Lees–McRae College


Lees–McRae College is a private college in Banner Elk, North Carolina affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Lees–McRae College has the highest elevation of any American college or university east of the Mississippi River, at above sea level. It is one of the few colleges to be named after two women, Suzanna Lees and Elizabeth McRae.

History

Lees–McRae College was founded in Banner Elk as an all-female high school in 1899 by Reverend Edgar Tufts, a Presbyterian minister. He named the school The Elizabeth McRae Institute after a well-respected educator in 1900. School benefactor Suzanna Lees' name was added in 1903 and the school's name became the Lees-McRae Institute when the school was chartered by the state in 1907.
An all-male branch was founded during 1907 in Plumtree, North Carolina. The Plumtree facility was destroyed in a 1927 fire, leading the two campuses to merge at the Banner Elk site. After the merge, the high school program was phased out and the institute was renamed in 1931 to Lees–McRae College, an accredited, coeducational junior college.
Lees-McRae began moving toward offering a four-year program in the late 1980s and the school's president made the recommendation to the board of trustees in 1987. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted Lees-McRae status as a four-year college in 1990. In 2005, Lees-McRae became the first expansion site for New Opportunity School for Women, a program that helps educate and employ women in Appalachia.

Campus

Landmarks on campus include the historic Rock House, built in 1920 of native stone; Tufts Tower, a former water tower that houses the campus chimes; and the North Carolina Building, completed in 1922 and one of three permanent buildings planned by the college's founder. Also, there is Tate Residence Hall which was originally the town hospital. There are other campus images in the gallery below.
The College's Bookstore, named The Exchange, accepted chickens, pigs, grain, other crops and livestock in exchange for education costs in the early years of the college's history.
In 2003, the college saw its first major construction in 20 years with the opening of the Arthur-Lauritsen-Sanders Track and Field Venue.
In 2008, the William Reynolds Gymnasium, originally built in 1938 with the aid of students, was renovated as part of the new Carol and Glenn Arthur Student Recreation Complex.

Housing

There are several residence halls at Lees–McRae College that provide multiple college living experiences; many of the housing options are even pet-friendly.
Tennessee and Virginia halls were constructed from stones from those states.
The college has seven academic divisions: Business Administration, Creative and Fine Arts, Education, Humanities, Nursing and Allied Health, Science and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The college offers 15 majors, including Wildlife Rehabilitation, Wildlife Biology, Performing Arts Studies, Business Administration and Elementary Education. During its junior college days, the College awarded the AA or AS degree. Beginning in 1990 the associate degree programs were abandoned and students began courses of study for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. The college offers degree completion programs in birth-kindergarten education, elementary education, criminal justice, and nursing at three community college sites in Western North Carolina. The Performing Arts Department offers a BFA degree in Musical Theatre, and supports Alpha Psi Omega, an honorary fraternity for theatre.

Sports, clubs, and traditions

Intramural opportunities are available for several sports.
The newest to the athletic department is the competitive climbing team as a club sport.
Several programs are available to students interested in leadership, service and the outdoors. These programs range from the school's own Campus After The Class Hours, KIBO Emerging Leaders, and Outdoor Programs to national programs like AmeriCorps Bonner Leaders.
Student groups on campus include:
The Lees-McRae Bobcats compete in NCAA Division II and play in Conference Carolinas. All athletic teams are eligible for athletic scholarships. The College is also home to a cycling team which competes in Division I and holds national championships. Also the Men's Soccer Team is currently number two in the nation. The varsity sports teams are listed below.
Male Sports
Female Sports