Student Life
May 23, 2018
On May 4, 2018, Lees-McRae became the first "small school" to take the crown in Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine's annual Top Adventure College competition.
March 02, 2018
Fresh off its first postseason victory in program history, the Lees-McRae College men's basketball team will check another first off the list this weekend as it will host the Conference Carolinas men's basketball semifinals and finals at Williams Gymnasium.
February 02, 2018
Dee Thomas, Lees-McRae College Adjunct Professor and Director of Catalyst Sports' Boone chapter, highlighted for her leadership in nature conservation and adventure.
February 01, 2018
Elite cyclists Kerry Werner ’13 and Eric Thompson ’11 reflect on their time racing for Lees-McRae and how racing in North Carolina's High Country shaped them into the successful athletes they are today.
December 15, 2017
Over 1,000 pounds of food in the form of cans, dry-goods and other non-perishable items were donated to local food bank, Feeding Avery Families, by the help of Lees-McRae students, faculty and staff.
November 29, 2017
Following a successful petition, Lees-McRae College is now the newest charter for The National Leadership Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, offering the campus community more ways than ever to become a successful leader.
November 20, 2017
With help from a $3,000 grant, the Lees-McRae Outdoor Recreation Management program, in conjunction with the organic garden club, has begun a brand new, three-part, campus-wide green initiative.
November 14, 2017
The Lees-McRae cheerleading team will host a fall cheerleading clinic on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Student Recreation Complex from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
November 10, 2017
Lees-McRae College will host childhood survivor of the Holocaust, Louise Lawrence-Israëls, to speak about her experience and life story on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.
November 01, 2017
Have you ever thought about hiking the Appalachian Trail? Byron Browne, a photographer and teacher based in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the few who has successfully completed a “thru-hike” of the AT.
October 27, 2017
Lees-McRae College will host a showing of the 12th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, November 3 in Evans Auditorium inside the Cannon Student Center.
October 25, 2017
With 1,153 activities logged, Lees-McRae College students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members hiked, biked and explored their way to second place in the division I Southeast region and 21st place overall in the Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.
October 24, 2017
If you are looking for a safe way to spend Halloween, sheltered from ghosts and goblins, come to Lees-McRae College for a poetry reading by professor Melissa Mercer.
October 18, 2017
Lees-McRae College Provost and Dean of Faculty, Dr. Todd Lidh, gives his input on the top 10 mistakes commonly made by college freshmen and how to avoid them.
October 10, 2017
It’s no secret that the process of exiting high school and entering the world of college is equal parts scary and liberating. This is a new beginning, and perhaps in a vastly different location than at home with your family.
October 09, 2017
Since its start on Sept. 18, Lees-McRae College students, faculty, staff and alumni have logged more than 900 total adventures for the chance at prizes and the ultimate title of “National Outdoor Champion.”
October 06, 2017
In a day to celebrate the great outdoors, students, faculty and staff took to the trails during the annual Mountain Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4.
September 26, 2017
As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecture series at Lees-McRae College, Dr. Sean Collins and Dr. Michael Joslin will present a program titled Foraging in the Mountains.
September 22, 2017
Beginning on Monday, Sept. 25, campus will buzz with spirit, excitement and activities brought to you in a way that only Spirit Week and Homecoming can.
September 21, 2017
How well can you spell? For the children competing in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, six will enter, but only one speller will leave with the title of C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N.
September 19, 2017
On Thursday, Sept. 21, Asheville-based artist, Carley Dergins, will have her drawings displayed during the season-opener exhibition titled Recording Impermanence in the Cannon Student Center King-Shivell Gallery on the campus of Lees-McRae College.
September 19, 2017
Ally Murphy no longer has that constant sense of urgency she once had. It wasn’t because she gave up one day, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.
September 15, 2017
Get ready, because starting Monday, Sept. 18, Lees-McRae College Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge participants can begin logging their activities in the Campus Challenge app.
September 15, 2017
Much like the exciting yet classic movie, The Wizard of Oz, this years’ Homecoming theme, “There’s No Place Like Homecoming”, will bring together both classic tradition along with new excitement starting on Friday, Sept. 29 until Sunday Oct. 1.
September 12, 2017
In an increase from last year’s No. 23 spot, Lees-McRae College landed at No. 19 as best regional college in the South in addition to a spot on the “Best Value School” list in the newest evaluation released by U.S. News & World Report.
September 06, 2017
Ally Murphy ’10, founder of Ally’s Bar and Lees-McRae Athletics hall of fame inductee, will be this year’s Convocation speaker, giving a speech titled “Dream Big”, during the annual college-wide event on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 4:00 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.
September 01, 2017
Hiking, kayaking, backpacking, bicycling and even bird-watching–just a few of the activities Lees-McRae students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local community will be participating in from Sept. 18 through Oct. 15 as they compete to win the fourth annual Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.
August 31, 2017
With beautiful summer weather here and more to come with the arrival of autumn, discover places to explore in the area’s mountains during the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s presentation, So You Say You Have Nothing To Do?: Plunging Waterfalls, Invigorating Hikes, Entertaining Beasts and Entrancing Sights.
August 31, 2017
Williams Gymnasium on the campus of Lees-McRae kicked off its next big chapter during the Celebration and Preview event on Monday, August 28.
August 29, 2017
During the President’s Circle Summer Soirée event on August 21, Lees-McRae President Barry M. Buxton publicly announced The University Campaign for Lees-McRae.
August 23, 2017
In a special section of The Charlotte Observer centered life after high school, Carolina College Bound highlighted some of the key unique factors in a Lees-McRae education.
August 16, 2017
On Monday, August 21, Lees-McRae will hold a solar eclipse viewing party open to all students, faculty, staff and the local community on the front lawn of Tate Residence Hall.
