Lee University is a
private
Private or privates may refer to:
Music
* " In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation''
* Private (band), a Denmark-based band
* "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private'', written and also recorde ...
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι� ...
university in
Cleveland, Tennessee
Cleveland is the county seat of and largest city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 47,356 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Cleveland metropolitan area, Tennessee (consisting of Bradley and neig ...
. It was originally the Church of God Bible Training School, a small Bible institute founded in 1918 with twelve students and one teacher, Nora I. Chambers. The school grew and became Lee College, with a Bible college and junior college on its current site, in 1948. Twenty years later, Lee received accreditation by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is an educational accreditor recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This agency accredits over 13,000 public and priv ...
as a four-year liberal arts college. In 1997, Lee made the transition from college to comprehensive university.
The university is divided into six colleges and schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the Helen DeVos College of Education, the School of Business, the School of Music, the School of Nursing, and the School of Religion. The university also offers online degrees through the Division of Adult Learning. The university is named for F.J. Lee, its second president.
Lee is well known for its vocal programs and alumni. In 2009, Voices of Lee, the
a cappella
''A cappella'' (, also , ; ) music is a performance by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Ren ...
vocal ensemble directed by Danny Murray, competed on the first season of ''
The Sing-Off'', an a capella competition television show on
NBC, hosted by
Nick Lachey; they finished in third place. In addition, several alumni have found success in popular television singing competitions.
Phil Stacey
Joel Philip Stacey (born January 21, 1978) is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show ''American Idol''. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recor ...
finished in sixth place on season 6 of ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to ...
''. In May 2015,
Clark Beckham was runner-up on season 14 of ''American Idol'', and in that same year, alumnus
Jordan Smith won
season nine of NBC's ''
The Voice''. In December 2017,
Brooke Simpson placed third on the
thirteenth season of ''The Voice''. In January 2013, the Lee University Festival Choir, a special group composed of singers from each of the choral ensembles, performed at the inauguration of President
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...
in
Washington, D.C.
History
Lee University has seen its strongest growth since the 1980s, during which time enrollment quadrupled and full university status was attained. Lee's enrollment is 5,370 students, up from 960 in 1986 (as of fall 2013). This makes Lee the fifth largest undergraduate enrollment among the 103 Christian colleges who are member institutions of the
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) is a global organization of evangelical Christian colleges and universities. The headquarters is in Washington, D.C.
History
In 1976, presidents of colleges in the Christian College Co ...
. Students currently represent all 50 states and more than 50 countries. On average, Lee also accepts more than 200 transfer students each fall.
Lee University prohibits
homosexual
Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" to pe ...
relationships for students. The University filed an
amicus brief in favor of employment discrimination against LGBT people in the court case ''
Bostock v. Clayton County
''Bostock v. Clayton County'', , is a landmark United States Supreme Court civil rights case in which the Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees against discrimination because they are gay or transgender.
...
'' in 2019.
Presidents
*
Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson (1918–1922)
hurch of God General Overseer (1909–1923)/small>
* Flavius Josephus Lee (1922–1923) hurch of God General Overseer (1923–1928)/small>
* J.B. Ellis (1923–1924)
* T.S. Payne (1924–1930)
* J. Herbert Walker, Sr. (1930–1935) hurch of God General Overseer (1935–1944)/small>
* Zeno C. Tharp (1935–1944) hurch of God General Overseer (1952–1956)/small>
* J. Herbert Walker, Sr. (1944–1945)
* E.L. Simmons (1945–1948)
* J. Stewart Brinsfield (1948–1951)
* John C. Jernigan (1951–1952)
* R. Leonard Carroll, Sr. (1952–1957) hurch of God General Overseer (1970–1972)/small>
* R. L. Platt (1957–1960)
* Ray H. Hughes, Sr. (1960–1966) hurch of God General Overseer (1972–1974; 1978–1982; 1996)/small>
* James A. Cross (1966–1970) hurch of God General Overseer (1958–1962)/small>
* Charles W. Conn (1970–1982) hurch of God General Overseer (1966–1970)/small>
* Ray H. Hughes, Sr. (1982–1984)
* R. Lamar Vest (1984–1986) hurch of God General Overseer (1990–1994; 2000–2004)/small>
* Charles Paul Conn (1986–2020)
* Mark Walker (2020-current)
Academics
Academic programs
Lee University has a wide range of academic disciplines and extracurricular activities. Many activities, such as
chapel
A chapel is a Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. Firstly, smaller spaces inside a church that have their own altar are often called chapels; the Lady chapel is a common type ...
attendance (offered twice per week; students are required to attend 70% of services a month),
service requirements (10 hours per semester; 80 total hours to graduate), and the
study abroad
International students, or foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their tertiary education in a country other than their own and move to that country for the purpose of studying.
