2017

In a recent ranking by TheBestColleges.org that listed the Top Online Bachelor’s in Human Services for 2018, the Lees-McRae online Human Services program received a top spot.

Of the 921 students enrolled in the fall 2017 semester at Lees-McRae College, 406 students—nearly half of enrolled students at the college—finished with academic honors, landing on either the President’s or Dean’s lists.

Pro cyclist on team BMC and former Lees-McRae cyclist Brent Bookwalter reflects on his early years in cycling and the importance of supporting collegiate cycling programs.

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.

For years, Lees-McRae College has been providing students with a cutting-edge education to take on the healthcare world.

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.

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.

Adding to a long list of accolades, Lees-McRae online learning programs notched a No. 18 spot on The Best College’s annual ranking of “Best Online Colleges in North Carolina.”

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.

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.

Become immersed in the heartbreaking and hopeful Lees-McRae Theatre Arts production of And Then They Came For Me: Remembering The World of Anne Frank.

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.

College fairs can quickly feel like rapid-fire free-for-alls, which in some of the best-case scenarios, can make you feel a tad overwhelmed. To help cure some of your frustration, we asked four Lees-McRae admission counselors to share their college fair advice so you can go into the next college fair feeling prepared.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Every day, Lees-McRae College alumni take their degrees and put them to work in new and amazing ways. Take some time to get to know alumnus Peter Gau ’14. A Newark, Ohio, native, Gau studied Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Rehabilitation at Lees-McRae and now works at The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio.

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.

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.”

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.

Twenty-four junior nursing students stirred in their seats that Friday evening. Clutching their white coats in their hands, Sept. 15 could have passed with no real significance for anyone outside of Evans Auditorium, but for the students who sat in their formal dress attire, surrounded by their nursing predecessors, this evening was long awaited.

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.

Lees-McRae College announces the appointment of Jonathan Kokos as the new Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs. Kokos will also serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the College.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks to technology, most college applications are now completed online, which is especially convenient when you have several dozen more things to worry about when considering college.

As the East Coast regional manager for USA Cycling and former Lees-McRae Cycling Team member, Stuart Lamp's passion for the sport runs deep. Previously a professional cyclist for nine years, Lamp will bring his passion to his hometown of Decatur, Alabama.

Open House: A day entirely dedicated to fun campus tours, exciting information fairs and sessions. No matter where your interests may be, chances are the Open House has a session especially for you.

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.

Formerly named the Performing Arts Program, the Theatre Arts Department and the Theatre Arts Program, housed within the department, began the new semester with newly renamed titles to match several years of tailored curriculum.

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.

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.

Williams Gymnasium on the campus of Lees-McRae kicked off its next big chapter during the Celebration and Preview event on Monday, August 28.

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.

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.

Colleges of Distinction awarded the business, education and nursing programs at Lees-McRae for extraordinary professional programming.

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.

Lees-McRae Performing Arts will open its stage for fall production auditions on Wednesday, August 16, at 6:30 p.m. in Hayes Auditorium.

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.

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.

Professional cyclists and former Lees-McRae Bobcats, Brent Bookwalter ’06 and Andrew Talansky, shared in a recent VeloNews Q&A how their time in the collegiate ranks set them up for elite racing.

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.

Two laboratories within the Bowman Building will receive major renovations because of a $500,000 donation from the Cannon Charitable Trust.

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.”

Taking stage last, but certainly not least, Legally Blonde The Musical will cap off the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre season starting July 28.

Defined for its “upward trajectory,” Lees-McRae College was named a College of Distinction within the prestigious North Carolina cohort.

Revisit some of the greatest songs of the rock ‘n’ roll age through the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre performance of the Tony award-winning show, Million Dollar Quartet.

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.

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.

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.

Nearly 600 students landed on either the Dean’s or President’s lists during the spring 2017 semester, a near 10 percent increase in student honors over the semester prior.

On Tuesday, June 6, Conference Carolinas Commissioner, Dr. Alan Patterson, met with Lees-McRae President Dr. Barry M. Buxton on the campus of Lees-McRae College to discuss strategic planning and conference branding.

The Lees-McRae College Hayes Auditorium and Broyhill Theatre stage will come to life in vibrant colors on June 25 with the premiere of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In a recent ranking by AffordableColleges.com that listed the 25 best online human services programs for 2017, the Lees-McRae College online Human Services degree received a top spot.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Brandi Clark, a junior at Lees-McRae College, never thought she would attend college, much less spend a month studying wildlife in New Zealand.

