Lenoir-Rhyne President Dr. Fred Whitt announces retirement

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s 12th President, Dr. Fred Whitt, has announced that he plans to retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, ending what will be 50 years of a distinguished career in higher education.

Whitt assumed the presidency on Feb. 1, 2017. His time at LR has been characterized by his compassionate nature, his commitment to students and their success, and implementation of a bold strategic plan, Pivoting to a New Level of Excellence.

“This has not been an easy decision, and it is bittersweet for my wife, Donna, and me. We have absolutely loved our time at LR and while making this decision is difficult, it will soon be time to pass the torch,” Whitt said. “We will then have more time to travel and spend time with our extended family and our five wonderful grandchildren (now ages 1 through 9). We realize good health is never guaranteed, particularly as we age. So, it is important to us, while healthy, to have the time for our grandchildren to make more memories with their ‘Nonna and Poppa.’”

During Whitt’s tenure, the university has celebrated many accomplishments with an emphasis on the four themes identified in the strategic plan—enhancing academic excellence, improving the student experience, boosting brand identity and ensuring a sustainable future.

“Dr. Whitt’s dedication to our students, faculty, and staff has been exemplary,” said Madeleine Dassow, chair of the LR Board of Trustees. “His commitment to academic excellence, his support of our students and his determination to meet challenges head on have positioned LR for continued success. While we are excited for him to enjoy his well-deserved retirement, we will deeply miss his leadership and unwavering commitment to our university.”

Under Whitt’s guidance, LR has achieved significant milestones, including but not limited to:

• SACSCOC regional accreditation for the maximum 10-year period. 
• Creation of LR’s first doctoral degree – the Doctor of Nursing Practice—and new and revamped undergraduate degrees in high-demand fields of engineering physics, computer science with cybersecurity concentration, human resource management, professional sales, project management and supply chain management.
• Successfully refinanced $50 million through public sale of bonds to free up $20 million for major infrastructure work and deferred maintenance on the Hickory campus at reduced interest rates.
• Completed more than $65 million in new projects and renovations to improve campus facilities, including Dassow University Commons, Shuford Arena, Moretz Stadium, Daniel Rhyne Academic Building, Isenhour Residence Hall, and the Alumni House.
• Managed LR through the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining face-to-face classes, and not reducing employee benefits, salaries, or implementing layoffs or furloughs.
• Reversed LR from the national COVID enrollment decline, as fall 2024 will see the highest enrollment of overall new students, total undergraduate students, and on-campus residential students since 2019.
• Achieved 100% first time nursing pass rates on BSN national licensure exam 2024 graduates.
• Implemented plan to relocate Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary from Columbia, South Carolina, to LR’s Hickory campus.
• Received a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the largest federal grant in school history, to support the training of STEM educators.
• Realized a 63 percent increase in total fundraising to the university from $8 million in FY18 to $13.3 million in FY24.
• Established the Fritz Honors College, the first of any ELCA college or university.
• Secured LR’s first student Fulbright Scholar in 2017-18, and LR’s first Goldwater and Gilman Scholars in 2024.
• Established the Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose, supporting students in creating lives of meaning and purpose through their vocation.
• As part of a commitment to affordability, implemented a tuition reset that lowered tuition from $43,000 to $30,000 in 2023.
• Established the BEAR Bound Initiative, an agreement with 14 area community colleges, to support accessibility and transferability of community college graduates transferring to Lenoir-Rhyne.
• Enhanced representation on the LR Board of Trustees from women, minorities, and the business community, including diversity of age.
• Provided faculty, staff, and students with 24/7 mental health support through a partnership with Timely Health.
• Revised LR general education curriculum to improve retention, time to degree, and student success.
• Established a new tradition of awarding “Parachute Awards” annually to recognize those employees who are unsung heroes and “pack our parachutes” every day.
• Elevated NCAA D2 athletic profile, winning the first NCAA national championship in men’s lacrosse, a first-ever World Series berth in softball, and the highest Learfield national ranking in school history.
• Hosted college students displaced from Afghanistan so they could finish their degrees.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together at Lenoir-Rhyne,” said Whitt. “It has been an honor for me and my wife, Donna, to serve this remarkable community and the highlight of my career to serve as LR’s 12th president. I am confident that LR will continue to thrive and make a positive impact on the world.”

A nationwide search for Whitt’s successor will begin in the coming months. Until then, Whitt will remain fully committed to LR through the 2024-25 academic year and will work diligently to ensure a smooth transition for the next president.