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This weekend, Lee University conferred 200 degrees to undergraduate and graduate students during its winter commencement ceremony. Graduates and family in a festive, holiday-decorated Conn Center celebrated the accomplishment in a ceremony featuring a keynote address from Esmerelda Lee.

“I have heard many commencement speeches in my lifetime,” said Lee President Dr. Mark L. Walker. “The address by Esmerelda Lee was the best I’ve ever heard. Her personal stories interwoven within her three challenges to be audacious, tenacious, and capacious was masterful! I think very few people will ever forget it. I know I won’t.”

Drawing from her personal life, Lee encouraged the graduates to be brave enough to reach for higher goals, to work hard for the life they want, and to do all things while trusting in Christ to guide their steps. “No matter where you go, remember your story is part of a greater legacy,” said Lee. “You don’t just represent yourself. You represent an eternal flame.”

Esmerelda Lee serves as the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Century Park Associates, where she oversees the assisted and independent living for seniors in the Cleveland community, seeking to provide an “enriching lifestyle” for its residents. She has also served in various roles within the Cleveland community, including the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Rotary Club of Cleveland, the 2009 Steering Committee for United Way, the Governor’s Board, the Lee University Alumni Advisory Board, and the Cleveland High School Community Advisory Board.

This fall, Lee was inducted into the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association’s (TICUA) Hall of Fame, which aims to honor distinguished alumni from TICUA institutions while highlighting their contributions to the state, nation, and world.

Of the 200 degrees conferred, four were associate degrees, 174 were bachelor’s degrees, 21 were master’s degrees, and one was a doctoral degree.

The winter event is one of three graduation weekends at Lee each year. Lee also holds commencements in May and July.

To view the commencement and commissioning ceremonies, visit leeu.live.

For more information about commencement exercises, contact the Academic Events Office at [email protected], (423) 614-8117, or visit academics/graduation-info/.