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Encyclopedia of Lee University History
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Timeline of Highlights

1940 - 1949

​1941
JUNIOR COLLEGE IS ESTABLISHED AND HIGH SCHOOL ACCREDITATION RECEIVED 

Realizing many students who complete the Academy [high school] desire to attend college, but in programs other than those offered at BTS, a 2-year Junior College is established, due largely to the vision and efforts of Principal R.R. Walker.  The first classroom work begins on September 8th, and the focus is training prospective teachers, business administration, and business education. The school’s name changes to Bible Training School and College. One year later, curriculum is restructured, the school term increases to 9 months, and departments are clarified (Christian Workers, High School, and Junior College).
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​1942
GENERAL ASSEMBLY CREATES OFFICE OF PRESIDENT 

Zeno C. Tharp becomes the first to serve the Bible Training School with the title of President. Prior leaders of the school had the title of Superintendent. Those serving in this role during the BTS era include:
                                                                                         1918-1920       A.J. Tomlinson
                                                                                         1920-1922       J.B. Ellis
                                                                                         1922-1923       F.J. Lee
                                                                                         1923-1924       J.B. Ellis
                                                                                         1924-1930       T.S. Payne
                                                                                         1930-1935       J.H. Walker
                                                                                         1935-1944       Zeno C. Tharp
                                                                                         1944-1945       J.H. Walker
                                                                                         1945-1948       E.L. Simmons
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​1942
FIRST ADMINISTRATOR HIRED WITH A GRADUATE DEGREE

Mary Elizabeth Harrison Green is hired as Principal of the Academy. She has a Master’s degree and becomes instrumental in the high school’s continued efforts to attain accreditation, which is awarded by the Tennessee Department of Education the following year.
 
VINDAGUA FIRST PUBLISHED 
The inaugural edition of the school’s yearbook is published in 1942. Horace McCracken is editor, Clifford Bridges is Business Manager, and Dorothy Ramey [Bearden] is treasurer. Avis Swiger serves as the yearbook’s first faculty advisor. The name Vindagua, which comes from the Norse word “Vindauga” meaning “window,” is chosen because the yearbook represents looking through the window of time to the year’s highlights. It transitions into a biannual magazine format in 2016.
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​1943
BTS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH FOCUS ON THE FUTURE

At the special chapel service for the school’s 25th anniversary, Nora Chambers is present and reflects, “If we, 25 years ago, could have drawn back the curtain and seen what we see today, wouldn’t we have been encouraged?” Alda B. Harrison, who began the youth ministry in the Church of God, also addresses the students: “25 years ago church leaders realized that the teaching Gospel was just as much a part of the Christian religion as the preaching gospel. Now studying year after year, education has become part of your religion and religion part of your education. Your candle is the highest and brightest, but development must not cease. Your Alma Mater must proudly stand as a moulder and maker of a mankind forever!”
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​1946
EARL TAPLEY BECOMES FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Earl M. Tapley, a 1935 graduate of BTS, is hired as Academic Dean and the school’s first Vice President. He suggests the name ”Lee College” (in memory of F. J. Lee). Tapley is one of the key visionaries of the “new Lee.” He will later serve as Acting President for a few months in 1951 before assuming leadership roles with other educational institutions.
 
 
SCHOOL NEWSPAPER FIRST PUBLISHED
Originally named Campus Hi-Lites, the school newspaper is first published in October 1946. Dora P. Myers serves as faculty sponsor and Billie Toothman is editor. The newspaper is named Lee College Clarion (1948-62), The Clarion (1962-84), Lee Collegian (1984-2004), and renamed Lee Clarion in 2004. It becomes an online publication in 2017.
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​1947
SCHOOL CHANGES NAME TO LEE COLLEGE AND MOVES TO CLEVELAND, TENNESSEE

President E.L. Simmons announces publicly the name change to Lee College as part of the academic year’s closing program on May 21st. This same year, the Junior College is accredited by the University of Tennessee and its enrollment surpasses that of the original religious education program. The school then relocates to Cleveland after the purchase the 20-acre campus of Bob Jones College a year earlier for $1.5 million. The first classes on the new campus begin on September 1st with 600 students enrolled. The first years as Lee College are marked with advancement and excitement.
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​1948
SIGNIFICANT ACCREDITATION WON

Due largely to the efforts of Academy Principal Mary Elizabeth Harrison Green and Vice President Earl Tapley, the Lee Academy becomes accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools [SACS]. This is the institution’s first accreditation with SACS.

Click Here to View 1950 - 1959
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