New Welcome Center opens for visitors

New Welcome Center opens for visitors

Lee University's new Welcome Center opened Sept. 19 as a part of President Phil Cook’s inaugural celebration weekend. 

The Welcome Center is now the first stop for incoming prospective students, families, and visitors attending Lee. Jeff Salyer, vice president for enrollment, explains the background of the Welcome Center.

“The point of admissions is to create a welcoming environment for prospective students and their families. For years, we had a couple of houses that did this and those were good facilities when we were a smaller university,” Salyer said.

As the admissions program welcomed more students each year, the need for a larger space became apparent.

“As we grew we needed more space and the current admissions house served well, but there were some limitations to that. We discovered the limitations, so we started brainstorming and dreaming about what could be,” Salyer said. “We’re very excited for prospective families to begin their journey at Lee in our brand new renovated Welcome Center and rebuilt administration building.”

In early February, the Welcome Center started developing a plan and partnered with Bliss Design Build were set in motion. 

Jason Moore, creative director at Lee, was involved with the renovation process.

“While conversations about the idea of this project were happening a year or two prior, our first meeting with Bliss Design Build, the company responsible for the renovation and interior design for this project, was on Feb. 4, 2025,” Moore said.

Photo credit: Lesley Bryant

Bliss Design Build is founded and owned by Lee alumni Shannon and Anna Burton. Anna handles the interior designing, from selecting colors to different furniture pieces from vendors around the world and Shannon specializes in renovations and construction for the company.

“Bliss was up for the challenge of entirely renovating and redesigning the Centenary Room for our Welcome Center, and all three floors of the Higginbotham Administration Building – all within the ambitious turnaround of a 6-month timeline,” Moore said. 

“The newly renovated administration building and Welcome Center will easily be one of the most beautiful and intentionally designed spaces on campus when it is finished.”

Photo credit: Lesley Bryant

Visit the new Welcome Center in the Higginbotham Administration Building during operating hours – Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offices displaced due to the renovations have returned to their refreshed spaces as well.

Parade of Favorites October 24

Parade of Favorites October 24

Campus security, more than parking tickets

Campus security, more than parking tickets