In 2019, there were over 6 million internati ...
program, called Global Perspectives, are required as part of degree programs. Exceptions and special cases are approved by the relevant academic
dean or the president of the university. All non-local entering
freshmen are also required to live on campus, with exceptions made for those who are married, divorced, widowed, parents, over age 21, part-time, or living locally with immediate relatives.
Entering freshmen choose their courses of study with guidance of a faculty adviser. New freshmen and transfer students with under 16 credit hours are required to take a course called Gateway to University Success, a one-semester special topics seminar that stresses methods of inquiry, critical analysis, and writing skills, which helps to transition the student to college life. The course is taught by a full-time faculty member and a student Peer Leader. Included in the general education core of all degrees is an emphasis in biblical and theological study.
Lee offers 50 majors with over 100 individual programs. Although the school is notable for its Christ-centered education,
communications
Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inquir ...
,
psychology
Psychology is the science, scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of consciousness, conscious and Unconscious mind, unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immens ...
,
pre-medicine
Pre-medical (often referred to as pre-med) is an educational track that undergraduate students in the United States pursue prior to becoming medical students. It involves activities that prepare a student for medical school, such as pre-med course ...
,
business
Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or buying and selling products (such as goods and services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for profit."
Having a business name does not separ ...
,
elementary education, and
music
Music is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. Exact definitions of music vary considerably around the world, though it is an aspe ...
are considered among its strongest specialties.
Reputation
Lee is accredited by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate and master's degrees. Professional and specialized accreditation have been achieved in the following areas: the School of Music is accredited by the
National Association of Schools of Music, the
Helen DeVos College of Education is accredited by the
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) was a professional accreditor focused on accrediting teacher education programs in U.S. colleges and universities. It was founded in 1954 and was recognized as an accreditor by ...
(NCATE), the School of Business is accredited by the
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), formerly the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, is a U.S. organization offering accreditation services to business programs focused on teaching and learn ...
(ACBSP), the School of Nursing is accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a nursing education accrediting agency in the United States. The CCNE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
CCNE accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process, and t ...
(CCNE), and the athletic training program has national accreditation in the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Athletics
The Lee athletic teams are called the Flames. The university is a member of the
Division II level of the
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges ...
(NCAA), primarily competing in the
Gulf South Conference
The Gulf South Conference (GSC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, which operates in the Southeastern United States.
History
Originally known as the M ...
(GSC) since the 2013–14 academic year. They were also a member of the
National Christian College Athletic Association
The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) is an association of Christian universities, colleges, and Bible colleges in the United States and Canada whose mission is "the promotion and enhancement of intercollegiate athleti ...
(NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the Mid-East Region of the Division I level. The Flames previously competed in the
Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC; formerly known as Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) until after the 2003–04 school year) of the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) established in 1940, is a college athletics association for colleges and universities in North America. Most colleges and universities in the NAIA offer athletic scholarships to its stu ...
(NAIA) from 2004–05 to 2012–13.
Lee competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis & track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Club sports are offered such as boxing, men's and women's rugby, spikeball and ultimate frisbee.
Student organizations
Lee features more than 100 student organizations, which include:
Spiritual
Backyard Ministries, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, Big Pal/Little Pal, Chattanooga Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, God's Own, Invisible Children, Invasion, Liturgical Charismatic Fellowship, Mission Alive, Outreaching Hands, Outstretched Arms, Pioneers for Christ
Diversity
Asian Council, Bahamian Connection, Black Student Union, Chinese Student Fellowship, Diversity Council, Leetinos, International Student Fellowship, Umoja, Lee University African Student Association, and Racial Justice Advocacy Club.
Greek Clubs
Upsilon Xi, Alpha Gamma Chi, Delta Zeta Tau, Sigma Nu Sigma, Pi Kappa Pi, Epsilon Lambda Phi, Theta Delta Kappa, Omega Alpha Phi, Tau Kappa Omega,
Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega () is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University on January 5, 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity fou ...
