Lee University will welcome hundreds of guests, alumni, and community leaders on Friday, Sept. 20, to “Celebration 2024,” a morning planned to commemorate “the blessings of God, the faithfulness of friends, and the hope of our future.”  

“The tradition of ‘Celebration’ at Lee began in 1988, and we have enjoyed a dozen of these festive events over the years,” said Lee President Paul Conn. “We thrive and flourish because of the faithfulness of so many friends in this community and around the country, so we thought we’d throw a party to celebrate.” 

The celebratory events will begin with nine seminars taking place simultaneously across campus at 9 a.m., featuring guest speakers who will present to students and other Celebration guests on a variety of topics. 

Following the seminars, a Service of Celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Conn Center. The centerpiece of the “Celebration 2024” event, this service will feature music from a 300-voice choir and orchestra and a keynote address by Conn. An alumnus representing each of the last 60 class years will march in regalia alongside the Lee faculty and Board of Directors. 

Conn describes the event this way: “Colorful ceremony, inspiring music, a short speech, and at the end, terrific food. What could be better than that?!”  He emphasized that the event is open to the public. 

Following the ceremony, a gourmet lunch will be held for all attendees. Morning classes at Lee will be cancelled so that students may be a part of the festivities.  

For more information about “Celebration 2024,” or to find out how to attend, contact Director of Community Engagement Kristen Grisham at [email protected] or by calling (423) 614-8598.