Simmons, Ernest Lesley "E.L."
Ernest Lesley "E.L." Simmons (1893-1965) was the seventh individuals to lead the Bible Training School and the second person to have the designation as President. His tenure was from 1945 to 1948, during which time the school's name was changed to Lee College, in memory of former leader F.J. Lee.
Originally from Florida, Simmons was an esteemed and proven leader in the church. He was age 52 when he assumed the presidency in 1945. He led the school in broadening its perspective, expanding its structure, and continued curriculum development. Additional buildings were constructed at the Sevierville campus– even including a heating plant to provide hot water across the campus– which made for happy students and teachers alike.
President Simmons also was intentional to increase the academic credentials of the faculty. In 1946 he hired Earl Tapley as the school’s first Vice President and Dean. Tapley was the second administrator with a graduate degree. In 1947 the Junior College was accredited by the University of Tennessee– a very significant accomplishment of the Simmons presidency. Likewise, the high school was accredited by the Southern Association in 1948, also during the Simmons presidency. Each of these achievements increased the reputation of the school and built positive morale among students and faculty. The pieces were finally coming together for a strong academic institution.
Another achievement was the purchase of the 20-acre former campus of Bob Jones University in 1946 for $1.5 million dollars. Located in Cleveland, it meant the school came back home– only a few blocks away from where it began. The first classes were held on new campus in September 1947 and building space was 179,000 square feet. When the school relocated to Cleveland, it seemed fitting to give it a new name. Vice President Earl Tapley proposed the name Lee College in honor of F.J. Lee. President Simmons liked it and lobbied with the Church of God for the name change.
Interestingly, one of the main objectors to the name change was former President Tharp– whose wife was a sister to President Simmons’ wife. President Tharp was state overseer of South Carolina and rallied a number of ministers there to lobby the Church of God to name the school Church of God College. The denomination deferred to the Board, and through influence of President Simmons the name Lee College was announced in May 1947.
With the return to Cleveland in 1947, President Simmons told the Board he would serve one more year. In only three years, he had led the school through positive advancement and left it in the hands of visionaries and capable faculty members who were filled with hopeful promise for even greater things to come.
Simmons was married to Mamie Caruthers Simmons (1897-1980).
/ L.F. Morgan
Originally from Florida, Simmons was an esteemed and proven leader in the church. He was age 52 when he assumed the presidency in 1945. He led the school in broadening its perspective, expanding its structure, and continued curriculum development. Additional buildings were constructed at the Sevierville campus– even including a heating plant to provide hot water across the campus– which made for happy students and teachers alike.
President Simmons also was intentional to increase the academic credentials of the faculty. In 1946 he hired Earl Tapley as the school’s first Vice President and Dean. Tapley was the second administrator with a graduate degree. In 1947 the Junior College was accredited by the University of Tennessee– a very significant accomplishment of the Simmons presidency. Likewise, the high school was accredited by the Southern Association in 1948, also during the Simmons presidency. Each of these achievements increased the reputation of the school and built positive morale among students and faculty. The pieces were finally coming together for a strong academic institution.
Another achievement was the purchase of the 20-acre former campus of Bob Jones University in 1946 for $1.5 million dollars. Located in Cleveland, it meant the school came back home– only a few blocks away from where it began. The first classes were held on new campus in September 1947 and building space was 179,000 square feet. When the school relocated to Cleveland, it seemed fitting to give it a new name. Vice President Earl Tapley proposed the name Lee College in honor of F.J. Lee. President Simmons liked it and lobbied with the Church of God for the name change.
Interestingly, one of the main objectors to the name change was former President Tharp– whose wife was a sister to President Simmons’ wife. President Tharp was state overseer of South Carolina and rallied a number of ministers there to lobby the Church of God to name the school Church of God College. The denomination deferred to the Board, and through influence of President Simmons the name Lee College was announced in May 1947.
With the return to Cleveland in 1947, President Simmons told the Board he would serve one more year. In only three years, he had led the school through positive advancement and left it in the hands of visionaries and capable faculty members who were filled with hopeful promise for even greater things to come.
Simmons was married to Mamie Caruthers Simmons (1897-1980).
/ L.F. Morgan