Campus receives donation from Regions Bank and Foundation
President of Regions Bank Chattanooga Michael Mathis, right, and President of Regions Bank Cleveland Ken Dew, center, present a gift from Regions to Dr. Paul Conn.
Photo courtesy of the Lee University Public Relations office
Thanks to contributors such as Regions, Lee University’s campus is getting even bigger.
Both Regions Bank and Regions Foundation were the joint contributors to a $100,000 donation received by the university in early January 2017.
Michael Mathis, president of Regions Bank Chattanooga, and Ken Dew, president of Regions Bank Cleveland, presented the gift in support of the Find Us Faithful capital campaign.
The campaign is an endeavor to expand the southern end of campus and has led to the construction of the Nursing Building, Forum and future Business Building, along with walkways and landscaping, according to a media release.
“We are glad when we can step up and help with projects like this,” President of Regions Bank Cleveland Ken Dew said in the release. “The work Lee does makes our community better, and we are happy to partner with them in that work.”
The south end renovations of Lee’s now 100+ acre campus are taking place next to downtown Cleveland, furthering President Paul Conn’s vision for the university to connect more closely with the local community.
“Even while expanding, our focus through this campaign has been on being great neighbors,” Conn said in the release. “It means the world to us for great neighbors like Regions of Cleveland and Chattanooga to affirm that focus and help us finish strong.”
The ongoing project will provide a high-quality educational opportunity for 400 nursing students, and the First Baptist Church building will house over 470 students in Lee’s business program.
Several acres of property adjacent to the expansion were also converted into a green space, and the center quadrangle will serve as the home field for the new Lady Flames Lacrosse team.
Josh Hill, a sophomore business student, expressed his excitement about the new developments.
“The business program at Lee has long been recognized as one of the school’s strongest departments,” Hill said. “This donation will help to finally get a building that meets the caliber of the program!”
Vice President of University Relations Dr. Jerome Hammond believes Regions’s contribution will help Lee achieve its goals.
“Lee University relies on the friendship of people who share our vision for higher education,” Hammond said. “Every student at Lee is ultimately benefiting from the realization of that vision. That’s what Lee University is – a vision come true.”