August 14, 2017
Lees-McRae Performing Arts will open its stage for fall production auditions on Wednesday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.
August 09, 2017
Hello first time college students! The most exciting day of your academic career is almost here—the day you get to purchase necessities for your dorm room. For most students, this is the first time you will establish a “home away from home” and you need to make sure you will be comfortable all year long.
August 07, 2017
We are Bobcats–Lees-McRae is our foundation, our home and where we are inspired to succeed–it is in all of us, and it is who we are.
July 31, 2017
Lees-McRae President Barry M. Buxton announced that he will retire in May 2018 and that a search for his replacement has begun. Buxton has served as the president of Lees-McRae since June 1, 2010 and is the 15th president in the 116-year-history of the institution.
July 18, 2017
Power was spotty at best during the weeklong trip to Haiti. Trip leader and assistant dean of nursing and health sciences at Lees-McRae College, Dr. Teresa Darnall said that even though it wasn’t favorable to lose power in the 80-degree Haitian heat, “we came prepared for this…because this is Haiti.”
July 14, 2017
Defined for its “upward trajectory,” Lees-McRae College was named a College of Distinction within the prestigious North Carolina cohort.
June 26, 2017
You could say that Phil Hoffmann, the new director of campus recreation and outdoor programs, is passionate about the outdoors and recreation, but of course, that would not tell the whole story.
June 23, 2017
The summer break after high school graduation means that incoming college freshmen are attending what some have called “is this real life” land that is known as college orientation. While half are completely pumped about the freedom that the impending event brings, the other half are freaking out.
June 21, 2017
Warm sunshine. Cool breezes. Fresh, mountain air. Ah, summer in the mountains! We love all of our seasons, but there’s just something magical about summer in Banner Elk.
June 09, 2017
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre will kick off the 2017 season with the debut of Screen Test on June 17 as part of the theater for young audiences.
June 07, 2017
The Lees-McRae College Department of Athletics announced Friday that it will add men's and women's swimming and diving programs for the 2018-19 academic year.
June 06, 2017
If you are looking to gain insight into Appalachian culture, seeking to enrich your summer experience, or simply looking for traditional entertainment, reserve three Wednesdays in June to participate in the John B. Stephenson Lecture Series at Lees-McRae College.
June 05, 2017
Curious children and adults alike can now visit the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center on the campus of Lees-McRae College Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. for its free summer wildlife presentation series.
June 01, 2017
Learn about drama, dance, music, technical theater, writing and other art forms at the Creative and Performing Arts Camp on the campus of Lees-McRae College this summer.
May 26, 2017
Registration is now open for two Lees-McRae College science-focused camps, the Wildlife Science Summer Program and the Advanced Wildlife Science Summer Program.
May 10, 2017
Dressed from head-to-toe in black satin regalia and anxiously awaiting with excitement, 334 students simmer in their seats, anticipating their designated time to approach the stage and receive their degree.
May 03, 2017
For many seniors, the end of a college career marks the start of a new chapter in life. Whether it is students from the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences, to the School of Arts, Humanities and Education, each corner of Lees-McRae has produced shining examples of what a degree from this college can do for you.
May 02, 2017
As part of the larger, nation-wide effort, Lees-McRae College joined as a supporting member of Sexual Assault Awareness Month through various events and discussions across campus.
April 26, 2017
The six outdoor legend panelists that sat before the tables of students, faculty and staff the evening of Thursday, April 20 could not have possessed more different personalities, but what did tie them together was their passion for the outdoors.
April 21, 2017
Though sharing his heart wrenching story was not favorable, 90-year-old Dr. Walter Ziffer said it is all too important, “in order to never repeat history ever again.”
April 11, 2017
Holocaust survivor Dr. Walter Ziffer will present first-hand accounts of his experiences at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 in Evans Auditorium.
April 07, 2017
The college’s motto, “In the Mountains, Of the Mountains, For the Mountains,” is more than a way of thinking– it’s a way of action.
March 29, 2017
U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., will be on campus Friday, March 31, to discuss leadership, her career path, the life of a congressperson and her childhood spent in Avery County.
March 27, 2017
Sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia, Lees-McRae will kick-off the start of spring and highlight the unique aspects of mountain living during its seventh annual Appalachian Heritage Week.
March 27, 2017
Lees-McRae will now go head-to-head against Tennessee-based school, Maryville College, after defeating Brevard College by nearly 900 votes in the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s Top Adventure College competition.
March 20, 2017
After winning the first bracket of the Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine Top Adventure College contest against Georgia-based Berry College by almost 1,000 votes, Lees-McRae is now in the second round against North Carolina-based Brevard College.
March 10, 2017
Warren Doyle, the record holder for the most complete traverses of the Appalachian Trail, will present a program on his Trail experiences at Lees-McRae College on Thursday, March 16 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium as a Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecturer.
March 08, 2017
2017 marks Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s fifth “Top Adventure College” tournament and Lees-McRae is in the running.
March 03, 2017
When it comes to small, hidden gems, Lees-McRae knows a thing or two, but what do you do over spring break if you’re not leaving the high country? Here is our list of five things you can do over the vacation to get the most out of your fun, relaxing spring break.
February 20, 2017
Climbing the seven highest summits in the world is not a task for the weak at heart. Patrick Hickey is one of only 120 people in the world to accomplish “the holy grail of mountaineering”, and the only nurse in history to finish.
February 15, 2017
Witty verbal exchanges, disguises, dysfunctional families, many lovers trying to find the perfect mates, and four marriages to end it all. Sounds like a lot to fit into one play, but William Shakespeare did just that in his pastoral comedy As You Like It, which is the spring production of the Lees-McRae College Performing Arts program.
