Timeline of Highlights
1960 - 1969
1960
RAY H. HUGHES SERVES FIRST TENURE AS PRESIDENT
Ray H. Hughes, an emerging young leader in the Church of God and former BTS student, serves as president from 1960-66. Hughes oversees a dynamic period of institutional growth. Enrollment significantly expands, new academic and co-curricular programs are developed, and faculty ranking and tenure are first offered. In 1962, the Church of God recommends beginning a 4-year liberal arts college, and the institution begins a process of consolidation and restructuring to gain accreditation with SACS. During his presidency, the school of Music is merged into the department of music of the Junior College, and the high school program is discontinued. In 1966, the Junior College becomes known as Liberal Arts College.
RAY H. HUGHES SERVES FIRST TENURE AS PRESIDENT
Ray H. Hughes, an emerging young leader in the Church of God and former BTS student, serves as president from 1960-66. Hughes oversees a dynamic period of institutional growth. Enrollment significantly expands, new academic and co-curricular programs are developed, and faculty ranking and tenure are first offered. In 1962, the Church of God recommends beginning a 4-year liberal arts college, and the institution begins a process of consolidation and restructuring to gain accreditation with SACS. During his presidency, the school of Music is merged into the department of music of the Junior College, and the high school program is discontinued. In 1966, the Junior College becomes known as Liberal Arts College.
1962
FIRST GREEK-LETTER SOCIAL SERVICE CLUB INITIATED
Upsilon Xi is organized with 8 members in September 1962 as the first Greek-letter social service club on campus. Other clubs soon follow, including Alpha Gamma Chi (1963) for men, and Delta Zeta Tau (1964) and Sigma Nu Sigma (1966) for women. Today students can participate in 12 Greek-letter service clubs and numerous other academic, diversity, social service, and spiritual life clubs.
FIRST GREEK-LETTER SOCIAL SERVICE CLUB INITIATED
Upsilon Xi is organized with 8 members in September 1962 as the first Greek-letter social service club on campus. Other clubs soon follow, including Alpha Gamma Chi (1963) for men, and Delta Zeta Tau (1964) and Sigma Nu Sigma (1966) for women. Today students can participate in 12 Greek-letter service clubs and numerous other academic, diversity, social service, and spiritual life clubs.
1963
LEE SINGERS ESTABLISHED AND PARADE OF FAVORITES BECOMES TRADITION
Emerging from the first “Touring Choir” organized in 1958 by A.T. Humphries, Lee Singers is established by Delton Alford in 1963. Vocal and instrumental ensembles begin to represent Lee more intentionally across the nation and internationally. Currently, these include Campus Choir, Evangelistic Singers, Ladies of Lee, Lee Singers, Voices of Lee, and Symphonic Band. Also in 1963, Parade of Favorites begins with Betty Jo Byrd [Sumner] of Lakeland, Florida becoming the first “Miss Parade of Favorites.”
LEE SINGERS ESTABLISHED AND PARADE OF FAVORITES BECOMES TRADITION
Emerging from the first “Touring Choir” organized in 1958 by A.T. Humphries, Lee Singers is established by Delton Alford in 1963. Vocal and instrumental ensembles begin to represent Lee more intentionally across the nation and internationally. Currently, these include Campus Choir, Evangelistic Singers, Ladies of Lee, Lee Singers, Voices of Lee, and Symphonic Band. Also in 1963, Parade of Favorites begins with Betty Jo Byrd [Sumner] of Lakeland, Florida becoming the first “Miss Parade of Favorites.”
1963
PHYSICAL EXPANSION UNDER HUGHES’ PRESIDENCY
Growth necessitates expansion during the Hughes’ presidency. Old Main, the oldest building on campus that once housed Centenary Women’s College, is torn down and replaced with a new Administration Building. Two years later, the Lois Underwood Beach Science Building is constructed.
PHYSICAL EXPANSION UNDER HUGHES’ PRESIDENCY
Growth necessitates expansion during the Hughes’ presidency. Old Main, the oldest building on campus that once housed Centenary Women’s College, is torn down and replaced with a new Administration Building. Two years later, the Lois Underwood Beach Science Building is constructed.
