Lee University

Short description: Private university in Cleveland, Tennessee, U.S.

Lee University

Former name

| Church of God Bible Training School (1918–1948)
Lee College (1948–1997)
Motto| "Where Christ is King"[1]
Type| Private university
Established| 1918[2]

Religious affiliation

| Church of God
Endowment| United States dollar 18.6 million (2015)[3]
President| Mark L. Walker
Students| 3,927 (fall 2022)[2]
Location|

Cleveland, Tennessee

[ ⚑ ] : 35°09′57″N 84°52′16″W﻿ / ﻿35.16583°N 84.87111°W﻿ / 35.16583; -84.87111
Campus| Suburban, 130 acres (53 ha)[citation needed]
Newspaper| Lee Clarion
|u}}rs|  Burgundy and navy blue
Nickname| Flames
Mascot| Flames[4]
Website| www.leeuniversity.edu

Lee University is a private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee. 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.[5] 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 as a four-year liberal arts college. In 1997, Lee became a university; it now offers master's degrees as well as undergraduate degrees.[6]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Presidents
* 2 Academics
* 2.1 Academic programs
* 3 Athletics
* 4 Campus
* 4.1 Gallery
* 5 Student life
* 5.1 Community covenant
* 5.2 Greek organizations
* 5.3 Publications
* 6 Student body
* 7 Notable alumni
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## History

The birthplace of what is now Lee University was a single room in the Church of God Publishing House.

The University filed an amicus brief in favor of employment discrimination against LGBT people in the court case Bostock v. Clayton County in 2019.[7]

### Presidents

* Ambrose Jessup Tomlinson (1918–1922) [Church of God General Overseer (1909–1923)]
* Flavius Josephus Lee (1922–1923) [Church of God General Overseer (1923–1928)]
* J.B. Ellis (1923–1924)
* T.S. Payne (1924–1930)
* J. Herbert Walker, Sr. (1930–1935) [Church of God General Overseer (1935–1944)]
* Zeno C. Tharp (1935–1944) [Church of God General Overseer (1952–1956)]
* 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) [Church of God General Overseer (1970–1972)]
* R. L. Platt (1957–1960)
* Ray H. Hughes, Sr. (1960–1966) [Church of God General Overseer (1972–1974; 1978–1982; 1996)]
* James A. Cross (1966–1970) [Church of God General Overseer (1958–1962)]
* Charles W. Conn (1970–1982) [Church of God General Overseer (1966–1970)]
* Ray H. Hughes, Sr. (1982–1984)
* R. Lamar Vest (1984–1986) [Church of God General Overseer (1990–1994; 2000–2004)]
* Charles Paul Conn (1986–2020)
* Mark Walker (2020-current)[8]

## Academics

University rankings

Regional
U.S. News & World Report[9] | 31 of 123
Master's University class
Washington Monthly[10] | 410 of 604

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 Theology and Ministry.[11]

### Academic programs

Many co-curricular activities, such as chapel 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 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.[12]

## 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 (NCAA), primarily competing in the Gulf South Conference (GSC) since the 2013–14 academic year.

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.

## Campus

Lee University is located in the town of Cleveland, Tennessee, which lies between Chattanooga and Knoxville.

### Gallery

Note: Dates of construction given when known[citation needed]

* Forum (2017)

* School of Nursing (2016)

* Communications Building (2014)

* Chapel (2011)

* Science and Math Complex (2010)

* School of Religion (2008)

* Leonard Center (2007)

* Center for the Humanities (2004)

* McKenzie Athletic Building (2002)

* Paul Conn Student Union (2000)

* Helen DeVos College of Education (1998)

* Deacon Jones Dining Hall (1996)

* Curtsinger Music Building (1995)

* DeVos Recreation Center (1993)

* Dixon Center (1992)

* Watkins Building (1992)

* DeVos Tennis Center (1988)

* Squires Library (1984)

* Paul Dana Walker Arena (1983)

* Conn Center (1977)

* Pangle Hall (1967)

* Higginbotham Administration Building (1964)

* Walker Memorial Building (1945)

* Vest Building (1939)

* Mayfield Annex (1928)

## Student life

### Community covenant

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. Immodesty and "occult practices" are also forbidden.[13]

Lee University prohibits homosexual relationships for students.[14]

### Greek organizations

As of 2008, the university recognized ten Greek-letter organizations.[15]

### Publications

Lee University's student newspaper, the Lee Clarion, is published during the academic school year.

* The Lee Clarion is the campus newspaper.[16]

## Student body

Lee's enrollment is 5,370 students, up from 960 in 1986[17] (as of fall 2013)

## 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[18]
* Kevin Brooks – mayor of Cleveland and former state representative for Tennessee district 24.[19]
* Nathan Chapman – Grammy award-winning record producer[20]
* Charles Paul Conn – president of Lee University (1986–2020)
* Charles W. Conn – former Lee president, 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[21]
* Raymond Culpepper – former General Overseer of the Church of God
* Jay DeMarcus – multi-instrumentalist/vocalist for Rascal Flatts
* Four Voices – 2002 world champion barbershop quartet
* Mark Harris – contemporary Christian soloist and member of 4 Him
* Dan Howell – member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
* Marcus Lamb – founder of Daystar Television Network[22]
* Ben Lobb – Canadian politician (Conservative Member of Parliament)
* Dr. J. Adam Lowe – Author and member of the Tennessee State Senate.
* Micah Massey – tied Grammy winner for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song "Your Presence is Heaven" with Israel Houghton[23]
* G. Dennis McGuire – former General Overseer of the Church of God
* Stanley Nyazamba – former Columbus Crew soccer player
* Eric Phillips - current representative for the 48th District in the Virginia House of Delegates
* 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[24]
* Jordan Smith – winner of season 9 of The Voice[25]
* Phil Stacey – American Idol finalist during the sixth season; tied for fifth place[26]
* Scott Stapp – lead singer of the band Creed; kicked out of Lee for the use of marijuana (early 1990s)
* Todd Starnes – Fox News columnist and radio host
* Perry Stone (minister) – evangelist and author
* John Christopher Thomas – New Testament scholar, former President of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, editor of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology, author of eight books and many scholarly articles.[27]
* Lance Zawadzki – San Diego Padres 2007 draft pick, shortstop[28]