February 13, 2017
Rachel Held Evans is weird, but it is not exactly what you would think–she wants to keep Christianity weird. New York Times best-selling author and popular faith blogger, Rachel Held Evans will visit campus to present her talk titled, “Keep Christianity Weird.”
February 10, 2017
Camping out of their Subaru, Steph Whatton and Andy Mossey—two Subaru/Leave No Trace traveling trainers—will visit campus on February 15 to educate the community on responsible and minimum-impact outdoor recreation.
February 03, 2017
Of the 25 schools featured in the ‘Most Pet-Friendly Colleges Report’, Lees-McRae landed in the fifth spot. The ranking, completed by LendEDU, a New Jersey-based student loan marketplace and reviewer, reported that the college offers, “some of the best pet guidelines and living situation for animal lovers across the country.”
February 01, 2017
Miles of single track, dual slalom and downhill courses only minutes from campus were just a few of the reasons why Lees-McRae received a top spot on Singletracks.com’s list of best colleges for mountain bikers.
January 30, 2017
Adaptive Ski Week participants are used to pushing against the odds, even if that means skiing in warmer-than-usual North Carolina winter temperatures.
January 27, 2017
Grammy nominee Ted Olson will come to Lees-McRae on Wednesday, February 1, to present a program on his latest award-winning album, On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music.
January 25, 2017
Nine-hundred miles off the East Coast of Australia and 600 miles south of Fiji, are the islands that comprise the fascinating country of New Zealand. Known largely for its biodiversity, it makes sense as to why students from the wildlife rehabilitation program made the 8,500-mile journey for the third year.
January 17, 2017
Other than the sounds of the wind and pelting snow, the haunting howls of red wolves that many years ago brought a different kind of chill to folks huddled in their cabins have disappeared from our area, although a population still exists in the Eastern part of North Carolina.
January 13, 2017
Dean and Instructor of Business and Management Amy Anderson provided some money saving tips on Daytime Tri-Cities finance segment “Money Matters”, on January 10. The live broadcast provided Anderson the opportunity to share money saving tips and some of her own personal tricks.
January 06, 2017
If you thought something looked different in the Williams Gymnasium, you would be right. Since mid-December, crews have worked to install the gym’s new bleachers on both sides of the court.
December 16, 2016
Over the last several weeks, students, faculty and staff have collected approximately 1,025 items and $200 in money donations as part of the annual food drive held on campus. Boxes of cans, soups and other miscellaneous dry goods were taken to the Feeding Avery Families location in Newland, North Carolina, on December 13.
December 16, 2016
Earlier this fall during the Woolly Worm Festival, a popular, ever-growing downtown Banner Elk festival dedicated to the larvae of the tiger moth and its abilities to predict the severity of the coming winter, students from the Business Statistics course (BUS 265) collected exactly 305 surveys.
November 29, 2016
Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Lees-McRae with a Silver Bicycle Friendly University (BFUSM) award, joining more than 150 visionary colleges and universities from across the country.
November 14, 2016
On Saturday, November 5, 13 honors students traveled to the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, North Carolina.
November 11, 2016
If you are interested in learning about the complexities of Reconstruction in Southern Appalachia, come to the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s lecture on November 16, at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the Lees-McRae College campus. Dr. Steven Nash will present a program based on his recently released book Reconstruction’s Ragged Edge: The Politics of Postwar Life in the Southern Mountains.
November 10, 2016
Meet Eurydice (pronounced: Ear-reh-da-see): daughter of the Greek god Apollo and wife of Orpheus, and you could say she is in-between a rock and a hard place.
November 07, 2016
BackgroundChecks.org released its annual "Safest Colleges in North Carolina" report for 2016 in early October—landing Lees-McRae 27 on the list.
October 26, 2016
Starting in the fall 2017 semester, five incoming Lees-McRae students will be chosen to receive a $500 scholarship for their participation in eSports. An abbreviation for “electronic sports”, the genre includes any and all games played mostly on a computer, but for the incoming freshman class, the scholarships will be for League of Legends or Hearthstone.
October 21, 2016
Currently serving as senior policies advisor for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Monica Young received her undergraduate degree in history from Lees-McRae in 2012 and subsequently graduated from Marquette University's School of Law in 2015.
October 18, 2016
Are you looking for spooky fun to celebrate Halloween? Come to Lees-McRae College on October 27, at 7 p.m. to hear an original play, The Devil’s Stairs, written by Boone novelist Joshua Simcox. A graduate of the college’s creative writing program, he will direct a radio broadcast reading of his play with Lees-McRae students in Evans Auditorium.
October 14, 2016
Members of the campus community joined President Buxton Thursday, October 13 for a community bike ride. The ride was part of an effort to promote both Lees-McRae and the Town of Banner Elk as a “Bicycle Friendly Community”—a label presented by The League of American Bicyclists.
October 10, 2016
The campus of Lees-McRae is both a mixture of the new and old. Boulders stacked atop of one another like mosaic tiles in a church window are juxtaposed by sleek white floors and trendy furniture.
October 07, 2016
Ireland is coming to Lees-McRae! The Belfast Boys, traditional Irish music duo, will visit campus on Thursday, October 13. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, poet and musician Adrian Rice and classically-trained musician Alyn Mearns will appear at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center.
October 06, 2016
Students, faculty and staff will gather Friday afternoon to celebrate the completion of the Dotti M. Shelton Learning Commons. The Learning Commons— formerly James H. Carson Library—received about $2.5 million for renovations and began work in May 2016.
September 22, 2016
Just as the hands on the clock approached the tenth hour Wednesday, an email spread throughout campus. It read: “Today is Mountain Day.” Almost instantaneously, students, faculty and staff tied on their sneakers, locked their doors and headed towards Tufts Bell Tower.
