Lee University: A Legacy of Notable Alumni

Lee University, situated in Cleveland, Tennessee, boasts a rich history and a diverse array of accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields. Founded in 1918 as the Church of God Bible Training School, the institution has evolved into a comprehensive university, fostering an environment of academic excellence and personal growth. EduRank places Lee University at 2099th in the world, 722nd in North America, and 679th in the United States based on aggregated alumni prominence. This article aims to highlight some of the university's most notable graduates and their remarkable achievements.

Notable Alumni

The following list showcases 15 notable alumni from Lee University, sorted by their Wikipedia page popularity, demonstrating the wide range of fields in which Lee graduates excel.

Scott Stapp

Scott Stapp is an American singer and the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed. Beyond his work with Creed, Stapp has also fronted the band Art of Anarchy and has released four solo albums, showcasing his versatility and enduring presence in the music industry.

Jordan Smith

Jordan Mackenzie Smith is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and musician hailing from Harlan, Kentucky. His musical journey began in his church choir and continued throughout his college education at Lee University, laying the foundation for his successful career. Smith gained national recognition as the winner of Season 9 of "The Voice."

Jay DeMarcus

Jay DeMarcus is an American musician, vocalist, record producer, and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the highly successful country music band Rascal Flatts. His contributions to the band have solidified his place in the country music scene.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Todd Starnes

Todd Starnes is a conservative American columnist, commentator, author, and radio host. He has been a prominent voice in conservative media, appearing on Fox & Friends and Hannity. Starnes previously hosted a syndicated talk radio show on Fox News Radio. In January 2020, Starnes, via his Starnes Media Group, purchased Memphis talk station 990 AM KWAM and translator 107.9 W300DE from Legacy Media, making KWAM the flagship station for his radio show.

Phil Stacey

Joel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After his elimination from the competition, he signed a recording contract with Lyric Street Records. His debut single, "If You Didn't Love Me", was released to radio in early 2008, followed by his self-titled debut album on April 29, 2008. Stacey's second album, Into the Light, was released on August 25, 2009, via Reunion Records.

Mark Harris

Mark Harris is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. His contributions to the genre have made him a respected figure in contemporary Christian music.

Charles Paul Conn

Charles Paul Conn served as the Chancellor and President of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He became president of Lee University in 1986 and retired in 2020, becoming chancellor. Conn returned as the school's interim president for the 2024-2025 academic year. His long tenure and leadership have had a lasting impact on the university. He was the longest serving CEO of any college or university in Tennessee history.

Ben Lobb

Benjamin T. Lobb is a Canadian politician who has represented the federal riding of Huron-Bruce in the House of Commons since 2008. He is a member of the Conservative Party of Canada.

Read also: Westfield State University Legacy

Lance Zawadzki

Lance Frederick Zawadzki is an American former professional baseball shortstop and current assistant hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played professionally for the San Diego Padres in 2010. Previously, he was a minor league coach in the Boston Red Sox organization. Zawadzki's journey from Lee University to Major League Baseball exemplifies the diverse paths taken by its alumni.

Barney Smith

Barney Smith was an American master plumber, artist, and museum curator. He was best known for his Toilet Seat Art Museum in San Antonio, Texas, which he operated out of his home. The museum featured more than 1,000 pieces of art and drew visitors from around the globe.

Chuckie Campbell

Charles Edward Campbell, known as Chuckie Campbell, is an American musician, poet, fiction writer, editor, publisher, and educator. He holds degrees from Lee University, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of Southern Mississippi, reflecting his commitment to education and the arts.

Raymond Culpepper

Raymond Culpepper is a pastor, author, Administrative Bishop of Alabama, and former General Overseer of the Church of God. The General Overseer is the highest office in the Church of God denomination, leading a membership of over 9 million members across 180 countries. From 2016 to 2024, Dr. Raymond F Culpepper served as 1st Assistant General Overseer of the Church of God. He had previously served two terms as First Assistant General Overseer and has been on the Executive “Council of 18” on three occasions. Dr. Culpepper served as Administrative Bishop of Alabama from 2012 to 2016 and formally served as General Overseer from 2008 to 2012.

Kevin Brooks

Kevin Brooks is an American politician who is currently the mayor of Cleveland, Tennessee. He previously served as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 24th district.

Dan Howell

Dan Howell is an American politician from Cleveland, Tennessee. He has served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 22nd district since 2013. He is affiliated with the Republican Party.

G. Dennis McGuire

G. Dennis McGuire is a pastor, evangelist, and administrator in the Church of God denomination. He served two terms as the General Overseer and has also been First and Second Assistant General Overseer. The General Overseer holds the highest office in the Church of God, leading a membership of over 7 million members spanning 185 countries.

Other Notable Figures

Beyond the aforementioned alumni, Lee University has been associated with other individuals who have achieved prominence in their respective fields. These include:

Meriwether Lewis: Known for his exploration of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon as the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and for serving as the governor of Louisiana.
Shin Lim: A Canadian-American magician renowned for his card manipulation and sleight of hand, who gained international fame after winning on America’s Got Talent.

Lee University: A Historical Overview

Founded in 1918 as the Church of God Bible Training School with twelve students and one teacher, Nora I. Chambers, Lee University has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. In 1948, the school became Lee College, encompassing a Bible college and junior college. Twenty years later, it received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a four-year liberal arts college.

The university's campus has an interesting past, originally housing a Methodist institution, Centenary College and Music School, as early as 1885. In 1947, Bob Jones College relocated from Cleveland to Greenville, South Carolina, paving the way for the Bible training school to acquire the 20-acre campus for $1.5 million. The institution was then renamed Lee College in honor of its second president, Rev. F.J. Lee.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Lee College continued to expand and develop. The junior college gained accreditation in 1960, and various student activities and programs were introduced, such as the adoption of the Vikings mascot in 1961 and the establishment of Greek letter clubs in 1962.

Under the leadership of President Charles Paul Conn, who assumed office in 1986, Lee experienced substantial growth and development. New facilities were constructed, including a theatre, recreation center, music building, and college of education. In 1993, a fire destroyed Ellis Hall dormitory, but the university persevered. The Voices of Lee choir was formed in 1994, and the university launched its first graduate program in church music the following year.

In the 21st century, Lee University has continued to expand its academic offerings and facilities. New buildings, such as a student center, humanities center, and school of religion building, were added to the campus. The university also established the Encore program for students over 60 and acquired the former campus of Mayfield Elementary School. In 2010, Lee purchased the downtown campus of Cleveland's First Baptist Church to house a performance venue and the School of Business. Furthermore, Lee began a School of Nursing in 2014, completing a dedicated building for the department two years later.

Campus Life and Culture

Lee University offers a vibrant campus life with a range of co-curricular activities and organizations. Chapel attendance and service requirements are integrated into degree programs, reflecting the university's commitment to spiritual development and community engagement. The university also has a study abroad program called Global Perspectives.

The Lee athletic teams, known as the Flames, compete in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports.

Lee University maintains a "Community Covenant" that outlines expectations for student behavior and social interaction, based on the school's religious policy. This includes restrictions on alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and premarital sexual intercourse.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Lee University has continued to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. In 2023, the university temporarily closed its older, communal-style dorms for renovations. Lee University experienced a data breach following a third-party software vulnerability. The university is set to break ground for a School of Engineering building in the summer of 2025. In March 2024, President Walker announced his resignation.

Rankings and Recognition

Lee University has received recognition in various rankings publications. Washington Monthly ranked Lee among the 2024 Master's Universities. U.S. News & World Report included Lee in its 2024-2025 Best Regional Universities rankings.

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