Dr. Paul Conn reflects on his legacy of growth and campus unity
Photo by Taylor Baker.
Since the beginning of his presidency in 1986, Dr. Paul Conn has cultivated an architectural unity throughout Lee University. Distinguished by its bespoke blend of red brick, this carefully crafted aesthetic permeates nearly every corner of campus.
Earlier this month, Conn announced his final year of a presidency marked by growth and construction. During his tenure, Conn has prioritized his vision of a campus where students come first, further molding Lee into the institution it is today.
“This is my home, and Lee is my life,” Conn said. “I am not about being a college president. I am not about being an administrator. I am about being called to Lee.”
Initially as a faculty member at Lee, Conn was content teaching psychology and writing on the side. With a growing family, he took a chance at the opportunity to lead in hopes of bringing new change to campus.
“In a month, I went from somebody that never thought about [presidency] to somebody that thought, ‘you know, I love this place. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. If I should get a chance to lead, I believe I’d like to take a crack at it,’” Conn said.
Stepping into the presidency, Conn inherited a compact campus. Surrounding the Ped Mall were Nora-Simmons, Cross-Tharp, the Administration Building, Walker Memorial and the Vest Building.
“There were some other buildings that were torn down — an older music building, a dining hall, and a dorm that was burned down courtesy of some of our ‘friends’ in the neighborhood,” Conn said. “All the rest of [campus] didn’t exist.”
As renovations and expansions were needed, Conn first implemented the construction of Sharp-Davis Hall in 1989, beginning with the Davis Hall wing. Davis was initially meant to be a men’s dorm connected with Sharp through shared common spaces.
“The rooms are 11 inches longer on the Davis Hall side than the Sharp Hall side … because men are taller than women, and dorm beds are a few inches longer,” Conn said.
Despite Conn’s initial plans, the possibility of a “co-ed” dorm on a Christian campus was met with opposition, and Sharp-Davis became an all-female dorm.
“When I announced we are building this big new dorm with men and women under the same roof, people went crazy. They started saying ‘co-ed’ dorm. It’s not a ‘co-ed’ dorm. It is two dorms sharing some common space, but I couldn’t sell that idea,” Conn said.
With each new building, Conn began to center the visual style around “red brick, white columns and portico roofs.” Over the next 30 years, he continually endeavored to craft a campus with a sense of structural unity.
“[What] people love about our campus, that we get a lot of praise for, is that there is a consistency,” Conn said. “I wanted the campus to feel traditional. I didn’t want it to feel modern. I wanted it to feel like a college campus with the traditional red brick and column look.”
While Lee’s campus has primarily grown into this aesthetic, the Stone Chapel breaks this mold with its weathered exterior and vintage style. Built out of a desire for a space that could bring people together, the Chapel remains as Conn’s favorite building on campus.
“The Chapel wasn’t on our list of had-to-have buildings like we had to have the Science and Math Complex and Nursing Building, but the Chapel is a luxury,” Conn said. “It’s a lovely space where wonderful events occur. It was in my heart for years.”
Focusing his attention and time on students, the Paul Conn Student Union (PCSU) was built in 2000. It now serves as a physical representation of Conn’s heart and passion for Lee students.
“When we decided to build a new student union, the board said, ‘look, you’re all about students.’ It would be a shame to have a building — and for a building that is named for you — not to be the student building,” Conn said.
But as the momentum of campus growth continues, Conn’s presidency is finding its conclusion. On Nov. 5, Conn announced he would be transitioning to a new role as Chancellor following the 2019-2020 school year.
“I am horrified by the idea that I might just be remembered for bricks and mortar … because that’s what gets people’s attention,” Conn said. “I would like for my legacy to be that ‘he really liked students, cared for students, took the time to teach students, and preached in chapel with students.’”
Conn remains adamant that he is “not going anywhere,” but instead is stepping into this new role where he can remain at his “home.”
As emotions run through campus amid this transition, Conn reassures students and faculty his presence on campus will remain.
“I will be at graduation. I will sign your Bible. I just won’t be president,” Conn said. “If anything, it will give more time to interact and engage with students … to share the life of this campus with them. I did it for 15 years before I became president, and I hope — Lord willing — I will be able to do it for several years after I’m president,” Conn said.
Looking forward, Conn hints at the future of Lee’s campus for the remainder of his presidency.
“We’re doing this track and field project, and that’s a difficult project. It’ll be a full-size soccer field and a lacrosse field to use for intramurals. We’re going to try and do those projects between now and next fall,” said Conn. “Then we’re going to do a redo of the grounds around Mayfield Annex. Also, we need a nice big student rec center. The one now was built twenty years ago, and it’s too small and inadequate.”
Ending his presidency with the same mindset that began it, Conn looks ahead with anticipation for what is to come but knows that his heart remains in the same place it began.
“This is the work I love, at the place I love, with the people I love,” Conn said. “My position and title will change, but not my heart.”