, Kappa Upsilon Chi
Social service organizations
Acting on Aids, Amnesty International, College Democrats, College Republicans, Family Life, International Justice Mission, Invisible Children, Women's Rugby, Fiber Arts Club/"Knit Wits," Student Leadership Council, Students for Life, Life423, Crossover, Lee Buddies, Big Pal Little Pal, SAAMS, Upsilon Xi, Delta Zeta Tau, Tau Kappa Omega, Omega Alpha Phi, Alpha Gamma Chi, Sigma Nu Sigma, Pi Kappa Pi, Epsilon Lambda Phi,
Theta Delta Kappa, Zeta Chi Lambda,
Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega () is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University on January 5, 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity fou ...
Academic
Academic Council, Anthropology Club, Art Club (CIVA), AACC (American Assoc. of Christian Counselors), Deutscher Klub (German Club), Financial Management Association International, Kairos Scholars Honors Program, Kappa Lambda Iota (Lee University Fellowship of Historians), Math Club, Model UN, Music Educators' National Conference, Philosophy Club,
Phi Beta Lambda
The Future Business Leaders of America, or FBLA, is an American career and technical student organization headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Established in 1940, FBLA is a non-profit organization of high school ("FBLA"), Middle Level ("FBLA ...
(Business Club), Public Relations Student Society of America, Society for Law and Justice, Sociology Club, Students National Assoc. of Teachers of Singing, Tri-Beta (Biology HS)
Honorary and service clubs
Alpha Chi,
Alpha Kappa Delta
Alpha Kappa Delta () is an international honor society of sociology. Alpha Kappa Delta is a non-secret, democratic organization founded in 1920 by Dr. Emory S. Bogardus. Alpha Kappa Delta has over 80,000 members and more than 490 chapters est ...
,
Alpha Phi Delta,
Alpha Psi Omega, Aria De Capo,
Delta Mu Delta
Delta Mu Delta () is an international honor society that recognizes academic excellence in Baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctorate degree business administration programs at Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)-accredited ...
, Iota Tau Zeta,
Kappa Delta Pi, Kappa Lambda Iota,
Lambda Pi Eta,
Phi Alpha Theta,
Phi Delta Psi,
Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Alpha Sigma, Pi Delta Gamma,
Phi Delta Phi,
Pi Kappa Lambda
Pi Kappa Lambda () is an American honor society for undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors of music. There are over 270 chapters nationally; a complete roster of current chapters is listed in the organization's official web ...
,
Pi Sigma Alpha,
Psi Chi,
Sigma Alpha Iota,
Sigma Delta Pi,
Sigma Tau Delta,
Theta Delta Kappa
Campus
Lee University is located in the town of
Cleveland, Tennessee
Cleveland is the county seat of and largest city in Bradley County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 47,356 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Cleveland metropolitan area, Tennessee (consisting of Bradley and neig ...
, which lies between
Chattanooga
Chattanooga ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. Located along the Tennessee River bordering Georgia, it also extends into Marion County on its western end. With a population of 181,099 in 2020, ...
and
Knoxville. Cleveland is located near the
Ocoee River, the site of the
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...
whitewater events, the
Smoky Mountains, and the popular
Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. It is located southeast of Knoxville and had a population of 3,944 at the 2010 Census and a U.S. Census population of 3,577 in 2020. It is a popular vacation res ...
area.
This location had long been the site of church-affiliated schools. Centenary College was founded in 1884 to honor the "centenary" of American Methodism. Located on part of the present campus, that school closed in 1929, and in 1933 its property was sold to Bob Jones College, an interdenominational college which had previously been in Florida. When that school moved to South Carolina in 1947, the property was once again sold, and the Church of God became its new owner with Lee College and now, Lee University occupying the original and much expanded area.
The campus consists of academic buildings, residence halls, athletic and recreational facilities, dining services, administrative offices, parks and green spaces, a pedestrian mall, Campus Safety facilities, music performance spaces, and other facilities. Many building projects have been undertaken in recent years, including a new
humanities
Humanities are academic disciplines that study aspects of human society and culture. In the Renaissance, the term contrasted with divinity and referred to what is now called classics, the main area of secular study in universities at t ...
center (2004), a new
religion
Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatur ...
building (2008), a new state of the art
science
Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence ...
building (2009), a new
chapel
A chapel is a Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. Firstly, smaller spaces inside a church that have their own altar are often called chapels; the Lady chapel is a common type ...
