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University of Lynchburg is a private, independent, residential college located in Lynchburg, Virginia. A Christian institution, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), University of Lynchburg is one of the oldest coeducational institutions in the state of Virginia, having been established in 1903 by Dr. Josephus Hopwood, a pioneer in Christian coeducation. Students of all faiths and denominations are welcomed at University of Lynchburg and the school has earned a national reputation for the quality educational opportunities it offers and the emphasis placed on building students’ character and leadership abilities. Named a Military Friendly School, University of Lynchburg has received several notable recognitions from names such as US News & World Report and The Princeton Review.
Academic Programs
The mission of University of Lynchburg is “to develop students with strong character and balanced perspectives and to prepare them for engagement in a global society and for effective leadership in the civic, professional, and spiritual dimensions of life.” Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1927, University of Lynchburg offers at least 40 undergraduate majors and over 50 minors, as well as more than a dozen pre-professional programs. The College also offers nearly twenty Master’s degree programs in a variety of areas and two doctoral programs, specifically a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies.Additional programs offered by University of Lynchburg include the Westovers Honors Program; Study Abroad; Internships; Outdoor Leadership Program; and the Bonner Leader Program. The College also offers students the opportunity to learn and study at the Claytor Nature Study Center in Bedford County. A 470 acre outdoor classroom and laboratory, the Claytor Nature Study Center is dedicated to the “study and appreciation of the natural environment”. Facilities at the Center included the A. Boyd Claytor III Education and Research Facility; Belk Astronomical Observatory; Cloverlea, an antebellum farmhouse with landscaped gardens; an abundance of natural features; and the Chandler Eco-Lodge.
Student Life
University of Lynchburg has a total enrollment figure of nearly 3,000, including more than 2,000 undergraduate students. The male to female ratio is split roughly 40% to 60%, respectively, with a multicultural representation of more than 20%. Approximately three-fourths of students choose to live on campus in one of University of Lynchburg’s traditional residence halls, townhouses and apartments. In addition, University of Lynchburg also owns over 70 houses around the college which are reserved for students’ use, based on GPA and seniority.University of Lynchburg’s students remain active through involvement in more than 80 clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities and approximately 70% of all students participate in at least one sport, including varsity, intramural, and club sports. An NCAA Division III school, University of Lynchburg offers over 20 athletic programs which compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The College boasts nearly 200 ODAC titles and has produced more than 240 All-Americans. University of Lynchburg athletic facilities include the Shellenberger Field, which was named for the College’s legendary soccer coach and is considered state-of-the-art with artificial turf, an eight-lane track, night lighting, and a 3,000-spectator capacity stadium.