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Lees McRae College

Mountainfilm on Tour Returns to Lees-McRae for High Country Film and Speaker Series 2025–26 on Feb. 21 – Discounted Tickets Available Now

December 4, 2025 One of the country’s longest-running film festivals, Mountainfilm on Tour, returns for another season of the Lees-McRae High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series, this year featuring a live music performance before the screening of the latest lineup of documentary short films. This year’s Mountainfilm on Tour event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21 in Hayes Auditorium on the college’s North Campus. Live music will begin at 6:15 p.m. and the film screening will begin at 7 p.m. Advance online tickets are $10 for Lees-McRae students and $15 for community members. 

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All Ears: Banner Elk Unveils First-Ever Summer of Music Featuring 90-Plus Live Performances

May 30, 2025 While the arts have always played a key role in Banner Elk, the town takes it up a notch in 2025 with its first-ever Summer of Music. Top-level national, regional and local acts take the stage at a variety of venues all summer long. The schedule features 90-plus live performances, highlighted by Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune, bluegrass stars Jim Lauderdale and Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Oates and Gary Morris, who has five No. 1 country songs.

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Helping Hands Concert Series Brings Big Names to Banner Elk at Hayes Auditorium

April 16, 2025 Stars from across the music spectrum will perform three benefit concerts this summer at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates of Hall & Oates, Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and two-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale are among the star-studded lineup. All artists are donating their time to raise money for Hurricane Helene victims in the greater Banner Elk area.

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Join Lees-McRae College in Giving Back to the Community Following Hurricane Helene at this Year’s Mountain Day of Service on March 28

March 12, 2025 Each year Lees-McRae College holds Mountain Day of Service, an important annual tradition celebrated since the early days of the college in which students, faculty, and staff leave the classroom and spend the day at volunteer sites throughout the High Country. This year, in the college’s 125th year of operation, Mountain Day of Service is more important than ever, and parents and families, alumni, members of the local community, and friends of Lees-McRae are all invited to join the college in this important day of service on Friday, March 28. 

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Looking back on 20 Years of the New Opportunity School for Women at Lees-McRae College

February 21, 2025 Each summer since 2005, Appalachian women have been gathering on the Lees-McRae College campus for a three-week transformative experience that seeks to give them the skills and tools to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. This summer, the 2025 cohort of the New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) marks 20 years of the program that changes lives one summer at a time. Over the past two decades of its operation, NOSW has served dozens of low-income women in the region and has remained unique among similar programs. Unlike many peer organizations, the NOSW experience is truly immersive, bringing participants to the college’s campus where they live, learn, and grow in an enriching environment for the duration of the program.

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Lees-McRae College Introduces New Bachelor of Science Degree in Tourism & Resort Management

February 19, 2025 Core Strategy III of the Lees-McRae strategic plan, INEXPRO 2030, is Distinctiveness, specifically leaning into the institution’s unique identity by establishing majors and sports that help students stand out. The college’s newest academic program, Tourism and Resort Management, is the latest step in achieving that ongoing goal. Tourism and Resort Management will build on current programming within the School of Business and Management to prepare students for careers in the international tourism industry through curriculum that integrates leadership skills, experiential learning opportunities, and entrepreneurial training.

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Mountainfilm on Tour Will Come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Hayes Auditorium at 6:00

February 4, 2025 Mountainfilm on Tour, a collection of top-of-the-line outdoor adventure films from the annual Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado, is returning to Lees-McRae this winter as part of the college’s High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of the film medium to inspire audiences to create a better world. To achieve this, they collect the most inspiring, culturally rich, and adventurous documentary short films each year to share with a national audience. Mountainfilm on Tour will come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8, and the films will be screened in Hayes Auditorium. The doors open at 6 p.m., live music starts at 6:15pm, and the films start at 7:00pm.

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Mountainfilm on Tour Returns to Lees-McRae College on Feb. 8 as Part of the High Country Film and Speaker Series

January 14, 2025. Mountainfilm on Tour, a collection of top-of-the-line outdoor adventure films from the annual Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado, is returning to Lees-McRae this winter as part of the college’s High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of the film medium to inspire audiences to create a better world. To achieve this, they collect the most inspiring, culturally rich, and adventurous documentary short films each year to share with a national audience. Mountainfilm on Tour will come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8, and the films will be screened in Hayes Auditorium. The screening will begin at 6 p.m.

