Inauguration Weekend at Lee University
Inauguration weekend kicked off with a special Inauguration chapel featuring the festival choir and orchestra and speaker Dr. Mark Williams, third general overseer of the Church of God.
The celebration continued after chapel with a “Cookout With the Cooks.” Students welcomed President Phil Cook and his wife Tonya to the Ped Mall with cheers, branded towels and t-shirts, and shouts of “let him cook!”
The Lee family celebrated the couple together throughout the afternoon. A V.I.P. dinner with the president’s friends and family was held Thursday evening in the Paul Dana Walker Arena.
Friday morning brought the official inauguration ceremony with special guests from the community, representatives of the Church of God, Lee’s board of directors, faculty, staff and students present.
The ceremony featured prayer, many congratulations, music, and a presidential address from Dr. Phil Cook.
President Cook was sworn in as the 18th President of Lee University by Wade Lombard with the help of Cook’s children, all alumni of Lee.
University Chancellor and former president of Lee University Paul Conn congratulated Dr. Phil Cook as he approached the podium for his presidental address.
The ceremony concluded with a medley arranged by Lee alumnus, Bradkey Knight. The “We Believe” medley pulled from President Cook’s speech leaving the community encouraged and excited for Lee’s future.
As the ceremony came to a close, Lee students waited outside the Conn Center to welcome President Cook and the recession to a celebration on the Ped Mall.
Photos by Emma Sargent, Photo Editor. Article by Aubrianna Brown, Editor-in-Chief.