September 19, 2016
They’re ooky and they’re spooky—and they’ll be appearing in the Lees-McRae College Performing Arts fall musical. The Addams Family will make its debut from Thursday, Sept. 29 until Sunday, Oct. 2.
September 13, 2016
Lees-McRae College was named the No. 23 best regional college in the South, in a new evaluation released by U.S. News & World Report. Defined by the news site, regional colleges focus on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts and professional fields such as nursing, education and business.
September 08, 2016
Lees-McRae College will host a showing of the 11th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, September 16 on historic Tate Lawn. An opening reception complete with information booths and vendors will start at 7 p.m. with the film to begin at 8 p.m.
August 12, 2016
Lees-McRae College will hold its Convocation ceremony on Thursday, August 18 at 4 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium. Convocation is an important part of the academic tradition at Lees-McRae. Literally a 'coming together' of the College community, Convocation celebrates the beginning of the academic year and welcomes new and returning students to campus. Lees-McRae alumnus Hakim Bellamy ’02 will give the keynote address, “4000 Feet Above Average.” Bellamy will also be a poet in residence on campus August 17-18.
August 01, 2016
A Lees-McRae graduate will be among the elite athletes at the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio on Friday, August 5. Cyclist Brent Bookwalter will ride for Team USA with the U.S. men’s road team. “This has been a firm and ambitious goal of mine for the past couple of years,” says Bookwalter, who will compete in two events: the Road Race and the Time Trial.
August 01, 2016
As the 2016-2017 academic year quickly approaches, Lees-McRae Provost Dr. Todd Lidh spoke with WLTX of Columbia, SC about the college freshman experience. His advice included to make connections with peers, prepare for the semester using class syllabi, be financially smart, take a walk around campus and finally, stay in touch with family.
June 10, 2016
Lees-McRae College was represented by Vice President of Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail at the 2016 NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, Ind. last weekend. McPhail served as a panelist at the Forum, which consisted of over 200 current student-athletes and NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients with an interest in working within the sports industry.
June 01, 2016
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre is excited to announce the 2016 Summer Theatre schedule. The 31st season, which includes Mary Poppins, Always… Patsy Cline and The Pajama Game, is packed with family-friendly comedy, laughs and good memories.
May 10, 2016
Lees-McRae College awarded 251 degrees, the largest number in College history, during commencement exercises Saturday, May 7. Among the graduates, 23 graduated with honors, 58 graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA), 63 graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) and 33 graduated cum laude (3.50-3.69 GPA).
April 20, 2016
Lees-McRae College is proud to announce that Dianne L. May has been chosen to receive an honorary Doctor of Humanities at this year’s commencement ceremony on May 7, 2016.
April 19, 2016
On Wednesday, April 13, Lees-McRae celebrated the 12th annual Mountain Day of Service. This annual day of service resulted in an incredible 1,029 hours of service completed by 343 students, faculty, staff and volunteers. Altogether the campus community participated in 22 projects, two off campus and 20 on campus. After all the hard work was complete, participants gathered on Tate Lawn to enjoy a cookout, fellowship with one another and the beautiful spring weather.
April 06, 2016
Join Lees-McRae College in celebrating spring’s return to the mountains. During the 6th annual Appalachian Heritage Week, April 7-15, the College will highlight beloved American novelist Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who spent a creative autumn in one of the College’s cottages. Other unique aspects of mountain heritage will enlighten and entertain students and community members. Lees-McRae invites everyone to participate in the activities sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia.
March 30, 2016
The Lees-McRae College performing arts program is excited to announce the renovation of the program’s dance studio. The renovations were completed in March and made possible by generous donors Dana and Vicki McKittrick and support from Lees-McRae Summer Theatre.
March 14, 2016
Continuing its exploration of Appalachian history and culture, the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College will host Dr. Billy Carver on Thursday, March 17. His lecture, titled “Mountain Air: Tuberculosis in Appalachia,” will cover the fascinating facts behind the mountains’ place in medical history. The program will begin at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center and is free and open to the public.
March 10, 2016
Lees-McRae senior Austin Anderson was named Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Saturday morning, the league office announced.
March 04, 2016
Ivanna Knox, a freshman at Lees-McRae College, received a $2,425 UPS Scholarship provided through North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU) for the current academic year.
March 02, 2016
Lees-McRae College will host a selection of artwork by Michael Polomik beginning February 28, with the opening reception and artist talk scheduled for March 28 from 5-6 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.
February 22, 2016
The May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was recently featured on WDBJ7 out of Roanoke, Virginia. Director Nina Fischesser spoke about the types of animals the Center takes in and the wildlife rehabilitation program.
February 19, 2016
Join us on Thursday, February 25 as we celebrate Black History Month with Dr. Kristen Baldwin Deathridge’s lecture “Public History and the History of an African-American Appalachian Community.” The program, part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, will begin at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.
February 05, 2016
He’s been hailed as one of the most significant figures in modern musical theatre, and Lees-McRae College’s Performing Arts program will present some of Stephen Sondheim’s best music in Sondheim on Sondheim February 25‒28 at Hayes Auditorium.
February 05, 2016
Director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Nina Fischesser attended and presented two lectures at the Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina Symposium (WRNC) in Raleigh, NC January 30-31. Her lectures were titled Working with Veterinarians in Wildlife Rehabilitation, which focused on helping new rehabilitators build relationships with veterinarians in their communities, and Wildlife Rehabilitation in Higher Education, which covered the educational aspect of working with wildlife.
February 04, 2016
Students in the first cohort of the Lees-McRae Emergency Medical Services and Management Program (EMSM) have reason to celebrate this spring. The program has received a Letter of Review from the leading specialized accreditation agency focusing on Emergency Medical Services education, which means that these students will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians credentialing exam upon graduation.
