The University of Lynchburg is a nationally recognized private university where students gain a greater heart for humanity and a mindset of individual growth. Here, thought-provoking learning ignites change in each individual, and the world.
U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review recognize us as one of the best institutions of higher education in the nation. Meanwhile, we’re one of a select few “Colleges that Change Lives.”
Our Story
We were founded in 1903, when a handful of professors instructed fewer than 60 students in the halls of a former resort hotel. There were eight people in the first graduating class.
Since then, we’ve grown as a community and as a university. We have over 2,500 students and more than 20,000 alumni around the world. We evolved from a small liberal arts college to a comprehensive university. At every turn, we ask ourselves: How can we best serve our students?
In turn, we ask our students: How can you best serve the world?
Learning
The University of Lynchburg is the natural choice for students who want to learn more about the world and about themselves. Here, students are encouraged to share their perspectives and consider other points of view not as an afterthought, but as the first step toward greater knowledge. In short, we won’t tell you what to think. We teach you how to think for yourself.
We are our students’ biggest fans. And we show that through a steadfast exchange of inquiry and insight grounded in the liberal arts. We combine traditional classroom instruction with experiential learning and real-world applications bringing a hands-on, multifaceted approach that serves our students best today and for the rest of their lives.
Balance
University of Lynchburg students develop personal talents, knowledge, and skills. They’re prepared for a career, but they also learn how to advocate for themselves and others. In other words, they’re prepared for life. That’s because our progress as a university revolves around their progress as individuals and the progress of the world. Knowledge plus character equals a better world.
Our faculty are devoted to scholarship within their fields of study, but they’re equally devoted to developing their students’ potential as scholars and citizens. They tailor the educational experience to each students’ needs. Study abroad, internships, research projects, and a design-your-own major option are just a few ways. They help students stretch themselves to become more of who they are, and more of who they want to be.
Community
At Lynchburg, we cultivate a culture of kindness and philanthropy — on campus, in the local community, and in the broader world. We give of our resources, our talents, and our time, and we’re passionate about making the University and the world a better place than it was when we found it.
We’re a tight-knit community that’s accepting and inviting. We’re socially responsible and active, and don’t hesitate to stand up and speak out for what’s just and right. Pride and belonging are important at Lynchburg. Everyone has a niche, a club, a team, or a group of friends, but when it comes down to it, we’re all Hornets.
Athletics
We have a long history of athletic excellence — more than 100 years, nearly 200 conference titles, and more than 240 All-Americans. In 2014, our women’s soccer team won the NCAA Division III championship — the first team national championship in the history of the institution.
Our intercollegiate athletic program includes 25 teams (12 men’s and 13 women’s) in NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Our equestrian team competes in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (winning a title in 2022), in addition to the ODAC.
Lynchburg students can also play a variety of intramural and club sports.
Notable Alumni
You may not know their names, but you know their work. Our alumni work around the world. Here are just a few.
- Kevin Scott ’94: Microsoft CTO, “The engineer who saved LinkedIn”
- Setsuko Thurlow ’55: Accepted Nobel Peace Prize for nuclear disarmament movement
- Joan Foster ’69, ’70 MAT, ’85 MEd: Former mayor of Lynchburg, Virginia
- Jonathan Sobel ’18 DMSc: Northwell Health VP of strategic workforce planning
- Jim Bibby ’77: Legendary major league pitcher
- Deirdre Quinn ’93: Miss Texas from “Miss Congeniality”
- Bob Duff ’93: Connecticut Senate Majority Leader
- Emily Brown ’02: USA Today deputy managing editor, digital platforms
- Francessca Vasquez ’00: Amazon Web Services VP of technology
Our Values
- Academic rigor
- Active learning
- Commitment to success
- Integrity
- Diversity
- Community
- Wellness
- Sustainability
