Exploration and Creative Thinking at the Center of LRU Kids in College Programs

Middle school students enjoy exploring and learning over
he summer at the Lenoir-Rhyne Kids in College program.

Applications are now being accepted for Kids in College and Kids in College-Middle School, the Lenoir-Rhyne University summer enrichment programs for students completing kindergarten through eighth grade this spring. This year’s theme is Exploring Our Earth.

This program is designed for academically gifted or teacher-recommended students with high academic qualifications. The following criteria will be considered:

• Identified as academically gifted

• Achieved a Level 4 on the End of Grade test
• Maintained an “A” average in math or reading 
• Recommended by current teacher

Experienced and licensed teachers will be chosen to facilitate the program. The classes will be held in the Rhyne Building on campus. Lunch will be provided for camp participants. Parents will be responsible for dropping off and picking up their children.

The elementary school program will run June 27-July 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This program is designed for students completing kindergarten- fifth grade.

The middle school program will be August 1-5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This program is for students who have completed grades 6-8. The middle school camp will have an extended focus of Exploring Our Earth Through Economics where students will explore economics of this area and learn the value of economics on our future. RBC Foundation USA has provided a $2000 grant for this study of economics.

The cost of the program is $325 per week. Additional information and registration forms can be found on the LRU web site at http://edu.lr.edu/kidsincollege. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified students. Parents will be notified of acceptance as soon as the following requirements are received:

• A completed application with teacher recommendation.

• Signed insurance and liability form.
• $50 deposit (returnable only if space is unavailable).

The remainder of the program cost is due by May 1 for accepted students. Parents are required to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. May 26 in the Belk Centrum on campus.

Contact Professor Joan Huffman, program director, at 828-267-3442 or joan.huffman@lr.edu for additional information.

L-R Observatory to Reopen After 15 years!

On Friday, March 11, 2011, public observing will return to Lenoir-Rhyne after an absence of 15 years. Thanks to The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club, both Observatory and telescope are in excellent condition and able to be used for such a function.

On March 11, the Observatory (top floor of Minges Science Building) will open for inspection and public observing at 7:00p.m. Telescopes will also be placed in the field across from Mauney Music Building with members of the Astronomy Club on hand for instruction.

The entire refurbishing of the Observatory and telescope took about two years. This was accomplished under the leadership of Mr. Bob Hunt, a member of the Astronomy Club; Mr. Hunt was assisted by other members of the Astronomy Club, Dr. Richard Mazak, and students in Dr. Mazak’s astronomy classes.

The telescope is a 12.5 inch diameter Cassegrain telescope which can also function in the Newtonian mode. It was originally installed under the leadership of Dr. Charles Cooke, Professor of Physics. The telescope was completely disassembled, the mirrors re-silvered, the motors rebuilt and everything cleaned and reassembled.

Please join The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club, Dr. Mazak, students and others on March 11, 2011, 7:00 p.m. for the reopening of the Lenoir-Rhyne Observatory.

LRU Brass Ensemble to Perform This Weekend

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Brass Ensemble (UBE), along with the Unifour Brass Ensemble, will perform a concert on Sunday, March 13 at 4:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Morganton, NC.

The event is free of charge, but a love offering will be taken to help raise funds for L-R students who will be traveling to Europe this May.

The performance will feature several antiphonal works by Giovanni Gabrielli, Gioseppe Guami and Aurelio Bonelli. The music will also espouse sounds from Victor Ewald, Vaclav Nelhybel, Richard Wagner and more.

First organized in 1978 as a brass quartet, the UBE and its members have provided music for area orchestras, big bands, church services, dedications, weddings and receptions, theater productions, area club functions, and civic functions. The ensemble's repertoire ranges from the medieval to modern eras. In addition, several members have conducted music for theater productions, public and private school music, community brass ensembles, community jazz ensembles, and community bands. Several past members have gone on to become professional performers or to have teaching careers at universities and colleges across the nation. The Unifour Brass Ensemble Inc. is dedicated to providing the public, most notably our young people, with a basic appreciation for music through the wonderful sound of brass instruments.

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Brass Ensemble is frequently seen in area churches, in formal recitals, at campus functions, in department-sponsored hymn festivals, and with the L-R A Cappella Choir. The Brass Ensemble performs literature of all style periods and in a wide variety of genres.