February 03, 2016
Best Master of Science in Nursing has ranked the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences as one of the top up and coming nursing schools in the south. The schools were ranked based on innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge technological resources, facilities and student organizations.
January 29, 2016
Professional cyclo-cross racer Ally Stacher knows what it takes to fuel a body for the pounding, punishing, calorie-sucking energy needed to ride at the highest levels in the sport.
January 26, 2016
On Jan. 11, Lees-McRae’s Avery Wallis, making his second career collegiate start, scored a career-high 13 points in a home win against Piedmont International.
January 25, 2016
145 Lees-McRae student-athletes were named to the Conference Carolinas Fall 2015 Presidential Honor Roll, the league office announced. Each semester recognition is given to student-athletes who achieve a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4-point scale. All student-athletes, including underclassmen, transfers, and those who play non-conference sponsored sports, are eligible for the recognition as long as they participated during the semester in question.
January 21, 2016
Due to Winter Storm Jonas, the Lees-McRae athletic schedules has been altered, announced Director of Athletics and Club Sports Craig McPhail Thursday morning.
January 19, 2016
Lees-McRae College student Melissa Hooper shares a campus house with five other women, along with two dogs and a gecko. Even as universities relax many housing rules — gender-neutral dorms are mainstream — animals remain largely a no-go. N.C. State University (above) only allows fish and registered service animals. UNC Chapel Hill allows service and support animals.
January 14, 2016
The USCSA event hosted an event this past weekend at Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, N.C.
January 14, 2016
If the novelty of winter has ebbed, come warm up with poet Adrian Rice’s reading at Lees-McRae College on Thursday, January 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. Rice will present his poems in Evans Auditorium of the Cannon Student Center as the first of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia’s 2016 Lecture Series.
January 06, 2016
Dr. Barry Buxton, president of Lees-McRae, offered advice to high school students on selecting a college that is the best fit for them. He brought along his dog, Ah Shux, to discuss our pet-friendly campus!
December 18, 2015
Lees-McRae senior James Abraham was named to the 2015 Division I and Division II Men's Scholar All-South Region Team, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday evening.
December 16, 2015
Erica Atkinson, a Wildlife Biology major from Matthews, North Carolina, will receive a scholarship for $3,500 during the 2016-2017 academic year. The Duke Energy Foundation awards numerous scholarships annually through the Independent College Fund of NC, a division of Independent Colleges and Universities of North Carolina, to students studying science or math.
December 11, 2015
Students of Lees-McRae recently met with representatives JoAnn Hedstrom, volunteer specialist, and Brian Womack, disaster program manager of the American Red Cross, with the intent of organizing a local Red Cross Club. They will join a number of college clubs that have been established throughout the country.
December 01, 2015
Dr. Skeate, professor of wildlife biology and coordinator of the Wildlife Biology Program at Lees-McRae College, has received the Whalen Master Teacher Grant to fund student research projects for the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE). As a scholar involved in tropical research for many years, he understands the challenges and is working to improve the student experience.
November 23, 2015
On November 16, Lees-McRae's Judicial Process class experienced a common criminal trial first hand. Instructor Howard Donovan, who is also a defense attorney, Avery County Assistant District Attorney Penn Dameron and local attorney Wiliam B. Cocke, Jr. lead the class through the exercise. During the trial, students acted as witnesses, defendants, jurors, and other key members of the case.The purpose of the trial was to encourage students to put their knowledge of legal information, trial procedures and evidentiary and constitutional concepts into practice.
November 19, 2015
Support the Lees-McRae Communication Arts & Design seniors as they share their works with the community. The show is open to the public November 16 - December 3.
November 19, 2015
Lees-McRae College’s Department of Performing Arts continues the Fall 2015 performance series with Terra Nova. The drama, written by playwright Ted Tally, is the story of Englishman Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated Antarctic expedition in 1912 as his five-man team endeavors to be the first to reach the South Pole. This journey is filled with intense moments of hope to be the first to discover this foreign place, but also of fear, determination, isolation and tragedy.
November 18, 2015
Nina Fischesser, director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, will be releasing a bald eagle at Lake James this Friday. She rescued the eagle from the lake in September and transferred the bird to the Carolina Raptor Center for treatment. The eagle has recovered and was approved for release on November 10.
November 11, 2015
Professor Silver discusses the Lees-McRae Cycling Studies program and how students can apply what they learn after graduation and talks through winter biking safety tips for new cyclists.
November 10, 2015
Students at Lees-McRae College will now have the opportunity to earn a licensure in Special Education, General Curriculum (K-12) and graduate with a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. The accredited Special Education program is the most recent addition to the Lees-McRae Division of Education, which offers licensures in both Theatre Arts Education and Elementary Education (K-6).
November 04, 2015
Leading into the holiday season, Lees-McRae is holding two events to help area families. The Nursing and Health Sciences CLA-199 students are collecting winter gear for Hospitality House and the Avery County YMCA, and the Staff Association is sponsoring a canned food drive for Feeding Avery Families.
October 23, 2015
The Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College will host an evening with two distinguished Appalachian poets. Dr. Don Johnson and Dr. Jesse Graves will read selections from their poetry on November 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the Lees-McRae campus.
October 09, 2015
Boone novelist Joshua Simcox will present a program at Lees-McRae College on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia lecture series, Simcox will read from his novel Zapheads: Scars and Ashes and will discuss the publication process.