(2011), a new communications building (2014), a new School of Nursing building (2016), and a new School of Business (2017). The campus also features articulate landscaping and many benches and areas for students. The
sidewalks are
handicap accessible.
Campus buildings
''Note: Dates of construction given when known''
File:Science and Math Complex.jpg, Science and Math Complex (2010)
File:School of Religion.jpg, School of Religion (2008)
File:Leonard Center.jpg, Leonard Center (2007)
File:Humanities Center.jpg, Center for the Humanities (2004)
File:Athletic Training Facility.jpg, McKenzie Athletic Building (2002)
File:Paul Conn Student Union PCSU.jpg, Paul Conn Student Union (2000)
File:DeVos College of Education.jpg, Helen DeVos College of Education (1998)
File:Deacon Jones Dining Hall.jpg, Deacon Jones Dining Hall (1996)
File:Curtsinger Music Building.jpg, Curtsinger Music Building (1995)
File:DeVos Recreation Center.jpg, DeVos Recreation Center (1993)
File:Dixon Center.jpg, Dixon Center (1992)
File:Watkins Building.jpg, Watkins Building (1992)
File:DeVos Tennis Center.jpg, DeVos Tennis Center (1988)
File:Squires Library.jpg, Squires Library (1984)
File:Walker Arena.jpg, Paul Dana Walker Arena (1983)
File:Conn Center.jpg, Conn Center (1977)
File:Higginbotham Administration.jpg, Higginbotham Administration Building (1964)
File:Walker Memorial.jpg, Walker Memorial Building (1945)
File:Vest Building.jpg, Vest Building (1939)
File:Mayfield Annex.jpg, Mayfield Annex (1928)
Residence halls
*Atkins-Ellis Hall (1994) – female residence hall built after Ellis Hall fire
*B.L. Hicks Hall (1996) – male apartment residence hall
*Bowdle-O'Bannon Hall (2002) – male residence hall connected by an atrium
*Brinsfield Row East (2003) – female apartments named after former president J. Stewart Brinsfield; expanded in 2004 and 2008
*Brinsfield Row West (2003) – male apartments named after former president J. Stewart Brinsfield; expanded in 2004 and 2008
*Carroll Court (1973) – married apartment residence hall named after former president R. Leonard Carroll
*Cross Hall (1969) – female residence hall named after former president James A. Cross
*Keeble Hall (1999) – female apartment residence hall
*Livingston East (2011) – female townhouse residence hall
*Livingston Hall (1995) – female apartment residence hall
*Medlin Hall (1930s) – male residence hall (formerly Walker Hall and Memorial Hall) where
Billy Graham lived during his time as a student when
Bob Jones University owned the campus.
*New Hughes Hall (2011) – female residence hall named in memory of former President Ray H. Hughes
*Nora Chambers Hall (1930s) – female residence hall connected to Simmons and Tharp Halls; renovated in 1994
*Sharp-Davis Hall (1990) – female residence hall
*Simmons Hall (1930s) – female residence hall connected to Nora Chambers Hall; renovated in 1981
*Storms Hall (2000) – female apartment residence hall
*Tharp Hall (1930s) – female residence hall connected to Nora Chambers; renovated in 1981
Other buildings
*Admissions House – located in a historic house on Ocoee Street
*Centenary Building – oldest building on campus, formerly women's dormitory East Wing Hall and Student Center, home to administrative offices in conjunction with the Higginbotham Administration Building
*Chapel (2011) – worship, performance, and special event space
*Forum (2017) – located on Church Street, tallest building on campus, gathering place for students
*Pangle Hall – located on Church Street, formerly the First Baptist Church of Cleveland property before renovation in 2014
*Pressley Maintenance Building (1987) – Physical Plant headquarters
*School of Nursing (2016) - located on Parker Street
*The Forum (2017) - located on Church Street
*School of Business (2018) – located on Central Avenue
*Watkins Building – houses Center for Calling and Career and Counseling Center
Former buildings
*Beach Science Building (1965) – demolished in 2009 to make way for new science building
*Ellis Hall (1941) – destroyed by arson in November 1993
*Hughes Hall (1968) – male residence hall named after former president Ray H. Hughes, demolished in 2010 to make way for the Math & Science Complex
*Old Main – oldest building on campus before demolition in 1962
Social Activities
Community covenant
Lee University, like many faith-based colleges and universities, encourages a Christian philosophy of student behavior based on Biblical teachings. All students are asked to sign a "Community Covenant" which lists several restrictions on behaviors and social interaction according to the school's institutional and religious policy. Most notable are a substance policy barring alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs; and its stance on homosexuality, which is banned in all forms. Men's and women's dormitories are kept separate, and premarital sexual intercourse is prohibited regardless of sexual preference. Immodesty and "occult practices" are also forbidden.
