Fast Facts
![LRU students on campus](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-06/students-on-lawn_0.jpg?itok=_btelw0b)
Lenoir-Rhyne is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
University Information
- Founded in 1891 by four Lutheran pastors
- Three locations: Hickory, N.C.; Asheville, N.C.; Columbia, S.C.
- Motto: Veritas vos Liberabit (the truth shall set you free)
- Alma mater: “Fair Star of Caroline”
- Mission, vision and values
Student Body
- 2,686+ students
- 1,783 undergraduate (on-campus in Hickory, N.C.)
- 903 graduate (on-campus and online)
- Student distribution: 40 states/territories; 77 North Carolina counties; 31 countries
- $30+ million awarded in scholarships and financial aid annually
- $100,000+ in study abroad scholarships for LR students
- 17,643+ living alumni (undergraduate and graduate degree holders) from all 50 states and many countries around the globe
![A student looks through a microscope](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/science-lab.jpg?itok=7B6-uuE_)
![Students looking over an assignment on a computer](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/business-students-studying.jpg?itok=5SIS5S7N)
![Health students diagnose symptoms on a simulation](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/health-science-students.jpg?itok=RTkMXsNY)
![Business students working on a projects](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/business-students_0.jpg?itok=rp3Xm59O)
Lenoir-Rhyne has a number of engaged and challenging programs that can lead you down the path to a fulfilling career.
In the Classroom
- Majors Offered: 50
- Minors: 53
- Graduate Programs: 20
- Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1
- Average class size: 22
- Faculty: 140 full time; 81% hold terminal degrees
![The full football stadium on gameday](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/stadium.jpg?itok=Nz8vCU6y)
![Soccer players celebrating](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/soccer-celebration.jpg?itok=pNAgNcNi)
![Former LR star Kyle Dugger running with the football](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/kyle-dugger.jpg?itok=46u4VL6_)
![A volleyball player spikes the ball](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/standard/public/2021-08/volleyball.jpg?itok=nlVai4hk)
LR's passionate fan base supports a number of championship-caliber intercollegiate athletic programs that compete as a member of the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference.
Athletics
- Mascot: Joe Bear
- Conferences: South Atlantic Conference
- Affiliation: NCAA Division II
- Teams: 23
![Katelyn Vause](http://1imk8.web-sitemap.ingeaa.net/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2021-07/katelyn-vause.jpg?itok=_2vdibzy)
I chose LR because I felt a connection to the school the first time I saw it. I liked the feel of a small campus and my scholarship made attendance affordable.
![A sampling of nine molds in petri dishes from Christina Fisher's research](/sites/default/files/styles/290x218/public/2024-04/mold-samples-grid.jpg?itok=kdDi4f1y)
In the microbiology lab, Christina Fisher '25 investigates the antimicrobial potential of molds and fungi, and the accolades are adding up.
View More![Four students study together around a table in front of a chalkboard](/sites/default/files/styles/290x218/public/2024-04/students-group-honors.jpg?itok=cO1ibKHI)
As students choose their classes for fall 2024, they may opt for one of the new interdisciplinary courses offered through the Fritz Honors College.
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