October 07, 2015
I have many fantastic memories from my time at Lees-McRae, but the ones that really stick with me are the many hours spent sitting in Dr. Stewart Skeate’s office talking about birds, flowers, ecological systems, and graduate school. He was such a great mentor and I really don’t think I would be working as an educator today if it wasn’t for this relationship. For the past 14 years I have had the honor of mentoring hundreds of students at Appalachian State University. I often think about the positive influence a mentor can make because of my experience at Lees-McRae.
October 05, 2015
Bobcat Cycling Coach Tim Hall covers safety tips, proper technique, bike maintenance and more on Charlotte Today.
October 05, 2015
Lees-McRae College has implemented a tuition guarantee program for students beginning in fall 2016. As a testament to the College’s commitment to affordability, all students entering the 2016-17 academic year will be guaranteed the same rate of tuition for remaining academic years based on their classification as of fall 2016.
September 28, 2015
Lees-McRae’s King-Shivell Gallery is thrilled to host a selection of artwork by Scott Lowrey titled “Aspects of Nature”. The exhibit will be on display from October 1-31, with the opening reception scheduled October 8 from 5 – 6 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
September 25, 2015
Nina Fischesser, director of the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, spoke with WCNC's Charlotte Today. Students Shannon Granger and Dustin Longstreet assisted with the demonstration.
September 22, 2015
Lees-McRae College’s Department of Performing Arts kicks off the Fall 2015 performance series with Plain and Fancy, showing October 1-4.
September 16, 2015
Lees-McRae College Outdoor Programs is excited to host a showing of the 10th annual REEL ROCK Film Tour on Friday, September 25. An opening reception complete with information booths will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Auditorium in the Cannon Student Center at Lees-McRae College. The main event, including short film premieres, will begin at 8 p.m.
September 08, 2015
To open the new academic year and introduce newcomers to the area, the Stephenson Center for Appalachia at Lees-McRae College will present So You Say You Have Nothing To Do?: Plunging Waterfalls, Invigorating Hikes, Entertaining Beasts and Entrancing Sights on September 15 at 7 p.m. in Evans Auditorium. Lees-McRae, the highest elevation campus in the East, sits in the midst of some of the most vibrant natural attractions in the country, providing students with unmatched opportunities of outdoor adventure and relaxation.
September 08, 2015
The 2015 rankings are out and we made the cut! After collecting more than 10,000 student surveys, it is official - Lees-McRae is a great place to bring your pet!
September 01, 2015
As higher education institutions continue to face stiff competition from both traditional and alternative learning programs, Lees-McRae College is pleased to report record enrollment growth for the 2015-16 academic year. Student numbers jumped 10%, from 940 in fall 2014 to 1,034 this fall.
August 31, 2015
The Lees-McRae athletic department is proud to announce the induction of Troy Brown, Shela Moffett-Fabri and Ally Stacher into the Lees-McRae Fred I. Dickerson Athletics Hall of Fame.
August 24, 2015
Nina Fischesser, director of the May Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation, spoke with Bounce TV on Friday night. Students Shannon Granger and Dustin Longstreet assisted with the demonstration, holding two red tailed hawks and a pair of Saw-Whet owls.
August 21, 2015
Students, faculty and staff who attended the annual Lees-McRae Opening Convocation ceremony on Thursday, August 20 were inspired by the message woven throughout the program – follow your passion and you'll find success.
August 18, 2015
Lees-McRae College will host the 2015 Opening Convocation on August 20 at 3:30 p.m. in the Broyhill Theatre of Hayes Auditorium. Each fall, students, faculty and staff come together for the afternoon to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year. Executive Director of Grandfather Mountain and Lees-McRae alumnus Jesse Pope will give the keynote address titled Follow Your Passion, Find Your Success at this year’s Opening Convocation.
August 17, 2015
Colleges and universities across the country continue to implement new and innovative programs to enrich the faculty and student experience, and Lees-McRae is no exception. Our pet-friendly campus policy is garnering national attention and was just featured on People.com.
July 23, 2015
After a great production of Oliver!, the cast and crew of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre is excited to begin on their next show of the season, Lend Me a Tenor. This production will be performed on July 15-18 at 7 p.m. and July 16, 18 and 19 at 2 p.m.
July 15, 2015
What is your favorite memory from Lees-McRae College?
My favorite would have to be driving to my first day of college at Lees-McRae. I was so excited to be living in the mountains for four years and meet new people. I guess you could say I felt like a free man since I was away from home.
June 25, 2015
Lees-McRae College has launched a $250,000 fundraising campaign for the renovations of Hayes Auditorium. The auditorium, built in 1975, is located at the front of campus on Highway 194 and serves as an important campus and community venue.
June 24, 2015
Lees-McRae College was recently named no. 2 on College Raptor’s list of pet-friendly colleges and universities. One of a handful of pet-friendly campuses in the nation, Lees-McRae allows students and their pets to enroll.
June 22, 2015
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has reaffirmed the accreditation of Lees-McRae College for 10 years. The reaffirmation was announced at a meeting of the SACSCOC Board of Trustees on June 11.
June 18, 2015
Kicking off the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre season from June 26 – July 3, Oliver!, a beloved musical based on Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, has won numerous awards including the Tony for Best Musical and Academy Award for Best Picture. Set in the 19th century, Dickens makes important social statements about the conditions of poverty in London, yet does it with comedy, empathy and the ever-present sense of hope.
June 15, 2015
On Wednesday, June 17, Dr. Katherine Ledford will present a program on the inter-mountain exchange program between Southern Appalachia and Ukraine at 7 p.m. in the Carson Library on the campus of Lees-McRae College. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, this event is free and open to the public.
June 12, 2015
My favorite memory from Lees-McRae was getting to ride my bike in some of the country’s most beautiful mountains. I also really enjoyed the time I was able to spend with my dad working on my senior research project on cardiac arrhythmias in collegiate athletes.
