Dr. Conn has disappeared from Lee University. Lee’s beloved president escaped to the land of Red Sox and Patriots to study once more at prestigious Harvard University. Every tenth semester the president earns a much needed sabbatical from Lee.

“This is the fourth time I have left campus to work as a postdoctoral scholar for a semester, during the 22 years I have been president,” said Conn.

Lee’s four Vice-Presidents will step up to take Conn’s place throughout the semester. The Vice-President for Enrollment Gary Ray will be the first to step in to serve as President Pro Tem. After Ray’s term is up, the remaining of the semester, Dr. Walt Mauldin, Vice-President for Student Life; Dr. Carylon Dirkson, Vice-President of Academic Affairs; and Chris Conine, Vice President for Business and Finance, will rotate serving in the position throughout the remainder of the semester.

“I will be on campus quite a lot this semester, actually,” said Conn. Conn returned for the first time last week and and will also return about five days a month throughout the semester. It is easy to see that Conn cannot stray too far from his home at Lee.

Conn holds a firm belief that learning never ends even for a president with a doctorate in psychology. Some may recall Conn sharing in chapel about studying under a legendary professor at Harvard. This semester he returns to study alongside several renowned psychologists in the area of adult development. His major focus has shifted to specific issues in the field of psychology and particularly developmental psychology.

Mrs. Conn joins her husband in Boston while earning a semester away herself. Many do not realize the number of responsibilities Mrs. Conn assumes as the wife of the president. Mrs. Conn attends numerous Lee functions with her husband including sporting events, recitals and plays. This semester allows time for the Conns to relax and rejuvenate.

Back on the home front, current President Pro Tem Ray assumes the dual duties of both president and administrator for enrollment. Each morning Ray meets with the University Cabinet to discuss daily business matters and operations. Ray fulfills the role of administrator in case of any sudden circumstances where the president would be needed.

For most students a missing president appears strangely unusual, but to long term faculty a sabbatical is normal and routine. Since a sabbatical only occurs every five years, a traditional four year student never witnesses the president gone twice.

So, for the average student wandering around, you may notice an empty Vest Wing this semester, but Conn did not disappear, he quietly departed to push the field of psychology even further.

“Students will barely notice I’m gone,” said Conn.