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X. HISTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION
Four Lutheran ministers
in church and educational work in western North Carolina in the late nineteenth
century conceived the idea of Lenoir-Rhyne University. The men – Dr. R. A. Yoder,
Dr. J. C. Moser, Dr. W. P. Cline and the Reverend A. L. Crouse - shared the
desire of other church leaders that the church establish an institution at
Hickory to train teachers and ministers and offer a religiously-oriented
education to all youth.
Their desire for a school
took form when property became available from a Watauga County lawyer, Capt.
Walter Lenoir. The ministers signed personal notes assuring that $10,000 would
be invested in buildings and equipment.
The school opened on
September 1, 1891. It carried the name Highland University, but four months later,
when it was chartered by the State of North Carolina, its name changed to Lenoir
University in memory of the donor of the land. The 149 students and eight teachers
met for classes the first year in a modest two-floor frame structure which had
housed a private academy on the same site. In the middle of the second year the
college moved into a new facility that housed the entire college under one roof
until it was destroyed by fire in 1927.
In 1895 the Evangelical
Lutheran Tennessee Synod, which included a large number of North Carolina
congregations, assumed official sponsorship and support of the institution and
through its successor bodies has maintained the relationship to the present day.
For almost three decades
Lenoir University served as a combination college, business school and academy
under the leadership of President R. A. Yoder (1891-1901) and President R. L.
Fritz (1901-20). By the time Dr. J. C. Perry 91920-25) became president, the
mushrooming of public schools in North Carolina had squeezed the academy
division out of the college structure, and the institution made another major
change in its liberal arts curriculum, branching into its present service
providing each student with a choice of varied major fields.
In 1923 the college
changed its name to Lenoir-Rhyne University in honor of Daniel E. Rhyne, a Lincoln
County industrialist who boosted the endowment and other assets of the
institution.
President H. Brent
Schaeffer’s administration (1926-34) was highlighted by the college upgrading
from state to regional accreditation: In 1928 it was admitted to membership in
the Southern Association of Universitys and Secondary Schools.
Dramatic growth in
student enrollment marked the closing years of the administration of Dr. P. E.
Monroe (1934-49). Boosted by the influx of returning veterans following World
War II, the Lenoir-Rhyne enrollment jumped from 407 in 1945 to 843 two years
later.
The trend toward rising
enrollment carried over into the administration of Dr. Voigt R. Cromer
(1949-67). Gradual enlargement of the student body continued until 1,300
students were enrolled. The faculty increased to 96 members, the endowment grew
to $1.8 million, and 13 major buildings were constructed.
During the administration
of Dr. Raymond M. Bost (1967-76), Lenoir-Rhyne initiated long-range plans to
enrich the quality of its curriculum. Major improvements in the academic
calendar and program were implemented, and joint-degree programs with other
institutions of higher education were increased. Student personnel services
expanded, the campus enlarged to 100 acres, and the endowment grew to $3.9
million.
Dr. Albert B. Anderson
served as the eight president from 1976-1982. His administration was marked by
a refinement of the role of the college as a church-related institution, the
restructuring of the academic calendar and core curriculum, and the addition of
new majors and evening degree program. Capital campaigns conducted by the
church, the local community and alumni resulted in significant construction and
renovation. In 1980 the college established a graduate program offering a
master’s degree in education. The Institute for Business Leadership was endowed
under Dr. Anderson’s leadership.
Lenoir-Rhyne graduate and
member of the University’s Board of Trustees, Albert Allran, guided the college as
interim president for approximately 19 months before the appointment of Dr. John
E. Trainer, Jr.
President Trainer’s
administration (1984-94) was noted for various regional and national
recognitions. The Council of Independent Universitys recognized Lenoir-Rhyne in
1986 as an exemplary academic work place; It was also recognized by “US News
& World Report” for three consecutive years and by “Money” magazine
in 1991.
Fair Star; A
Centennial History of Lenoir-Rhyne University
by Jeff L. Norris and Ellis G. Boatman details
the history of the college’s first 100 years.
In anticipation of its
100th anniversary in 1991, the college launched in 1989 the
Centennial Renewal Campaign. Under the leadership of Campaign General Chairman,
Harley F. Shuford, and with the support of some 3,000 volunteers, it surpassed
its $24 million goal, nearly two years ahead of schedule. The endowment now
stands at $28 million.
Dr. Ryan A. LaHurd became
Lenoir-Rhyne’s tenth president in July, 1994. Long-term planning is a byword of
his administration, as he assumes leadership of the institution amidst social,
technological, and educational changes. To date he has emphasized strengthening
ties with the church and community, while at the same time competing in
globalization and emerging technologies. His willingness to try nontraditional
things has earned him recognition in The Lutheran, American Association of
Universitys & Universities; Connections, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
“We must be able to hold on to what we are and not get caught up in forces
of change and lose the core of what we’re about,” he was quoted in Profile.
Dr. LaHurd left the University in June of 2002 to pursue philanthropic interests
with an international foundation.
Dr. Wayne B. Powell
assumed the role of Lenoir-Rhyne's eleventh president in December 2002. A highly
accomplished math scholar and administrator, Dr. Powell had served the college
for two years as Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to his appointment as
President. One of his first acts was to outline a new 5-year strategic plan that
calls for significant growth in enrollment and continued emphasis on
strengthening the liberal arts education Lenoir-Rhyne is known for.
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