Engram Project
In 2024, Chancellor Paul Conn unveiled a plan to honor faculty and staff with 35 years or more of full-time service to Lee University. He named it the "Engram Project," explaining the term engram in psychology refers to "the permanent physical trace of a memory." Long-term faculty members, he said, live permanently in the memories of thousands of students, but there should be something more than just memories. "On this campus, there should be a physical reminder of the individuals who have basically given their professional lives to this institution-- a permanent, visible tribute to them and their contributions," explained Conn.
During the summer of 2025, large metal tablets were produced for an initial 28 Lee employees meeting the criteria and permanently installed on the walls of various campus buildings. The plaques include a portrait etched into the metal and a brief description of the person's career highlights. This is an ongoing project, with additional tablets in production and others will be added for years to come.
As of December 2025, the following individuals have plaques installed as part of the Lee Engram Project:
During the summer of 2025, large metal tablets were produced for an initial 28 Lee employees meeting the criteria and permanently installed on the walls of various campus buildings. The plaques include a portrait etched into the metal and a brief description of the person's career highlights. This is an ongoing project, with additional tablets in production and others will be added for years to come.
As of December 2025, the following individuals have plaques installed as part of the Lee Engram Project:
Located in the School of Music
Mark Bailey
Jim Burns
Andrea Dismukes
Virginia Horton
Phil Morehead
Danny Murray
Located in the Science and Math Complex
Robert "Bob" Griffith
Robert O'Bannon
Milton Riley
Located in the School of Business
Evaline Echols
Hermilo Jasso
Dewayne Thompson
Located in the Vest Building
Lena Barber
Carolyn Dirksen
Jean Eledge
Donna Summerlin
Located in the Squires Library
Frances Arrington
Barbara McCullough
Located in the Higginbotham Administration Building
Betty Baldree
Located in the Helen DeVos College of Education
JoAnn Higginbotham
Debbie Murray
Mark Wickam
Located in the School of Theology and Ministry
Don Bowdle
Jerome Boone
Located in the Humanities Building
Murl Dirksen
Bob Fisher
Karen Mundy Judkins
Ollie Lee
Mark Bailey
Jim Burns
Andrea Dismukes
Virginia Horton
Phil Morehead
Danny Murray
Located in the Science and Math Complex
Robert "Bob" Griffith
Robert O'Bannon
Milton Riley
Located in the School of Business
Evaline Echols
Hermilo Jasso
Dewayne Thompson
Located in the Vest Building
Lena Barber
Carolyn Dirksen
Jean Eledge
Donna Summerlin
Located in the Squires Library
Frances Arrington
Barbara McCullough
Located in the Higginbotham Administration Building
Betty Baldree
Located in the Helen DeVos College of Education
JoAnn Higginbotham
Debbie Murray
Mark Wickam
Located in the School of Theology and Ministry
Don Bowdle
Jerome Boone
Located in the Humanities Building
Murl Dirksen
Bob Fisher
Karen Mundy Judkins
Ollie Lee
/ Lee University Office of Communications
* This content provided as part of the Engram Project recognizing Lee employees with more than 35 years of services as of 2025. Text for these projects is a collaboration between Charles Brian Conn, Kendra Gray, Charles Paul Conn, and Josh York.
* This content provided as part of the Engram Project recognizing Lee employees with more than 35 years of services as of 2025. Text for these projects is a collaboration between Charles Brian Conn, Kendra Gray, Charles Paul Conn, and Josh York.