## References

1. ↑ "Lee University". 13 February 2013. http://www.leeuniversity.edu/home.aspx.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Lee University Quick Facts". Lee University. https://www.leeuniversity.edu/about/quick-facts/.
3. ↑ "Lee University". U.S. News & World Report. n.d.. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/lee-university-3500.
4. ↑ "Quick Facts". Lee University. http://leeuniversity.edu/publications/quick-facts.aspx.
5. ↑ Hyatt, Susan Stubbs (2022). In the Spirit We're Equal (2nd ed.). Grapevine, TX, USA: Hyatt Press. pp. 328. ISBN 978-1-888435-76-4.
6. ↑ Lee to Celebrate Centennial, Lee University (January 1, 2018).
7. ↑ Ludlow, Naomi (October 28, 2021). "These are the 'worst, most unsafe' campuses for LGBTQ students to attend". USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/10/27/lgbtq-students-these-us-colleges-worst-most-unsafe-attend/8542486002.
8. ↑ "Lee University". https://www.leeuniversity.edu/NewsItem.aspx?id=17061&searchtag=2147483650.
9. ↑ "Best Colleges 2021: Regional Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/regional-universities.
10. ↑ "2020 Rankings -- Masters Universities". Washington Monthly. https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020college-guide/masters.
11. ↑ "Academics". Lee University. https://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/.
12. ↑ "Archived copy". http://web.leeuniversity.edu/pdf/residential-life/off-campus-application.pdf.
13. ↑ "Community Covenant". http://www.leeuniversity.edu/pdf/newstudents/gateway-portfolio/014-community-covenant.pdf.
14. ↑ Redden, Elizabeth (March 26, 2021). "'Harmful to Queer Students'". Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/03/26/alumni-speak-out-after-lee-president-affirms-christian-university’s-stance-lgbtq.
15. ↑ "Lee University – Cleveland, TN – Temporary Outage". Students.leeuniversity.edu. http://students.leeuniversity.edu/info/student-life/clubs/greek.asp.
16. ↑ "Lee Clarion". LeeClarion.com. http://leeclarion.com.
17. ↑ "Lee University- Publications". Leeuniversity.edu. http://www.leeuniversity.edu/publications/quick-facts.aspx.
18. ↑ "Clark Beckham". Lee University. http://leeuniversity.edu/experience/clark-beckham.aspx.
19. ↑ "Tennessee General Assembly Main Page". Legislature.state.tn.us. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/house/members/h24.htm.
20. ↑ "Lee Alumnus Nathan Chapman Stands Out In The Country Music Business – 12/09/2009". Chattanoogan.com. http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_164648.asp.
21. ↑ http://www.house.ga.gov/Documents/Biographies/coomerChristian.pdf [bare URL PDF]
22. ↑ [1]
23. ↑ "Lee University's Micah Massey wins Grammy in tie for best contemporary Christian music song". 2013-02-11. http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/feb/11/lee-universitys-micah-massey-wins-tie-grammy-best-/.
24. ↑ "Brooke Simpson - NBC.com". https://www.nbc.com/the-voice/credits/credit/season-13/brooke-simpson.
25. ↑ Hetter, Katia (December 16, 2015). "Fan favorite Jordan Smith wins 'The Voice'". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/16/entertainment/the-voice-winner-jordan-smith-season-9-finale-feat/.
26. ↑ "American Idol Season Six Top 24 Contestant Phil Stacey". Americanidol.com. http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season6/phil_stacey/.
27. ↑ Charette, Blaine; Waddell, Robby (2020) (in English). Spirit and Story: Pentecostal Readings of Scripture. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Phoenix Press. pp. 1–18. ISBN 9781910928691.
28. ↑ "Zawadzki First Flame to Reach the Majors". 2010-04-30. http://www.leeuniversity.edu/goleeflames/baseball/newsDetails.aspx?Channel=/Channels/Athletics+Content&WorkflowItemID=02bac22c-65f7-4e17-a9d2-4b346cc69e9d.

## External links

* Official athletics website

* v
* t
* e

Private colleges and universities in Tennessee

* American Baptist College
* Aquinas College
* The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville
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* Belmont University
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* Fisk University
* Freed-Hardeman University
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* Welch College
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* v
* t
* e

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* Abilene Christian
* Anderson (Indiana)
* Anderson (South Carolina)
* Asbury
* Azusa Pacific
* Belhaven
* Bethel College
* Bethel University
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* Concordia–Irvine
* Concordia-Wisconsin
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* Covenant
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* Eastern
* Emmanuel
* Erskine
* Evangel
* Faulkner
* Fresno Pacific
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* Gordon
* Grace
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* Hardin–Simmons
* Hope International
* Houghton
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* Howard Payne
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* North Greenville
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* Oral Roberts
* Ozark Christian
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* Sioux Falls (USF)
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* Vanguard
* Warner
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* Wheaton
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