Greek organizations
Like many colleges and universities in the U.S., Lee University students have the opportunity to participate in Greek organizations for the purpose of serving the community, bettering the campus and building social and professional relationships. Many of the Greek organizations on Lee University's campus are neither national nor recognized as fraternities or sororities, and are instead colloquially referred to as "Greek clubs." There are currently only two nationally affiliated social fraternities at Lee University,
Phi Mu Alpha and Kappa Upsilon Chi.
Sigma Alpha Omega
Sigma Alpha Omega () is an American non-denominational Christian sorority for women, founded at North Carolina State University on January 5, 1998. However, they can trace their roots back to the once co-educational Chi Alpha Omega fraternity fou ...
is currently the only nationally affiliated sorority on campus.
Campus Events
*Dorm Wars is a Res Life event that takes place annually in the Walker Arena. This event pits each dorm against the other in a series of mental and physical events. Each dorm is supporting their own charity and the winning residence halls receive a donation to the charity that they represent. The night begins with introduction dances and progresses into three activities. The first activity is a mystery relay race, the second is a shopping cart race, and the final event is the obstacle course.
*Great Strides is an annual race that brings together students and community members to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). Great Strides is a national fundraiser and the largest fundraiser for the CFF.
*Culture Fest is another annual event at Lee. This event is a celebration of culture, global connection, and student community. Cultures are celebrated with music and discussion. Different unions and councils are represented such as the Black Student Union, Asian Council, LUUSA, ISF, and the BCC.
*Ask Your President Chapel normally occurs in the second semester where the university's president takes the stage and answers questions that the students submit weeks prior. President Paul Conn states that “Lee is a place where we listen to students.” During these chapels, Conn tends to make many changes that the students request.
*Worthy Now is an event started by student leaders at Lee that focuses on women but also encourages men to participate. They strive to tell women they are not worthy when they achieve, but rather they are worthy now, hence the name. The name is derived from an idea by Brené Brown.
"Tunnels of Oppression"
In 2017, Lee University sponsored its annual "Tunnels of Oppression" event, whereby students were subjected to simulated acts of misogyny and racism so they could "recognize their own privilege." Students were led on an interactive tour which "exposes them to a different type of oppression in each room", including sexual, racial, societal and mental oppression.
Publications
*The ''Vindagua'' is Lee University's award-winning yearbook-turned-magazine. In 2017, former editor Cariann Bradley transitioned the publication from yearbook to lifestyle magazine after 75 years. The goal of the publication is to further connect with the student body and Cleveland community. President Paul Conn is a notable former editor.
*''The Torch'' is the university's quarterly magazine highlighting current events at Lee, as well as faculty members, students and alumni.
*The ''Lee Clarion'' is the campus newspaper.
*The ''Lee Review'' is the campus literary journal.
*The ''Burgundy and Blue'' is an online news publication for alumni.
Notable alumni
*
Candace Barley – youngest player to compete on the US national rugby team and play in international match; most-
capped U20 player in the country
*
Clark Beckham – runner-up of
season 14 of ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to ...
''
*
Kevin Brooks– mayor of Cleveland and former state representative for Tennessee district 24.
*
Nathan Chapman – Grammy award-winning
record producer
A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...