Registration is now open for two Lees-McRae College science-focused camps, the Wildlife Science Summer Program and the Advanced Wildlife Science Summer Program.

Lees-McRae College's Director of Athletic Training and Senior Women's Administrator (SWA) Rita Smith was honored with the 'Legends of the Game' award Monday evening. This honor is given to administrators who have logged over 30 years of service at their institutions.

Lees-McRae College elementary education graduate and Flat Rock Elementary School fourth grade teacher, Phillip Riekehof ’12, named Surry County School District Teacher of the Year.

Lees-McRae Assistant Professors of Biology, Dr. Sean Collins and Dr. Kelly Collins, were named as the most recent recipients of the coveted Whalen Research Scholar Grant and the Whalen Master Teacher Grant, respectively.

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.

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.

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.

So you want to transfer, but what does “transferring” really even mean? Director of Admission Candace Silver shares her tips for making the switch.

May 1 is National Decision Day and because of this, you may be feeling extra pressure to make your final decision.

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.

Students, faculty and staff gathered Thursday, April 20, in Evans Auditorium to celebrate the recipients of several coveted awards as part of the traditional Honors and Awards event.

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.”

With flashing red and white lights strapped to their bike’s seat-posts and handlebars, the four men– dressed appropriately warm for the cool Washington, D.C. night–zipped their way through the emptied streets of downtown.

Tickets are now available online for the 2017 Lees-McRae Summer Theatre series which will kick-off on June 25 with several performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Million Dollar Quartet and Legally Blonde The Musical.

Wildlife biology majors Shelby Reynolds and Christopher “Ryan” Hill presented their senior research projects on Friday, April 7, during the 24th Annual Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference at Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky.

Holocaust survivor Dr. Walter Ziffer will present first-hand accounts of his experiences at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19 in Evans Auditorium.

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.

Mark Reed, a nationally ranked private school leader and trustee for several regional and domestic boards, will speak during the spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 6. During that time, he will also receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education.

Currently serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s fifth district, Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., spent the afternoon Friday, March 31 answering students’ questions and discussing her childhood in Avery County.

Two incoming fall 2017 students, Thomas Clement of Columbia, South Carolina, and Amanda Lubkemann, of Boone, North Carolina, were named beneficiaries of the celebrated, full-tuition Elizabeth McRae Scholarship.

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.

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.

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.

Lees-McRae College was recognized, and landed on a list of top North Carolina colleges, as one of the best institutions offering online learning in the nation by The Community for Accredited Online Schools.

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.

The New Opportunity School for Women at Lees-McRae College is accepting applications for the program’s free annual summer session.

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.

2017 marks Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s fifth “Top Adventure College” tournament and Lees-McRae is in the running.

Vice President of Enrollment Management Erin Healey appeared on WJHL Daytime Tri-Cities’ “Daytime Discovers” on Friday, March 3 to share her tips for a successful college visit.

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.

In a bright, mural-covered library amidst several-dozen Mabel Elementary School students on Monday, February 20, President Buxton, alongside Appalachian State University Chancellor Sheri Everts and Caldwell Community College President Mark Poarch, talked about his career as president and answered questions in honor of Presidents Day.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Under layers of makeup and even green synthetic fur, 26-year-old Richard Gebo is almost unrecognizable. A 2013 Lees-McRae BFA graduate, Gebo has played roles from reformed shark “Bruce” in Finding Nemo: The Musical to the “Grinch” in Grinchmas, and though he says the work he does is constant and highly competitive, he would not change a thing.

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.”

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.

Adaptive Ski Week participants are used to pushing against the odds, even if that means skiing in warmer-than-usual North Carolina winter temperatures.

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.

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.

The Dotti M. Shelton Learning Commons will soon have a new director walking through its many rows of publications. Starting on February 6, Jessica Bellemer will begin as the new director of library services. Her position will oversee the operation of the newly-renovated learning commons and on-campus learning services as well as off-campus.

The May School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Lees-McRae College will host a team from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) from March 15-17, 2017, when CCNE conducts its on-site evaluation of the baccalaureate degree nursing program (RN to BSN and Pre-licensure BSN).

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.

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.

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.