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Installation of Dr. Summer McGee as 13th President of Ï㽶´«Ã½

October 14-16, 2025

Join us in celebrating a historic moment for Ï㽶´«Ã½ as we prepare for the inauguration of our 13th president, Dr. Summer McGee. This page will serve as your comprehensive guide to all inauguration events and details as they are finalized.

Dr. Summer McGee's appointment marks a significant new chapter for Lenoir-Rhyne, and we are thrilled to welcome her visionary leadership to our campus community. We invite students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to participate in the week-long festivities designed to honor this momentous occasion.

While many exciting details are still being confirmed, we are pleased to present the preliminary schedule of events. Please check back regularly in the coming weeks for updates, additional event information, and registration details.

Inauguration Schedule of Events

Monday, October 13

Presidential Pinball Challenge
Time TBD, Cromer Center
Ready to flip, tilt, and score big? In honor of pinball enthusiasts Dr. Summer McGee and Dr. Glenn McGee, we're holding a special pinball tournament as part of the inauguration festivities.

Join us for a day of arcade action in the Cromer Center lobby, hosted by LR Athletics. Seasoned pros and casual players are welcome to test their skills and compete for bragging rights and awesome prizes. It's a fantastic way to celebrate a new era at LR and embrace our president's passion for the classic game. Don't miss out on the fun!

Tuesday, October 14

Summer at Bear Grove
5-8 p.m., Bear Grove
LR students are invited celebrate the start of a new era at LR with a laid-back evening of food and fun. Join the Bear family for a classic, summer-themed barbecue featuring delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a variety of lawn games and activities to enjoy with friends. Relax on the grass, challenge your classmates to a friendly competition, and connect with the LR community as we honor our new president, Dr. Summer McGee.

Wednesday, October 15

Chapel Service
10 a.m., Grace Chapel
As we celebrate President McGee’s inauguration, we gather for worship to share in fellowship and pray for God’s blessings upon Dr. McGee as she leads our university. Dr. McGee will preach, sharing her own faith story with our community. Our worship pattern will come from the Lutheran tradition and include Holy Communion.

Academic Event
6 p.m., Belk Centrum
A cornerstone event honoring Lenoir-Rhyne's dedication to learning and discovery. Further details on speakers and program will be shared soon.

Thursday, October 16

Inauguration Ceremony
3:30 p.m., P.E. Monroe Auditorium
The formal ceremony officially installing Dr. Summer McGee as the 13th President of Ï㽶´«Ã½. All are welcome to witness this historic event.

Campus Celebration
5 p.m., Shuford Arena
Join us immediately following the ceremony for a vibrant campus-wide celebration! Expect food, fellowship, and festivities as we commemorate this new era for LR.

Parking Details
We encourage guests to park in Lot F, located at 768 Stasavich Place, Hickory. This lot is adjacent to Moretz Stadium and provides convenient access to P.E. Monroe Auditorium and Shuford Arena.

Additional visitor parking is available throughout campus. A map indicating all visitor parking is available .

Stay tuned for more information! We will be updating this page frequently with finalized times, specific event descriptions, RSVP information, and hotel details. We look forward to celebrating with you!