LEEving: Dr. Donna Summerlin

After teaching at Lee University’s Language and Literature Department for 38 years, Dr. Donna Summerlin is retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Summerlin is chair of the department of language & literature at Lee. Though Summerlin is retiring, she leaves behind a legacy of caring for and preparing students as they pursue their future career. 

Dr. Donna Summerlin, department chair and senior adjunct professor of English at Lee University. Photo credit: Emma Sargent

Before attending Lee College, Summerlin had gone to some Lee sports games and heard the Lee Singers perform. 

“I grew up in the Church of God, and going to a college where I could be around people who shared my faith was important to me,” Summerlin said.

Although Summerlin was unsure about what degree program to pursue, she went to Lee to register.  

“I always knew that I either wanted to be a teacher or a nurse, and they didn't have a nursing program at that time,” Summerlin said. “Standing in the registration line, I looked back at my twin sister, who was coming [to Lee] at the same time as I was and said, ‘What do you want to major in?’ And she said, ‘Let's do English. It's easy.’ That's how I chose my life.”

Though the decision was made casually, Summerlin found it to be the right one.

“I believe that God was guiding me … The fact that English is easy for me is because I'm good at it. It was the right choice; I've never regretted it,” Summerlin said.

During her time as a student, Summerlin was involved in campus life. She participated in work study with a few different professors, sang in Campus Choir and Ladies of Lee, worked for the Vindaugua, and participated in Sigma Nu Sigma.

After graduating in 1974, Summerlin taught in the Hamilton County School System for 14 years. She received a call about a position opening in Lee's literature department, Summerlin became a professor at Lee in 1988.

“It was a little hard at first, getting used to calling my teachers by their first names, people that had taught me — some of them, I still can't do it. Dr. Conn will always be Dr. Conn to me … But I loved it,” Summerlin said.

Having taught high school for several years, Summerlin was relieved at the difference in teaching college students.

“In high school, you kind of have to fight with them to get them to listen, so it was like dying and going to heaven. My [college] students actually listened. They acted like they wanted to be there. It was wonderful,” Summerlin said.

Though Summerlin enjoys the everyday life of teaching, she has certain moments and memories she regards as special.

“I like homecoming because students come back that I've taught in the past, and seeing them and finding out where they are and what they're doing,” Summerlin

Along with Dr. Janet Rahamut and Dr. Randy Wood, Summerlin started the New England trip as an academic trip in 1999. It was later revitalized as a cross cultural trip for credit.

“We spend a couple of weeks up in New England, and that's always really, really special to me. You really get to know the students well, and I enjoy traveling with them,” Summerlin said.

Summerlin may be retiring from a full time position, but she will be teaching one of her favorite courses, Young Adult Literature, in the fall.

After nearly 40 years teaching at Lee, Summerlin hopes to have given support to the many students she has taught.

“I hope they're strengthened academically, but hopefully spiritually as well. I hope they feel confident that they can come back to me if they need a reference, help, or advice. I hope they're better prepared for their future life,” Summerlin said.