Vest, R. Lamar
R. Lamar Vest (born 1940) was named president of Lee College in 1984, following the second tenure of Ray H. Hughes Sr. in the post. President Vest served two years.
Originally from South Carolina, the 44-year-old Vest had an impressive ministerial portfolio from the local pastorate to state discipleship leadership. He came to Lee immediately after serving as Director of Youth and Christian Education for the denomination. He himself had graduated from Lee.
Initially, the Board of Directors wanted to appoint Dr. Paul Conn as president, but the Executive Committee wanted Lamar Vest. In the end, Vest was named president.
When he arrived at Lee, morale was low. The year before enrollment dipped below 1,000 students, and there were lingering financial struggles. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work– and he dedicated himself to the task assigned him. He cared about student’s development and he understood the broader purpose for students to see their potential to make a difference in the world. President Vest went over the books and began to find ways out of the financial difficulties. He focused on debt reduction, building relations with the church and community, and student recruitment.
Four months into his tenure, President Vest appointed psychology professor Dr. Paul Conn to serve as his Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Conn accepted and this helped set the course for Conn to become president of Lee.
The enrollment decline reversed, and within two years enrollment increased from 960 to 1,214. Lee began to sense hope once again.
President Vest was re-appointed by the Lee Board in 1986, but at the Church of God General Assembly that year he was elected into another position. Four years later he became general overseer of the Church of God.
The Vest Building is named for him.
/ L.F. Morgan
Originally from South Carolina, the 44-year-old Vest had an impressive ministerial portfolio from the local pastorate to state discipleship leadership. He came to Lee immediately after serving as Director of Youth and Christian Education for the denomination. He himself had graduated from Lee.
Initially, the Board of Directors wanted to appoint Dr. Paul Conn as president, but the Executive Committee wanted Lamar Vest. In the end, Vest was named president.
When he arrived at Lee, morale was low. The year before enrollment dipped below 1,000 students, and there were lingering financial struggles. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work– and he dedicated himself to the task assigned him. He cared about student’s development and he understood the broader purpose for students to see their potential to make a difference in the world. President Vest went over the books and began to find ways out of the financial difficulties. He focused on debt reduction, building relations with the church and community, and student recruitment.
Four months into his tenure, President Vest appointed psychology professor Dr. Paul Conn to serve as his Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Conn accepted and this helped set the course for Conn to become president of Lee.
The enrollment decline reversed, and within two years enrollment increased from 960 to 1,214. Lee began to sense hope once again.
President Vest was re-appointed by the Lee Board in 1986, but at the Church of God General Assembly that year he was elected into another position. Four years later he became general overseer of the Church of God.
The Vest Building is named for him.
/ L.F. Morgan