May 26, 2015
The Lees-McRae Cycling program finished sixth overall in USA Cycling National Division I Team Rankings for the entire 2014-15 season.
May 22, 2015
Lees-McRae College President Barry M. Buxton has been named vice president of NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas. The vice president serves on the executive committee and chairs the conference personnel committee, as well as acting on behalf of the conference when the president is unable to attend conference activities. Dr. Buxton will assume the role of president of Conference Carolinas at the conclusion of the 2016 spring conference meeting.
May 22, 2015
If you are looking to gain insight into Appalachian culture or enrich your summer experience, reserve three Wednesdays in June to participate in the John B. Stephenson Lecture Series at Lees-McRae College. The Stephenson Lecture Series is free and open to the public.
May 18, 2015
Lees-McRae College conferred 214 degrees upon the class of 2015 in a beautiful commencement ceremony held on historic Tate Lawn. As a result of excellent career preparation and an 88% placement rate, the new graduates are embarking on a journey of endless opportunities.
May 11, 2015
Lees-McRae College conferred degrees upon 214 graduates during commencement exercises Saturday, May 9 on Tate Lawn on the campus in Banner Elk. The 2015 ceremony was the first time commencement has been held on Tate Lawn in the history of the College. Of the graduating class, 15 graduated with honors, 56 graduated summa cum laude (3.90-4.0 GPA), 43 graduated magna cum laude (3.70-3.89 GPA) and 31 graduated cum laude (3.50-3.69 GPA).
May 07, 2015
The Lees-McRae College Chi chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society is pleased to announce its spring 2015 class of members. Founded in 1922, Alpha Chi was established to recognize academic achievement. Today, Alpha Chi has chapters at 300 college campuses across the United States.
April 28, 2015
Lees-McRae College will hold its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. on Tate Lawn. As the culmination of the academic year, commencement is a special time for students, faculty, staff, families and the community to celebrate the accomplishments of the Lees-McRae College graduates. Lees-McRae College Board of Trustees chairman, Harvey Lowd, has been chosen as the 2015 Commencement speaker. Lowd will present his keynote address titled “Dream Big.”
April 23, 2015
The Communication Arts and Design program at Lees-McRae College is proud to host an exhibit of student artwork titled “The Shop” as part of the program’s senior exit show. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Wednesday, April 29 from 6-7 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery located in the Cannon Student Center. Senior presentations will begin at 7 p.m. in the adjacent Evans Auditorium.
April 17, 2015
The spring 2015 semester proved to be a successful one for the Lees-McRae College Robb Center for Career Exploration, which is concluding its first full academic year of operation. The Robb Center provides centralized resources for students seeking guidance on obtaining internships and jobs by providing resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation and multiple opportunities for students to learn about different career prospects.
April 10, 2015
On Wednesday, April 9, Lees-McRae celebrated the 11th annual Mountain Day of Service. This annual day of service resulted in an incredible 1,134 hours of service completed by 378 students, faculty, staff and volunteers. Altogether the campus community participated in 29 projects, two off campus and 27 on campus. After all the hard work was complete, participants gathered on Tate Lawn to enjoy a cookout, fellowship with one another and the beautiful spring weather.
April 06, 2015
Lees-McRae performing arts students will present Brunch: The Musical, an original rock musical by New York City-based actor and playwright Rick Kunzi, in a never before seen version of the show. Director and designer Ethan Henry ’15, in conjunction with Lees-McRae students, will perform the show on April 11 – 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Broyhill Theatre of Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College. Seating is general admission and entry is free.
March 31, 2015
Celebrating spring’s return to the mountains, Lees-McRae will host the fifth annual Appalachian Heritage Week April 6 through 10. Each day, the College will highlight a unique aspect of mountain heritage and invites everyone to participate in activities sponsored by the Stephenson Center for Appalachia.
March 31, 2015
Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Design Jason Sabbides will participate in the Mountain Man Memorial March (MMMM) on April 10-11 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. The 8th annual march will honor Gold Star families and loved ones.
March 31, 2015
Lees-McRae performing arts students and faculty recently participated in the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) held in Chattanooga during early March. Of the ten students in attendance, seven scored an audition, interview or made promising contacts for future employment.
March 30, 2015
Thanks to generous donations and partnerships, Lees-McRae is pleased to announce plans to enhance Bobcat athletic facilities by adding three new venues to the existing athletic complex by fall 2015. Scheduled enhancements include the addition of a media room, indoor training facility, locker rooms, study lounge, and captain’s meeting room as well as remodeled bathrooms and shower facilities and a renovated student recreation center. These enhancements increase the existing athletic footprint by 10 percent and serve over 300 student-athletes participating in one of the College’s 19 athletic teams.
March 20, 2015
Lees-McRae College is pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Thomas ’85 as Vice President of Advancement. Thomas most recently served as the Director of Development at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. He will begin his duties at Lees-McRae College on April 1, 2015.
March 12, 2015
UNC-TV recently featured the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Lees-McRae College in a special episode of the North Carolina Now program which provided a behind the scenes look at the new facility and Hart Simulation Center.
March 11, 2015
On March 20 from 5 - 6 p.m., Lees-McRae’s King-Shivell Gallery will host a reception for artist Tom Root, whose exhibit of portrait paintings will be on display throughout the month of March. Root will also host a portrait painting demonstration on March 18 at 10 a.m. in Whitesell Art Studio. The reception, exhibit and demonstration are free and open to the public.
March 10, 2015
We all know that Lees-McRae is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, and now it's time to prove it! Blue Ridge Outdoors is hosting a Top Adventure College Tournament and Lees-McRae is in the running.
