Lee University Unveils Plans for Centennial Commemoration
Cleveland, TN–Lee University will celebrate its centennial anniversary throughout the 2018 year.
The major institutional milestone will be commemorated by the school starting this month and continuing until the culminating event called Celebration, which will take place Homecoming Weekend, Nov. 2-3, 2018.
“In the life of a university, a 100th anniversary is as big as it gets,” said Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn. “This is certainly true of Lee. We have a story worth celebrating, and we look forward to doing it all year with friends and supporters.”
The institution now known as Lee University began on the morning of Jan. 1, 1918. At precisely 9:30 a.m., the first instructor, a woman named Nora Chambers, rang a small bell and called to order the first class of 11 members. The group was gathered in a second-story room located at 2524 Gaut St. in Cleveland. The name of the institution at the time was the Church of God Bible Training School.
Thirty years later, in 1938, the school relocated to Sevierville, before then returning to Cleveland in 1947 to its current location. In 1968, Lee became a four-year liberal arts college and in 1997, a university. Today, Lee University is listed as a top-tier Master’s Degree University with more than 5,000 students.
“To say Lee has come a long way in 100 years might be an understatement,” said Vice President for University Relations Dr. Jerome Hammond. “The 100-year story is an improbable one that includes a few twists and turns. We’re really looking forward to celebrating all of it this year.”
Chairman of the Centennial Committee and Vice President for Institutional Research Dr. Jayson VanHook, said the yearlong celebration will include events for students, alumni, faculty, community members, friends and supporters.
“The committee has designed a broad schedule of events that embraces all of the important partnerships in Lee’s 100-year history,” explained VanHook. “The Cleveland community is obviously near the top of that list.”
VanHook said the schedule of events will be communicated throughout the year.
“Our plan is to unfold these events and celebrations as we go, ending with the Celebration event in November,” VanHook said.
The university opened the year yesterday with a social-media celebration and a brief video focusing on the first day on classes at BTS on January 1, 1918. Visit www.leeuniversity.edu to view and to learn more.
(Source: Lee University)
