The General Assembly of the Tennessee House of Representatives recently passed a proclamation effective this morning for the state.  Today is Dr. Charles Paul Conn Day!

Dr. Conn began his tenure here 25 years ago today, and our state government has recognized his tenure and his leadership with this special day.  The proclamation, delivered by Representative Brooks, is pictured here, and the text transcribed below.
Proclamation:

            Whereas, it is appropriate that the members of this General Assembly should recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and proven ability over an extended period; and

            Whereas, Dr. Charles Paul Conn has served with distinction in the capacity of President of Lee University for the past twenty-five years, beginning his tenure on August 1, 1986; and

            Whereas, President Conn is an alumnus and is now in his fortieth year at Lee University, having joined the psychology faculty in 1971; and

            Whereas, Dr. Conn first served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement for nineteen months prior to being appointed President; and

            Whereas, when President Conn assumed the role of President, student enrollment at Lee was just under 1,200 students and has now topped 4,300 students setting an astonishing record of twenty-five consecutive years of enrollment growth, and the third largest student population of a private university in Tennessee; and

            Whereas, President Conn has enlarged the Lee University campus in Cleveland, Tennessee from approximately twenty-two acres to over 125 acres today, beautifying the area between Central and 20th Streets and Ocoee and Maple Streets; and

            Whereas, under his leadership, President Conn has built more than twenty-five new buildings on the campus, including such structures as Dixon Center, Curtsinger Music Building, Student Union, Humanities Center, School of Religion and the Math and Science Complex; and

            Whereas, in 1997, Lee College made the successful transition to Lee University and is now recognized as a “Top Tier” university by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges edition; and

            Whereas, Lee University has added multiple new programs over the last quarter century, including new majors, numerous Masters programs, the Poiema project, study abroad, and a service learning initiative; and

            Whereas, the Lee University service learning initiative has been recognized nationally with the U.S. President’s Higher Education Honor Roll for Community Service, one of only six institutions recognized in 2009; and

            Whereas, since 1986, Lee University athletics has grown from four sports to thirteen, with several national recognitions for academics and competition in the NAIA, including three consecutive national championships in women’s soccer; and

            Whereas, Lee University has nurtured its Evangelical Christian identity, maintaining its roots with the Church of God denomination and placing strong emphasis on the spiritual development of all students in the classroom and student life; and

            Whereas, Dr. Paul Conn has served longer than any of the seventeen previous presidents of Lee University, which was founded in 1918 as Bible Training School; now, therefore,

            I, Beth Harwell, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Seventh General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, at the request of and in conjunction with Representative Kevin Brooks, do hereby proclaim that we join with the Lee University community and his family and many friends as they celebrate Monday, August 1, 2011, as Dr. Charles Paul Conn Day in the State of Tennessee, honoring and commending him for his exceptional leadership of Lee University over the last twenty-five years.

            Proclaimed in Nashville, Tennessee on this the 1st day of August, 2011.

                                                                                                Beth Harwell

                                                                                    Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                                                Kevin Brooks

                                                                                    Representative, 24th House District