1964
THE FIRST “LEE DAY” HELD WITH MORE THAN 1,000 ATTENDING
THE FIRST “LEE DAY” HELD WITH MORE THAN 1,000 ATTENDING
1966
JAMES A. CROSS BECOMES PRESIDENT AND LEE EXCEEDS 1,000 STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Building on the momentum from the Hughes’ presidency, James A. Cross serves as Lee’s President from 1966-70. During his presidency, Lee exceeds 1,000 students for the first time. Lee’s academic development continues with the addition of faculty with doctorates and credentials necessary to meet accreditation standards.
JAMES A. CROSS BECOMES PRESIDENT AND LEE EXCEEDS 1,000 STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Building on the momentum from the Hughes’ presidency, James A. Cross serves as Lee’s President from 1966-70. During his presidency, Lee exceeds 1,000 students for the first time. Lee’s academic development continues with the addition of faculty with doctorates and credentials necessary to meet accreditation standards.
LEE ENROLLS FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS
In the early years, the school adhered to government laws prohibiting integrated schools, except for a handful of minority students with missions-related status, whom the school had accepted since 1928. In May 1964, the Church of God adopts a resolution endorsing the desegregation of schools. Two years later, in 1966, Lee is desegregated when Deborah Bacon and Larry Cox of Cleveland and Hazel Edwards of Mississippi become the first African-American students. Mollye Edmond of Mississippi, Pauline Washington of Washington, D.C., Mike Linley of Georgia, and Sam Ellis and Quan Miller of Florida soon join them.
In the early years, the school adhered to government laws prohibiting integrated schools, except for a handful of minority students with missions-related status, whom the school had accepted since 1928. In May 1964, the Church of God adopts a resolution endorsing the desegregation of schools. Two years later, in 1966, Lee is desegregated when Deborah Bacon and Larry Cox of Cleveland and Hazel Edwards of Mississippi become the first African-American students. Mollye Edmond of Mississippi, Pauline Washington of Washington, D.C., Mike Linley of Georgia, and Sam Ellis and Quan Miller of Florida soon join them.
1968
GROWTH OF STUDENT BODY NECESSITATES CREATION OF TWO NEW RESIDENCE HALLS
Hughes Hall is constructed in 1968 and Cross Hall in 1969.
GROWTH OF STUDENT BODY NECESSITATES CREATION OF TWO NEW RESIDENCE HALLS
Hughes Hall is constructed in 1968 and Cross Hall in 1969.
1969
LEE WINS SACS ACCREDITATION FOR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE PROGRAM
The period of program consolidation ends and ushers in the modern era of Lee College as a 4-year liberal arts institution. Lee hires Donald Aultman as Vice President and Dean with the responsibility of guiding the school toward accreditation. The initial review is delayed to allow Lee to address ongoing concerns and major re-structuring begins. Dr. Aultman later reflects: “We had to take an academic bulldozer, turn the college upside down, and completely redesign it…. We created vehicles for student involvement in governance—college council, faculty affairs, [and] curriculum. We acquired doctoral faculty for each major area of study…. We raised faculty wages and established a tenure policy…. The changes we imposed on the college were not perfect, but crucial, fearless adjustments that led to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation.” The Bible College and Liberal Arts College merge, and Lee becomes a unified college with three divisions: Arts and Sciences, Religion, and Teacher Education. In December, Lee’s 4-year liberal arts program wins accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
LEE WINS SACS ACCREDITATION FOR FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE PROGRAM
The period of program consolidation ends and ushers in the modern era of Lee College as a 4-year liberal arts institution. Lee hires Donald Aultman as Vice President and Dean with the responsibility of guiding the school toward accreditation. The initial review is delayed to allow Lee to address ongoing concerns and major re-structuring begins. Dr. Aultman later reflects: “We had to take an academic bulldozer, turn the college upside down, and completely redesign it…. We created vehicles for student involvement in governance—college council, faculty affairs, [and] curriculum. We acquired doctoral faculty for each major area of study…. We raised faculty wages and established a tenure policy…. The changes we imposed on the college were not perfect, but crucial, fearless adjustments that led to Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation.” The Bible College and Liberal Arts College merge, and Lee becomes a unified college with three divisions: Arts and Sciences, Religion, and Teacher Education. In December, Lee’s 4-year liberal arts program wins accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
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