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Lee University

Cleveland, TN

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

"Where Christ is King"

1918
Founded
Private university
Type
2,712
Total Students
$33M
Endowment
(2024)
$23K
Tuition (In-State)
$23K
Tuition (Out-State)
$20K
Avg Net Price
72%
Acceptance Rate
61%
Graduation Rate
6-year
81%
Retention Rate
Master's Colleges & Universities
Classification
President: Phil Cook

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Lee University

Lee University: A private Christian institution nurturing minds and spirits since 1918.

Lee University, a private institution founded in 1918, stands as a testament to its enduring motto, "Where Christ is King." With a vibrant student body of 3,680, Lee offers a distinctive educational experience rooted in its spiritual heritage. Initially established as a Bible training school by the Church of God, it has grown significantly while maintaining its core mission of integrating faith and learning.

The university's history is deeply intertwined with the Church of God, beginning its first term in 1918 in the Church's publishing house with just one teacher and twelve students. Its campus in Cleveland, Tennessee, holds historical significance, with parts of the original Centenary College and Music School, dating back to 1885, still standing today as part of Lee's administrative building. This rich past reflects a journey of expansion and dedication to educational excellence.

Over the decades, Lee University broadened its academic offerings, adding a high school, a school of business, and a school of music by 1930. It further evolved to include a two-year junior-college in 1941, focusing on teacher training and business education. Beyond academics, Lee has fostered a vibrant student life, with intramural athletics taking root in the 1940s and student publications like the "Vindagua" yearbook and "Clarion" newspaper beginning in the mid-1940s. Students here find an engaging environment that supports holistic growth, blending academic rigor with spiritual development and community involvement.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1918 as a Bible training school by the Church of God.
  • A private university guided by the motto, "Where Christ is King."
  • Home to 3,680 students, fostering a close-knit academic and spiritual community.
  • Initially began with 12 students and a tuition of $1 per week.
  • Expanded curriculum by 1930 to include a high school, school of business, and school of music.
  • Pioneered student life initiatives like intramural athletics (1940s) and student publications (1940s).

Timeline

1885
Current campus originally housed Centenary College and Music School.
1911
Church of God appointed a committee to establish a Bible training school.
1918
First term of the Bible training school began with 12 students.
1930
Institution added a high school, school of business, and school of music.
1937
Constructed its first building, a women's dormitory.
1938
Moved to a 63-acre campus in Sevierville, Tennessee.
1940
Intramural athletic teams began.
1941
Added a two-year junior-college to focus on teacher training and business education.
1942
The Vindagua yearbook began publication.
🏛️
108 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

Phil Cook
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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