Lee University Begins Falls Semester
Cleveland, TN–Hundreds of freshmen and transfer students filled the campus of Lee University over the weekend in preparation for the fall 2016 semester which began today, August 24.
A near record of freshman and first-time on-campus students is expected to enroll at the Church of God’s premier educational institution, which last fall had an enrollment of over 5,000 total students. This is the 99th academic year for Lee University which began on January 1, 1918 as Bible training School.
Freshmen began arriving over the weekend for a variety of activities, including Check-in Day and New Student Orientation beginning on Friday, August 19. The weekend included meetings with parents, class scheduling, moving into the residence halls, and a service of dedication held Saturday evening with Lee president Dr. Paul Conn. On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of new students gathered for “Deke Day,” a traditional day of service in Cleveland and the surrounding area. Students visited nursing homes, performed service projects and reached out to local ministries in a preview of the required service learning aspect of their Lee University experience.
On Monday and Tuesday, all students confirmed class schedules through registration and upperclassmen moved into residence halls.
Over the summer construction on the Lee campus was intense, particularly on the south side of the campus where a new $10 million School of Nursing was completed. On the east side several new parking areas were added and green space was created when portions of 5th, 6th and Trunk streets were removed following a vote of the Cleveland City Council earlier this year. Construction continues on the complete renovation of the former First Baptist Church campus, acquired by Lee University in 2010. Since then the former sanctuary has been converted to a performance hall, the parking area is now an athletic field and the location of the School of Nursing, and the educational wing is being renovated into classroom space.
Lee University will conduct a weekend of dedication and recognition called ‘Celebration 2016,’ which will take place on Friday, September 30.