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Lees-McRae College High Country Film and Speaker Series Returns with Teton Gravity Research Film for 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 7

November 26, 2024 The Lees-McRae High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series has returned for another year of exciting film screenings and speaker events, and this year’s series is kicking off with the Teton Gravity Research (TGR) film for 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 7. This year’s Teton Gravity Research film will be screened at the Beech Mountain Brewery Taproom and Grill at 7 p.m. Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m., and all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Lees-McRae Ski and Snowboard team as they begin their first varsity season.

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Lees-McRae Men’s Basketball Team Wins One Game; Loses Another in South Atlantic Conference/Conference Carolinas Challenge

November 11, 2024 After playing major college (Division One) traditional power North Carolina State University to only a four-point loss (79-75) in an exhibition game on October 30, the Lees-McRae College Bobcats officially opened their 2024-2025 basketball season in the South Atlantic Conference/Conference Carolinas Challenge last Saturday night with an 87-82 win against the University of Virginia at Wise (UVA-Wise). Besides Lees-McRae and UVA-Wise, the two-day tournament (November 9 and 10) featured their fellow Division II schools, King University and Carson-Newman University.  Lees-McRae and King are members of the Conference Carolinas and UVA-Wise and Carson-Newman are members of the South Atlantic Conference. The Bobcats then lost 87-80 to Carson-Newman University on Sunday.   By Tim Gardner

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Lees-McRae Theatre Arts Season to Return with 1960s Musical “Sweet Charity” November 21

November 8, 2024 Fans of romcoms, classical musical theatre, and Bob Fosse choreography will not want to miss the first production of the season from Lees-McRae Theatre Arts, “Sweet Charity.” While it was initially delayed due to Hurricane Helene, the show will make it to the stage Thursday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 24. The dance-forward musical tells the story of Charity, a taxi dancer in 1960s New York City who is looking for love in all the wrong places. “The tagline from the beginning of the show has been, ‘The adventures of a girl who wanted to be loved,’” junior Musical Theatre major LillyRuth Beck, who plays the titular role, said.

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Lees-McRae College Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Mountain Heritage High School Located in Yancey County

August 29, 2024 Mountain Heritage High School, located in Yancey County, North Carolina, has become the newest high school to establish a partnership with Lees-McRae. The partnership was formalized on Monday, Aug. 23 by Yancey County Schools Superintendent Kathy Amos and Lees-McRae Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Kevin Phillips. Lees-McRae Director of Admissions Trenton Burleson and Mountain Heritage High School Principal Daron Williams were also in attendance. Burleson also spoke that night at the Yancey County Schools Board of Education meeting to announce the partnership.

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Newly-Renovated Lees-McRae College Historic Commons Buildings Rededicated and Celebrated with Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

July 25, 2024 The celebration of one of the top milestones in the 125-year history of Lees-McRae College—the rededication of its Historic Commons buildings following the recent completion of their renovations and extensive physical upgrades–was held with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 18. A large and highly enthusiastic gathering of approximately 225 attended the celebration ceremony held at the North Carolina Building on campus, including school officials, employees, alumni, Town of Banner Elk and County of Avery officials, regional and state dignitaries, and other special guests and visitors. By Tim Gardner

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Lees-McRae College Presents Its 45th Season of the FORUM Summer Music Series

May 30, 2024 The annual FORUM summer music series at Lees-McRae College will kick off with its 45th season on Monday, June 17. Each Monday throughout the summer season, the series hosts a musical artist, group, or band in Hayes Auditorium on the college’s North Campus for two consecutive performances at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The 2024 season features eight exciting new acts each Monday from June 17 to August 5. Single-show and season tickets are available for purchase now, so get yours today.

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F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour Joins Lees-McRae College 2023−24 High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series on April 13

April 8, 2024 For 18 years, the F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour has hit the road annually to bring the best fly fishing films from around the world to eager international audiences. The film tour is back again this year with their latest film lineup, and the Lees-McRae College campus is one of the next stops on the tour’s schedule. This year’s series of short films takes viewers around the world, exploring fly-fishing communities of all kinds and capturing the intricacies of this beloved sport. This is a series of films you truly will not want to miss, so get your tickets now before they are gone.

