LEEWIND: Campus gets a new look
Courtesy of Preston Steger, Social Media Manager
LEEWIND is a weekly series by the Lee Clarion featuring a story from our archives to celebrate Lee's Centennial.
Sept. 1988—When you drove up to the campus this fall a few questions may have entered your mind. What happened to Church Street?
Where are the telephone poles and wires? Why is there blacktop where health services used to be? What and where is the Village Inn? These are just a few of the questions asked about the effects of the growth and changes that Lee is experiencing.
Throughout the 1987-88 school year students and staff were introduced to some of the plans to give the campus a "facelift." Little did they know this "facelift" would be so dramatic.
The black asphalt strip running through the middle of campus known as Church Street was converted into a lighted, bricked pathway. This new pedestrian mall contains an amphitheatre, sidewalk cafe, and even a drinking fountain.
The "Lamar Vest Christian Ministries Building" is also a new addition to the campus. In order to handle the increasing enrollment and lack of classroom space, the "Carry the Torch" campaign was created. This campaign was designed to raise at least one million dollars for the renovation of the Old Library into the new Lamar Vest building. The Lamar Vest building was opened for classes and dedicated this fall.
To accommodate the increased enrollment, new housing also had to be arranged. Physical education instructors were moved from the first floor of Nora Chambers into the Walker Memorial Building. The lower level of Nora Chambers was remodeled into a women's dorm housing 48 women. During the first week of school, 20 students were temporarily housed at the Village Inn.
Students returned to find a field of tar and brick where houses once were. This is the new Tennis Center. The Center, upon completion, will have several lighted courts, locker rooms and a spectator seating area. There is also parking near the courts and a new parking lot where the old courts were.
Not only is this "facelift" creating a physical change but also a change in attitude and atmosphere. Senior Scot Carter said, "It is a tremendous physical change, and because of it I am more motivated and feel more a part of the campus family."
Education major Steven Allen feels that the "facelift" gives a more sophisticated look that says we are not standing still but are on the move.
The faculty and staff also share the excitement. Mr. Herron, professor of religion, commented that he is "optimistic for the future." Dr. Kathaleen Reid stated, "Lee is an exciting place to be right now. We have the unique task of combining a strong academic education, a mutual Christian faith, and our Church of God heritage. What an exciting challenge and privilege!"
