
625 7th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601, USA


Lenoir-Rhyne University provides a comprehensive athletics program that competes primarily in NCAA Division II. The university supports a variety of sports for both men and women, emphasizing a balance between academic achievement and athletic participation. Student-athletes have the opportunity to engage in competitive environments while benefiting from the university's commitment to developing leadership and teamwork skills.
The athletics program includes traditional sports such as football, basketball, baseball, and soccer, along with other offerings like tennis, golf, and cross country. Women's sports cover basketball, volleyball, softball, and track and field, among others. Facilities on campus are designed to support training and competition, contributing to an encouraging atmosphere for athletes pursuing collegiate sports.
Overall, Lenoir-Rhyne's athletic department aims to foster a strong community spirit and promote physical wellness, catering to students who seek to continue their athletic involvement in college while pursuing their academic goals.
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a range of student groups and associations that cater to diverse interests and backgrounds. Among these are InterVarsity, the Campus Activities Board (CAB), the Black Student Alliance, various Greek Organizations, and SEEDS of LRU. These groups provide opportunities for social engagement, leadership development, and cultural connection.
Regarding social involvement, approximately 3.1% of the student body participates in Greek organizations, with 9 men and 13 women involved out of a total male enrollment of 597 and female enrollment of 713. This indicates a modest but active presence of Greek life on campus, contributing to the university's community dynamics.
Lenoir-Rhyne University enrolls a moderately sized group of new students each year, with an average of 377 freshmen and 92 transfer students, totaling 469 newcomers. This intake places the institution in the lower third nationally for enrollment size among comparable colleges. Students at the university span a wide range of ages, reflecting a diverse mix beyond the traditional college-aged population.
Undergraduate students primarily cluster around the 18 to 21 age range, with 299 aged 18-19 and 605 aged 20-21. However, there is notable representation across older groups as well, including 451 students aged 22-24 and smaller but significant numbers in age brackets extending up to 65 and older. Graduate students tend to be older, with the majority falling between 22 and 49 years old, highlighting the university's appeal to non-traditional and continuing education students.
The racial and ethnic composition of Lenoir-Rhyne University is relatively balanced, though all groups rank in the bottom 50% nationally for representation levels. White students constitute the largest group, numbering 815, followed by African American students at 186 and Hispanic students at 118. Smaller populations include Asian students (29), Native American students (8), and Pacific Islanders (1), along with 69 students identifying as multiracial and 29 whose race or ethnicity is unknown.
These figures suggest that prospective students considering Lenoir-Rhyne University will encounter a moderately sized community with a broad age range and diverse, though not highly concentrated, ethnic backgrounds.
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers an engaging campus environment with a variety of extracurricular activities and student organizations. Those interested in the arts can participate in theater productions, join the campus band or chorus, and contribute to the campus newspaper. Students also have access to a campus radio station, adding another dimension to campus involvement.
Health and wellness services include on-campus health clinic facilities and psychological counseling support, catering to student well-being. The university provides resources specifically for veterans through a dedicated Veterans Affairs office, though there is no women's center on campus.
The university maintains a student-faculty ratio of 15 to 1, which supports a learning environment where students can receive attentive academic guidance. The campus size and community provide ample opportunity for students to engage both academically and socially while benefiting from a balanced educational experience.
Lenoir-Rhyne University features a single main library, the Carl Rudisill Library, serving as the central resource for students. Overall, the university has one library, placing it in the lower 40th percentile compared to peer institutions in terms of number of libraries available.
In terms of collection size, the Carl Rudisill Library holds approximately 121,005 physical books, which is also on the smaller side, ranking below 40% of similar institutions. Subscription access includes 49 periodical subscriptions and 28,271 digital subscriptions, both within the bottom 40 to 45 percentile ranges.
The digital collection is notable for providing 537,443 ebooks, though this figure still ranks under the midpoint compared to other universities' offerings. Additionally, the library subscribes to 135 databases, positioning it near the median in terms of database availability.
Students benefit from physical facilities and digital access that are staffed by trained personnel during established hours. Although the library does not provide all-day access or designated study rooms, it supports research through access to shared collections beyond the immediate holdings of the Carl Rudisill Library.
Total enrollment
2302Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
376Member of Athletic Associations
Data not availableTotal staff
333 full time, 134 part timeVeterans affair office
YesMain library name
Carl Rudisill LibraryNumber of libraries on campus
1Reservable study rooms in library
No24h access
NoPhysical facilities
YesAccess to digital/electronic resources
YesStaff trained to provide and interpret library materials
YesEstablished library hours
YesAccess to library collections that are shared with other institutions
Yes