J. Schmit as the founding Provost of the School of Theology that includes the Columbia, SC, based Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. He will assume this position as the chief administrative officer of the School of Theology and its seminary before the fall semester 2012. Dr. Schmit becomes the 18th leader of the Seminary and the first under the newly structured LR School of Theology. On July 1, Lenoir-Rhyne University (LRU) and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) merged into a single university with a multi-campus School of Theology. The combination of the seminary

with the university becomes the first such arrangement in Lutheran higher education in the United States. The new School of Theology at Lenoir-Rhyne encompasses the advanced degree programs at LTSS in Columbia, SC, as well as the traditional undergraduate programs in religion and theology at the LRU campus in Hickory. Plans are for the School of Theology to also offer graduate programs at the new LRU Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville. Dr. Wayne Powell, president of LRU, commented,

“We are fortunate to have been able to hire someone with the skills and background of the Rev. Dr. Schmit. He is an individual of great vision with a keen sense of the needs of others, and as such is the perfect person to lead LRU and LTSS as we set the course for the future of theological education in the U.S.”

Alumni Association Online Newsletter Summer 2012

HAPPENINGS

Check out the latest information about Lenoir-Rhyne’s newest campus in Columbia, SC. Let us show you how we continue to rise up! http://ltss.lr.edu/

Fall Term Discount at the Graduate Center in Asheville

The Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville is offering a one-time special discount rate for students entering in the fall 2012 semester. Any student taking six or more credit hours will receive a 10 percent discount on tuition during the fall term. “There are so many benefits to getting an advanced degree,” says Paul Knott, Ed.D., center director. “In this economy, the cost of going back to school can be intimidating. We hope that this special offer can make it a little easier for potential graduate students in Asheville and beyond.”

The Center will offer the following degree programs:

Health Care/Sciences * Dietetics Internship (focus on obesity in children) * Master of Public Health * Master of Science in Nursing

Business and Government * Master of Business Administration (with the following concentration options): * Business and Sustainability - “green MBA” * Tourism and Hospitality * Health Care Administration * Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization * Arts Entrepreneurship

Liberal Arts and Sciences * Master of Arts in Writing * Master of Science in Sustainability Studies * Master of Arts in Education and Human Services * Master of Arts in Counseling * Master of Arts in Community College Administration * Master of Arts in Teaching

http://asheville.lr.edu/home

Great Books - Non-degree seeking participants

Readings from the Great Books Foundation anthologies The Seven Deadly Sins and Even Deadlier and the LRU Campus Read, The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brain, by Nicholas Carr. Books may be purchased at the LRU Book Store. Join us as we take it to the edge and discuss short stories by world-class writers that explore the mystery, intrigue and thrill of the Seven Deadly Sins. We’ll begin with Carr’s provocative book that will perhaps change Seven into Eight deadly delights.

Time: 9:00-11:00 amDay: Wednesday -- every two weeks

(8/22; 9/5; 9/19; 10/3; 10/17; 10/31; 11/14; 11/28)Place: LRU Cromer Center Fireside Room

Cost: $125 or Senior Bear “President’s Level”* *$125 applied to LR Humanities Forum

registration

The format will be informal, facilitated discussions. There will be no tests quizzes, or papers. For more information contact Dr. Rand Brandes at brandes@lr.edu or 328-7077. Continue the Great Books discussions at the LR Humanities Forum at the beautiful Wildacres Conference Center near Little Switzerland, NC, May 16-19, 2013.

Like the old cliche goes, it’s not over until it’s over.

....That’s why we want you to know how important your support is during this campaign. Ever wonder how your dollars help? Really help? Well, why not look around LR’s web site and see how you are supporting LR’s campus, its students, and see exactly how YOU are changing the future of Lenoir-Rhyne.

http://universityrising.lr.edu/

Know a potential student interested in coming to one of L-R’s three campuses? Then, we applaud them for wanting to be a part of such an important team! Call on an admission’s counselor today and ask how someone can become enrolled. 828.328.7300 | lr.edu/admissions

http://www.facebook.com/LRUAdmissions

University bestows honorary recognition to three

On May 11, Lenoir-Rhyne University presented two honorary doctorates and a Trustee Award posthumously at the commencement exercises. Those honored included the Rev. Kirk Perry Bridgers (honorary Doctor of Divinity), Ronald E. Deal (honorary Doctor of Humane Letters), and the late William M. Mauney ‘65 (Trustee Award posthumously). For more information about these gentlemen and the honors bestowed upon them, go to http://www.lr.edu/blog/lrunews/?p=3131#more-3131

LRU professor featured in New Princeton Review book, “The Best 300 Professors”

Lenoir-Rhyne University has one of the country’s best undergraduate teachers, according to

The Princeton Review. The Massachusetts-based education services company profiles outstanding professors at 122 colleges in its new book, “The Best 300 Professors.” Among them is LRU Professor of Biology, Dale F. Burnside. Professor Burnside is the only professor teaching in North Carolina included in this publication.