*
Charles Paul Conn – president of Lee University (1986–2020)
*
Charles W. Conn – former Lee president and president emeritus; author of ''Like a Mighty Army, Moves the Church of God'', the official history of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) denomination; served as editor-in-chief of
Pathway Press and General Overseer of the Church of God
*
Christian A. Coomer – state representative from Georgia's 14th district, then judge of the
Georgia Court of Appeals
*
Raymond Culpepper – former General Overseer of the Church of God
*
Jay DeMarcus – multi-instrumentalist/vocalist in the contemporary country band
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band founded in 1999. The band members were Gary LeVox (lead vocals), Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, background vocals), and Joe Don Rooney (lead guitar, background vocals). DeMarcus is LeVox's second cou ...
*
Four Voices
Four Voices is a barbershop quartet based in Tennessee. After winning the SPEBSQSA Collegiate Barbershop Quartet Championship in 1996, Four Voices went on to become international champions in 2002.
The quartet's sound is distinguished by its te ...
– 2002
world champion barbershop quartet
*
Mark Harris – contemporary Christian soloist and member of
4 Him
4Him was a contemporary Christian group founded in 1990 in Mobile, Alabama, US. The group has ten Dove awards, a Grammy nomination and three certified gold albums to their credit. The group was inducted into Alabama's Music Hall of Fame, followi ...
*
Dan Howell
Daniel James Howell (born 11 June 1991) is an English YouTuber, presenter, comedian and author. He gained prominence through his YouTube channels ''Daniel Howell'' (formerly known as ''danisnotonfire''), which reached over six million subscrib ...
– member of the
Tennessee House of Representatives.
*
Marcus Lamb
Marcus Daron Lamb (October 7, 1957 – November 30, 2021) was an American televangelist, prosperity theologian, minister, Christian broadcaster, and anti-vaccine advocate. He was the co-founder, president, and CEO of the Daystar Television Net ...
- founder of
Daystar Television Network
*
Ben Lobb
Benjamin T. Lobb (born September 10, 1976) is a Canadian politician, who represents the federal riding of Huron-Bruce in the House of Commons. He is a member of the Conservative Party.
Early life
Ben Lobb attended Lee University in Clevelan ...
– Canadian politician (
Conservative Member of Parliament)
*
Micah Massey
Micah Andrew Massey (born June 30, 1987) is an American Christian musician and worship leader, who is mainly a songwriter, guitarist, and composer. He has won a Grammy Award at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, with Israel Houghton.
Early and perso ...
– tied Grammy winner for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song "Your Presence is Heaven" with
Israel Houghton
*
G. Dennis McGuire – former General Overseer of the Church of God
*
Stanley Nyazamba – former Columbus Crew soccer player
*
Ricardo Pierre-Louis – former MLS soccer player drafted in the second round (22nd overall) in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer
*
Barney Smith - museum curator
*
Brooke Simpson – finalist on
season 13 of ''The Voice''
*
Jordan Smith – winner of
season 9 of ''
The Voice''
*
Phil Stacey
Joel Philip Stacey (born January 21, 1978) is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show ''American Idol''. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recor ...
– ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to ...
'' finalist during the sixth season; tied for fifth place
*
Scott Stapp – lead singer of the band
Creed
A creed, also known as a confession of faith, a symbol, or a statement of faith, is a statement of the shared beliefs of a community (often a religious community) in a form which is structured by subjects which summarize its core tenets.
The ea ...
; kicked out of Lee for the use of marijuana (early 1990s)
*
Todd Starnes – right-wing radio host based in Memphis
*
John Christopher Thomas – New Testament scholar, former President of the
Society for Pentecostal Studies The Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) is an American scholarly association of biblical scholars, theologians, and others who are members of Pentecostal churches or are involved in the Charismatic Renewal. It was founded in 1970. The members o ...
, editor of the ''
Journal of Pentecostal Theology
The ''Journal of Pentecostal Theology'' is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering theological research from a Pentecostal perspective. It was established at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and is maintained by the Center for Pentecostal ...
'', author of eight books and many scholarly articles.
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Lance Zawadzki
Lance Frederick Zawadzki (born May 26, 1985) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2010. Since 2018, he has been a minor league coach in the Boston Red Sox organ ...
–
San Diego Padres 2007 draft pick, shortstop
References
External links
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Official athletics website
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Private universities and colleges in Tennessee
Universities and colleges affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)
Educational institutions established in 1918
Cleveland, Tennessee
Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Education in Bradley County, Tennessee
Buildings and structures in Bradley County, Tennessee
Evangelicalism in Tennessee
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
1918 establishments in Tennessee
Pentecostalism in Tennessee