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Appalachian Heritage Week Tradition Returns to Lees-McRae College April 15 – 19

April 8, 2024 The John B. Stephenson Center for Appalachia and Comparative Highland Studies is back with a beloved annual tradition, Appalachian Heritage Week. Each year the college sets aside time in the spring to celebrate the place we all call home through programming that highlights Appalachian culture, food, history, natural resources, and more. This year, the Stephenson Center will host Appalachian Heritage Week Monday, April 15 through Friday, April 19 with fun and educational activities each day. Click here for full schedule of community events for Appalachian Heritage Week 2024.

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Tickets for 2024 Season of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre Available Now for All Performances

April 2, 2024 Tickets for the latest season of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre are now available for all performances. The season will officially kick off the college’s 125th anniversary celebrations with what Lees-McRae Summer Theatre Director Janet Barton Speer calls, “a love letter to our beautiful area.” This year’s season opens with “From the Mountaintop: The Edgar Tufts Story,” which tells the story of Rev. Edgar Tufts, who transformed Banner Elk and the surrounding community when he founded the college along with the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, Grandfather Home for Children, and Grace Hospital. The season also features a brand-new variety show, “High Country Talent Jamboree,” which showcases the culture of the High Country through music, dance, and more

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Lees-McRae College New Opportunity School for Women Accepting Applications for Three Week Summer 2024 Session this June

March 25, 2024 The Lees-McRae College New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) is now accepting applications for the program’s 20th annual summer session. This year’s session is held Sunday, June 2−Saturday, June 22. NOSW is seeking 14 women to take part in this year’s session. The three-week residential program is free for participants, and assistance with travel and childcare costs are available. Throughout the session participants explore career options, set educational goals, and develop leadership skills, all while enjoying the college’s historic campus and the beautiful mountains that surround it.

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Barton, Lees-McRae Claim Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Cheer and Dance Championship Crowns for Second Straight Year

March 11, 2024 Lees-McRae claimed the team title in Cheerleading for the second straight year, while Barton claimed its second consecutive Dance team title at the annual Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Spirit Championships.  Lees-McRae was also chosen as the Advanced Co-Ed Division winner in cheerleading, while North Greenville captured the Intermediate All-Girl championship in cheerleading.

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Lees-McRae Basketball Advances to Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals with 79-75 Win over North Greenville; Faces No. 3 Chowan on March 8

March 5, 2024 Lees-McRae men’s basketball moves to the Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Men’s Basketball Championship Quarterfinals after defeating No. 12 North Greenville, 79-75, on Monday evening. Nico Ashley posted the fourth-most blocks in NCAA Division II this season with nine and Ja’Quavian Florence led the Bobcats in the scoring column with 20 points.

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Lees-McRae College Summer Theatre Announces Exciting New 2024 Season Featuring Audience Favorites; Tickets Go on Sale Monday, April 1

March 5, 2024 Get ready for another summer of engrossing performances, stunning set design, and inspiring stories with the latest season of Lees-McRae Summer Theatre. The 2024 season of the beloved theatre series is the official kickoff of the college’s 125-year anniversary celebration, and Lees-McRae is bringing back some crowd favorites to commemorate the milestone. This year’s season will feature an all-new variety show and a revival of the beloved local history tale “From the Mountaintop: The Edgar Tufts Story.”

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Celebrate Winter in the Mountains at Lees-McRae College with Inspiring Short Films from “Mountainfilm on Tour” this Saturday Feb. 17

February 13, 2024 Mountainfilm on Tour, the annual tour of the most inspiring short films featured at that year’s Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado, is coming to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 17. The tour has been bringing exciting, cutting-edge short films about the great outdoors to cities throughout the country since 1999, and for the first time the tour will be stopping in Banner Elk as part of the college’s High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series.

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Lees-McRae Wins Inaugural Developmental Women’s Basketball Championship

February 6, 2024  The inaugural Conference Carolinas Developmental Women’s Basketball Championship was held on Monday, Feb. 5 in Belmont, North Carolina inside the Wheeler Center on the campus of Belmont Abbey. Lees-McRae went 2-0 on the day to claim the title. The Bobcats began the afternoon with a 54-50 victory over the host Crusaders. Barton then defeated Erskine 96-38 and the Crusaders took third with a consolation game win over Erksine, 53-23.

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High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series returns to Lees-McRae, kicks off with Reel Rock Film Festival

October 17, 2023 The High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series returns to Lees-McRae again this fall, kicking off with the Reel Rock climbing films as the first event of the semester on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. That evening, students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to gather at the Outdoor Amphitheater on South Campus at Grandfather Home to enjoy three exciting new films from Reel Rock Film Festival that are sure to deliver an adrenaline rush.

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