Published in April, “The Best 300 Professors” is a project that The Princeton Review teamed up with RateMyProfessors.com - the highest-trafficked college professor ratings site in the U.S. The book’s impressive roster of top teachers features professors in more than 60 fields ranging from Accounting to Neuroscience to Sport Management. The selection process took into account qualitative and quantitative data from survey findings and ratings collected by both The Princeton Review and RateMyProfessors.com. The professors featured in the book are a truly select group. From an initial list of 42,000 professors considered, the final group of “best” professors chosen constitutes less than 0.02% of the roughly 1.8 million post-secondary teachers instructing students at colleges and universities across the U.S. The professors in the book are not ranked (nor are their colleges ranked in this book) but each professor profiled received high ratings from their most important audiences, beneficiaries and critics: The students. “Stories and examples help students to understand concepts,” says Burnside, who said, “Biology is fascinating. My mind gets wrapped up with it.” He transmits this devotion to his students, letting them know he is “actively involved in their learning” and that he gives them the foundation and the tools for thinking and solving problems. A former student refers to her experience as “one of the most fun classes ever....He speaks on your

level and makes class enjoyable. You won’t be skipping his class.” Professor Burnside began teaching in 1964 in Cincinnati, OH, at Aiken High School. He has been at Lenoir-Rhyne since 1974. Even after teaching for forty-four years, Professor Burnside still prepares every class to make it “fresh and new.” “I am blessed to be in this career. The students are very good to me,” he says. His classes are arranged into an organized presentation of basic facts followed by thought provoking questions ideas and student response, which students say “makes learning fun and exciting.” Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s Senior VP and Publisher said the book was developed as a tribute to the extraordinary dedication of America’s undergraduate college professors and the vitally important role they play in our culture, and our democracy. “Together, with Dale Burnside’s students who rated him so highly, we salute the LRU professor and each of the other professors we profile for their outstanding teaching,” Franek said.

A message from the President of the Alumni Association

Hello, hard-working and busy LR Alumni! Can you believe it….summer’s here! Even though LR students are on break, the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Alumni Society, and LR staff are hard at work. The Alumni Association Board and Alumni Society held their annual Summer Retreat a few weeks ago. They brainstormed ideas and events for the Association for the coming year. We were excited to introduce the NEW Alumni pin, the first of its kind, just before the May graduation. These will be available for sale very soon. Keep an eye out for them in the LR Bookstore. As you heard, the merger with Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in Columbia, SC is in full swing and will be fully operational by the first week of July. This is such an exciting adventure for LR and really puts us on the map. As noted in the LRU News, “It’s the first such arrangement in Lutheran higher education in the United States.” To read more about this, go to the LRU Web site, lr.edu, and click on the “News/Events” link at the top of the page. Another new and exciting addition to the LR family is the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, scheduled to open this coming fall. Our Alumni family grows with the addition of these two fabulous graduate campuses! Be sure to check out the Alumni link on the LR home page for possible events coming to your area, as well as Alumni things happening on campus: http://alumni.lr.edu/. If you would like to host an LR Alumni event in your city, please contact Suzanne Jackson, suzanne.jackson@lr.edu. Note this year’s Homecoming dates on your calendar: October 12th and 13th. Join us for some really good BBQ, hot dogs, and a morning of fun, fun, fun followed by a great football game. Please feel free to contact me or any of the Alumni Board members if you have any questions or recommendations. We’re all “B”ears!

Go Bears! Robert McIver, Class 1977 2012-2013 President of the Alumni Association

Save the Dates....for some important events

LRU Family Weekend 2012 -- September 14 & 15 -- This year’s schedule has a wide variety of engaging opportunities, including classroom experiences, co-curricular opportunities, conversations with faculty and staff, and athletic events. Families are allowed to pick and choose the events they would like to attend. If you have any questions about Family Weekend, please call the Dean of Students Office at 828-328-7247. For more information online, go to http://student.lr.edu/best-of-lru.

LRU Homecoming 2012 -- October 12 & 13 -- It’s always a treat to come “home” to Bear country. Don’t miss this year’s spectacular campus-wide celebration with reunions for MANY classes, the annual parade, and watch as L-R takes on Tusculum. Events and information are listed on the alumni web site at http://alumni.lr.edu/ and registration begins on August 20. If you are traveling out of town, be sure to book your hotel today as there are many events taking place in Hickory that weekend.

Giving to Lenoir-Rhyne... easier than you think 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 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 2011-2012 year a great one. With your support $7.1 million was raised to support students! From all of us at Lenoir-Rhyne, thank you!

In France, they call a bear: ours, which is exactly what Lenoir-Rhyne thinks of its 1976 graduate, Alfred Current. Recently, Mr. Current went to France and sent us some snapshots of his trip. Bon Voyage!