Homecoming
When “Homecoming” was established at Lee College in 1958, alumni returned to campus for the event held during the Thanksgiving holiday in late November. This tradition continued through 1984, after which the annual Homecoming was moved to the first weekend in November, accommodating alumni and employees in celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with their families.
Lee’s tradition of alumni returning to their alma mater first began in 1946, the last year the school was at Sevierville before moving to the current campus in Cleveland. Alumni were invited to the Sevierville campus for an “alumni barbeque” on May 31, 1946. An alumni association was formed at a meeting held later that same evening. Coordinated by the alumni association, the annual gathering became known as the “Alumni Banquet” and was held in conjunction with the college's Commencement exercises each May. Usually, the activities included a senior play and either a singing convention or musical presentation along with the alumni banquet occurring as part of the Commencement festivities.
The first Thanksgiving "Homecoming" for Lee College alumni was held November 27-29, 1958. The annual festivities included a music program, often a play, a sports event, and a Thanksgiving meal. At the 1958 Homecoming, a Football King and Queen were crowned during halftime at the football game. Charles Sloan was named Football King and Becky Tull was Football Queen. The first “Homecoming Queen” was crowned in 1960 when that honor was bestowed upon Charlotte Miller. The tradition of crowning a Homecoming Queen continues each Homecoming, although it now is held during halftime of the men's basketball game.
Since 1985, Homecoming at Lee is held annually during the first weekend in November. The weekend offers numerous events and activities for Lee alumni and current students and employees to reminisce and reconnect. Among the standard events include Greek club breakfasts, the "Volley for a Cure" volleyball match that raises funds for cancer research and awareness, musical performances, a theatre production, a tailgate party, various banquets, a ceremony honoring inductees into the Athletics’ Hall of Fame, and the Flames women’s and men’s basketball games, with the presentation of the Homecoming Court during halftime of the men's game. For many years students also decorated floats for a parade through campus and nearby downtown. Other special activities are incorporated each year as appropriate to celebrate university milestones and anniversary observances. Lee Homecoming remains a highly anticipated and popular event at the university.
/ L.F. Morgan
Lee’s tradition of alumni returning to their alma mater first began in 1946, the last year the school was at Sevierville before moving to the current campus in Cleveland. Alumni were invited to the Sevierville campus for an “alumni barbeque” on May 31, 1946. An alumni association was formed at a meeting held later that same evening. Coordinated by the alumni association, the annual gathering became known as the “Alumni Banquet” and was held in conjunction with the college's Commencement exercises each May. Usually, the activities included a senior play and either a singing convention or musical presentation along with the alumni banquet occurring as part of the Commencement festivities.
The first Thanksgiving "Homecoming" for Lee College alumni was held November 27-29, 1958. The annual festivities included a music program, often a play, a sports event, and a Thanksgiving meal. At the 1958 Homecoming, a Football King and Queen were crowned during halftime at the football game. Charles Sloan was named Football King and Becky Tull was Football Queen. The first “Homecoming Queen” was crowned in 1960 when that honor was bestowed upon Charlotte Miller. The tradition of crowning a Homecoming Queen continues each Homecoming, although it now is held during halftime of the men's basketball game.
Since 1985, Homecoming at Lee is held annually during the first weekend in November. The weekend offers numerous events and activities for Lee alumni and current students and employees to reminisce and reconnect. Among the standard events include Greek club breakfasts, the "Volley for a Cure" volleyball match that raises funds for cancer research and awareness, musical performances, a theatre production, a tailgate party, various banquets, a ceremony honoring inductees into the Athletics’ Hall of Fame, and the Flames women’s and men’s basketball games, with the presentation of the Homecoming Court during halftime of the men's game. For many years students also decorated floats for a parade through campus and nearby downtown. Other special activities are incorporated each year as appropriate to celebrate university milestones and anniversary observances. Lee Homecoming remains a highly anticipated and popular event at the university.
/ L.F. Morgan
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A float at the Lee Homecoming parade in 1987
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