Centers & Institutes


Centers and institutes provide a venue and opportunities for students, faculty and the wider LR community to come together and collaborate across disciplines to discover and disseminate knowledge.

Our centers and institutes advance university research, facilitate civic engagement and provide support and resources to the greater university community.

Alex Lee Career & Professional Development Center


Two talking at table in career development center

The center offers student and alumni support with career exploration, career planning, job and internship search assistance. Whether you need help crafting or reviewing your resume, staging a mock interview, networking or preparing for graduate school, the career center offers lifelong support to all LR students and alumni from our Hickory, Asheville and Columbia campuses.

The center also offers many services to help recruiters identify the right candidates for position openings.

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Center for Teaching & Learning


Professor talks to students from front of classroom

The center supports the university’s faculty as they engage in the work of educating students and helping them to develop as whole persons prepared both for productive careers and meaningful lives.

The center promotes the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, providing support that enables faculty to be innovative and creative in ways that enhance student learning.

Center for Teaching & Learning

Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation & Purpose


Student talks with invited speaker during group gathering

The center engages students, faculty and staff in the ongoing discernment of vocation and purpose. The center provides online resources, discussions and hosts the Lives Worth Living speaker series whose speakers include theologians, bishops, artists and advocates for justice.

The center works to help students, faculty and staff identify their talents and passions so they can be used to make the world a better place.

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Institute for Faith & Learning


Students reading from booklet during church service

The Institute for Faith and Learning endeavors to provide programming that contributes to and enriches a culture of intellect that is theologically based. Our programs are directed at Christians of all traditions.

The institute offers a speaker series featuring prominent religious figures and authors who share their work and beliefs.

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Reese Institute for Conservation of Natural Resources


Professor talks to two students while overlooking City of Asheville skyline

The Reese Institute for the Conservation of Natural Resources provides students with an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a curriculum that supports the adage "think globally, act locally."

Through service learning, scholarship, fieldwork experience, travel opportunities and internships, you have the chance to positively impact your immediate community, while setting their sights on the larger conservation issues of the nation and beyond.

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Shuford Center for International Education


Student studying abroad in Cuba looks at building in distance

There are many co-curricular activities that enrich the Lenoir-Rhyne education. By participating in study abroad or interacting with international students on our campus, you will expand your knowledge and engage other cultures in ways that broaden your perspective.

Our William and Robert Shuford Center for International Education initiates and supports events and programs that contribute to a global education.

Not only do we provide support to our international students, but also facilitate the study abroad process.

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Solmaz Institute


Exterior of McCrorie Center building at dusk

The Solmaz Institute works to address child and adolescent obesity in the region. The institute offers clinic services, outreach programs and interdisciplinary internship opportunities for students in the College of Health Sciences on LR's Hickory campus.

The clinic is staffed by registered dietitians who oversee individual and group services as well the Lenoir-Rhyne interns in various programs (exercise science, nursing, occupational therapy and the dietetic internship program) who provide services to youth.

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News & Events

Visiting Writers Series Invited Authors Mary Roach, Andrew Aydin and Lucky Diaz

The Visiting Writers Series will host New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Roach and Andrew Aydin. The Little Read will welcome six-time Emmy-nominated musician, children’s television personality and author Lucky Diaz.

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People attend chapel service at LTSS

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary will host a special decommissioning service on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. to commemorate the move of the seminary from Columbia, South Carolina, to Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Hickory campus.

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