Here's the press release from the Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville:

Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville will celebrate its grand opening on Monday, August 13th at 5:00pm. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy will issue a proclamation naming August 13th Lenoir-Rhyne University Day followed by tours of the Center’s new facilities at 36 Montford Avenue.

“This is an exciting time for Lenior-Rhyne,” says Dr. Wayne Powell, president of the university. “The reception we have received from the Asheville community has been exceptional. We look forward to working with community and business leaders as our nine graduate programs grow and invite the Asheville community to come celebrate with us.”

In March of this year, Lenoir-Rhyne purchased 45 percent of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce building, where the Center is located. Classes will be held on thethird floor, which has recently been remodeled to include classrooms, state-of-the art technology, and conference rooms.

“We designed all nine of our graduate programs for the working professional and offer classes in the evenings, on weekends, and online. The flexible schedules and convenient downtown location are of benefit to potential students looking to advance their education,” says Powell.

Starting August 20th the Center will offer the following degree programs:

Health Care/Sciences

• Dietetics Internship (focus on obesity in children)
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science in Nursing

Business and Government

• Master of Business Administration (with the following concentration options):

-- Business and Sustainability - "green MBA"
-- Tourism and Hospitality
-- Health Care Administration
-- Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization
-- Arts Entrepreneurship

Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Master of Arts in Writing
• Master of Science in Sustainability Studies

Education and Human Services

• Master of Arts in Counseling
• Master of Arts in Community College Administration
• Master of Arts in Teaching

The LR Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville grand opening celebration is open to the public and sponsored by Frankie Bones and Asheville Brewing Company.

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a private, coeducational university with its primary campus in Hickory, NC and was founded in 1891. Today, over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled. Academic programs include 60 undergraduate majors, 14 graduate programs, the Center for Graduate Students of Asheville; and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Lenoir-Rhyne is affiliated with the NC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. The website is www.lr.edu.