For more information regarding this event, contact Timothy Phillips, Adjunct Professor of Trumpet and Theory at timothy.phillips@lr.edu.

Student Gets Hands-On Experience at WHKY

Junior Communications major Alyssa Carlson spoke on-air last week with WHKY, Hickory's local radio station, about Kappa Delta's Zumba-Thon, Lenoir-Rhyne's Rise Up campaign, and campus life as a whole.

This opportunity represents one of the many ways that Lenoir-Rhyne helps students gain real-world experience, and allows students to get a leg-up before graduation. Not only are the opportunities great learning tools, they are also used to add to student's resumes and portfolios for their job searches.

Natalie Tolbert Crowned Miss Lenoir-Rhyne University

Natalie Tolbert was crowned the first-ever Miss LRU last night after competing in a pageant hosted by the LRU Spirit Team. Natalie is a junior Human and Community Services major at L-R, and is involved on campus with the SugarBears Dance Team and Kappa Delta Sorority.

Other contestants included Rubyana Whitworth, Drinda Hensley, Tayah Cambell, Raven Winstead, Amber Willard, Allison Floyd, Nikki Rae Walker, Willie Rice, and Amber Miller. The contestants were judged based on their L-R spiritwear, talent, evening gown, and on-stage questions.

Entertainment was provided by Step N Out Dance Productions and Krista Whitener Academy of Dance.

Congratulations to Natalie Tolbert on her win as Miss Lenoir-Rhyne University. Natalie will represent LRU for a year, participating in events and representing and raising money for a philanthropy of her choice.

Senior Nursing Students Conducting Health Screening

The Lenoir Rhyne senior nursing students are once again conducting a health screening on March 9 & 10 from 6:30 am to 8:30 am in the McCrorie Center. Registration is due by March 4th.

The Registration form is available on the Faculty/Staff web or you can obtain a form by emailing or calling Sharon Miller at 328-7281. The price is $30 for a complete chemistry panel and blood count. The cost of this blood work at your physician’s office would be well over $160. It is a great baseline to follow from year to year. The group will also be doing BPs.

Nursing Students Recently Treated to Dessert Day by the Faculty of the School of Nursing

Students Model Professional Dress Attire

The Alex Lee Career and Personal Development Center hosted a Professional Dress Fashion Show Tuesday Feb. 22nd in the Bear’s Lair Atrium. Students modeled professional interview attire, business casual and “work to fun” looks as well as a look for graduate school interviews.

The show was emceed by Lori Bumgarner, image consultant and press coach for the music industry in Nashville. Audience members not only viewed “dress for success” outfits, but also learned networking and job searching tips. JC Penney donated the clothing and the L-R Radio Station (Matt Paynter and Daniel Bullins) provided technical assistance with the music.

A big thank you goes out to Erin Sweet from L-R’s marketing office for taking pictures. Student models were: Yanepsi Alvarado, Ty Dannenbring, Clifton Garmon, Bart Keeler, Kellie Medley, Olga Ortiz, Amanda Parmelee, Ashley Pearson and Bradley Tenny.

Upcoming Alex Lee Series Event Announced

On March 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. The Alex Lee Series will present the Lenoir Rhyne Leadership Forum on Energy. The event will be held in the Belk Centrum.

The event, sponsored by the The Reese Institute for the Conservation of Natural Resources and Presented by the Alex Lee Foundation, will focus on questions such as:

• How are changes in the energy field impacting business in North Carolina? 
• What are the choices? 
• How are energy choices influencing the climate? 
• What legislation do businesses need to keep track of? 
• How will it influence your operations?

Town Hall Session on the Institutional Value CARE

On Monday, February 28 at 9:20 am in the Belk Centrum, LR will host the third of its four-part “town hall” series exploring Lenoir-Rhyne’s statement of institutional values.

This session will focus on the value of “care" as defined and practiced as:
"We will care about others in our learning and working relationships. We will be responsible stewards of our resources. We will support each other and work together toward the common good."

Presenters for this session include: Ms. Kellie Medley (student); Dr. Michael McGee; Mr. Leonard Geddes; and Dr. Amy Wood (Moderator). Convocation credit is available for students.