This contest will put Lees-McRae up against other colleges and universities in a head-to-head 32-school bracket. Large Division I schools will battle one side of the bracket while Lees-McRae battles against smaller schools on the other side. At the end of the contest, both division winners will compete for Top Adventure College glory.
March 06, 2015
Lees-McRae College is proud to announce that incoming freshman, Maggie Thomas, has been named the first recipient of the Sam and Mary Hart Endowed Scholarship. As the winner, Thomas will receive a full tuition scholarship that is renewable for up to four years as long as she maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
March 03, 2015
Lees-McRae students are making moves to elevate their careers! On March 4, nearly a dozen students and six faculty and staff members from the Performing Arts Department will make the trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the four-day Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) 2015 Annual Convention.
February 23, 2015
If you are looking for an escape from the winter blues, come to Lees-McRae College on Thursday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m. in Evans Auditorium to watch a screening of Jesse Knight’s feature film The Orbs. As part of the Stephenson Center for Appalachia Lecture Series, Knight will discuss the process of producing a movie in Appalachia, and show his award-winning film. This event is free and open to the public.
February 17, 2015
On February 20 from 5 – 6 p.m., Lees-McRae’s King-Shivell Gallery will host a reception for the faculty art show, Across Borders. The featured faculty artists will be available to discuss their work. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display until February 27.
February 12, 2015
For the second consecutive semester and the third consecutive spring semester, Lees-McRae College experienced significant enrollment growth. The overall enrollment for the spring semester has increased 10%, with a 77% increase in new student enrollment and a 6% increase in continuing student enrollment over spring 2014.
February 12, 2015
Get ready for a great night at the theatre! The Lees-McRae Performing Arts Department is proud to present the British production, She Stoops to Conquer, a classic comedy of errors that debuted in 1773. The production will premiere in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. and run through March 1. All performances are open to the public.
February 11, 2015
Lees-McRae's senior class combined for 53 points while the men's basketball team made history by claiming their school-record 14th win in 86-78 fashion against Conference Carolinas foe Emmanuel (Ga.) Tuesday evening at Williams Gymnasium in Banner Elk, N.C.
February 05, 2015
Lees-McRae College is proud to announce a new height of success for its Honors Program. At 84 students, the program is enjoying its largest enrollment to date, while also celebrating a persistence rate of 98.18% from fall 2014 to spring 2015. The program is growing at such a rate that program director Dr. Ken Craig is looking to increase its scope to 100 students by next fall. All of these accomplishments come just as the college gears up for its annual Scholars Day on February 21.
February 03, 2015
On Thursday, January 29, Lees-McRae College named Dr. Todd Lidh as Provost. Dr. Lidh was most recently the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He will begin his duties on July 1, 2015.
February 02, 2015
Lees-McRae is proud to announce that on January 30, 2015, the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) approved the College to begin offering a pre-licensure nursing program. As the regulating body for the practice of nursing in North Carolina, NCBON approval marks a significant milestone in the progress of pre-licensure nursing at Lees-McRae.
January 30, 2015
Lees-McRae’s newly formed Nerd Club Gaming Association’s (NCGA) League of Legends team garnered 4th place in its first tournament, competing against 32 teams and earning Riot Points used for in game content. The formation of the collegiate League of Legends team, created by the Vice President of Nerd Club Paul Scherer, has set a new standard for pursuing competitive gaming passions at Lees-McRae.
January 26, 2015
From January 19 – 23, volunteers from Lees-McRae College participated in the 34th Annual DSUSA Adaptive Learn to Ski event at Beech Mountain Resort. Students, staff and alumni assisted instructors and volunteers with many of the lessons for the more than 70 individuals with disabilities as they learned to ski and snowboard.
January 23, 2015
From her home in Horse Shoe, N.C., Lees-McRae College alumna Ally Stacher ’10 is building an empire powered by sweet potato flavored bars simply named Ally’s Bar. In addition to operating a thriving energy bar business, Stacher is also a professional cyclist riding in multiple disciplines. It was her love of training married with a love of cooking that spawned this delightfully tasty treat and business venture.
January 20, 2015
Pity Kerry Shields.
He’d filled an oversized van with gear and driven halfway across the country to watch his twin daughters compete for national championships in cyclocross bicycle racing.
To be sure, it’s a niche sport followed mostly by the riders, their friends and families and hardcore spokeheads. The crowds that turned up to watch in a muddy city park in Austin, Texas last weekend wouldn’t rival that found at an average high-school football game.
Still, for the Shieldses – and their beleaguered father — it was the culmination of 10 years of hard work, a rare shot at being the best in the country in a sport they love.
January 14, 2015
As with many alumni, it’s impossible for Kim Coley Rosenfeld ’13 to choose her favorite memory from Lees-McRae. “I have so many great memories with my former softball teammates including games, trips and 'family nights.' My junior year, I was able to embark on a trip of a lifetime to London. While in London, I experienced navigating a foreign country all alone: I booked my flight for the wrong day, saw amazing things, experienced food poisoning for the first time and made life-long friends that I probably would never have crossed paths with outside of the trip. Lastly, one cannot spend an extended amount of time in Banner Elk and not have memories involving snow; I will never forget snowboarding on Tate Lawn and 'bobsledding' down our driveway on Sugar Mountain!”
January 14, 2015
Senior Emily Shields claimed the national title in the women's Division I cyclocross and the Lees-McRae cycling teams grabbed third overall in the Division I team omnium at the 2015 USA Cycling Collegiate Cyclocross Nationals in Austin, Texas.
January 05, 2015
(High Country Press) It may still be wintertime, but Lees-McRae College already has great things in store for the High Country community for the upcoming summer months. The highly-anticipated 2015 lineup of the annual Lees-McRae Summer Theatre has officially been announced, and the 2015 summer season is sure to be yet another great year of theatrical treats.