Entering the Cook era
The first chapel service of Lee University’s fall 2025 semester opened with Chancellor Dr. Paul Conn introducing the next president. As Dr. Phil Cook stepped onto the stage, the Conn Center erupted in a standing ovation of students shouting “Let Him Cook!”
Photo by Aubrianna Brown.
More than a year has passed since Dr. Phil Cook became the 18th president of Lee University. The beginning of Cook’s presidency marks the start of a new era at Lee - an era of renewal.
“He's brought a fresh spirit of enthusiasm and energy to Lee,” says Conn.
Cook is a beloved figure at Lee as an alumni and a longtime staff member of nearly 30 years.
“He has a deep understanding of the culture of Lee University … I don't know anyone who knows the Lee culture better than Phil Cook,” says Conn.
Cook then served as the president of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals for a few years. When Cook received the invitation to return to Lee as president, he says he and his family felt a sense of God working in their lives.
“We believed this was from the Lord, so we had no choice in the matter. There was excitement, but also a real sense of God's calling and destiny in our lives,” says Cook.
Cook’s inauguration took place on Sept. 19.
“I personally had to pinch myself a little bit because I was only here 10 weeks before we did inauguration, and so it was an emotional moment. It was an enjoyable moment,” says Cook.
Photo by Emma Sargent.
All throughout the year, Cook promoted his motto of “All gas no breaks.” Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jean Eledge says that Cook takes this phrase seriously.
“Nobody's working harder than Dr. Cook to try to get us moving with some passion, energy, and new excitement. I've seen him do that and communicate it, and it's very contagious. It makes it fun to dream and see where we can go with that kind of energy that he has exuded,” says Eledge.
Cook focuses not only on current programs and initiatives, but also plans for the future of Lee.
“Our campus feels new to me, but it's been 30 years since we've done some of these projects, so we want to continue to look at renewing the physical campus space, and then also we want to fully launch and to accelerate the engineering computer science programs. We're thrilled about that,” says Cook.
Another target that Cook is eager to hit is increasing enrollment. He says that this is much more than simply trying to increase numbers.
“I believe so much in what we do here that it is unique, that it is exceptional spiritually, academically, socially, and the reason I believe it more than ever is because of all the current students that I've met this year and all the alums that I know around the world. Thousands of Lee alums that I've known over the years would say, ‘Keep recruiting students to be there to change lives,’” says Cook.
Dr. Cook at Dorm Wars 2025. Photo by Emma Sargent.
Cook works to maintain and improve the facilities, programs, and everything that makes Lee such a special place. He brings his vision and passion to everything he does. While Cook works hard to pursue his vision for the University, he and his wife Tanya are also intentional about being involved in student life.
“When I started the job, I said, ‘Every day I'm going to talk with, meet with, or interact with a current student, a prospective student, or an alum,’” says Cook.
Cook may be found throwing the first pitch at a fraternity baseball game or signing on stage at an American Sign Language Praise Night.
“This is our life. We don't know anything else. You have to be involved in student life … We make a very conscious effort and a very specific effort to be at anything and everything. I want to be at everything. I want to be everywhere,” says Cook.
One unique initiative this year is the “often imitated never duplicated” Presidential Uber. The social media series became popular, and has even been taken to places like the Tallow House. The series also won a gold Telly award for a Series-Not-For-Profit.
Cook says that although the Presidential Uber can be silly and fun, there is purpose behind it.
“The stars of the show are the students who sit on the golf cart. The stars of the show are the alumni who sit on the golf cart. The stars of the show are the prospective students and families who sit on the golf cart,” says Cook.
For Cook, the purpose is to bring attention to what is going on at Lee and in the lives of students.
“It's meaningful because it's telling stories of students. I'm for that all day long. What can we do to tell your story? What brought you here? What keeps you here? What is God's plan for your life,” says Cook.
With his many responsibilities and commitments, Cook says that during this season, God is teaching him to rely on him.
“I don't know how somebody would be in a role like this without faith in Jesus. I don't know how they do it,” says Cook. “I am praying all the time that The Lord will bless what we're doing. The Lord is teaching me, reminding me that I need his supernatural strength. We all need it to be able to do what God's called us to do,” says Cook.
Cook hopes to retire from Lee when the time comes. In the meantime, Lee’s future is set to be bright with the passion and excitement Cook has inspired - as long as we continue to “Let Him Cook!”
