Walker challenges Lee family to become light-bearers in inaugural address
All photos by Christopher Vega.
Dr. Mark L. Walker was officially inaugurated as the 17th president of Lee University on Friday, April 23. Walker is succeeding Chancellor Dr. Paul Conn, who served as the university’s president for 34 years. Walker began his presidency in August, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, official celebrations were postponed.
According to Dr. Debbie Murray, provost and vice president for academic affairs, this is the school’s first inauguration ceremony since 1986 and the fifth formal ceremony in the school’s history.
Dr. Justin Walker opened the inauguration ceremony in prayer, noting the new beginning in Lee University’s history.
“The inauguration of a new president is one of the most significant events in the life of a university,” said Dr. Shane Griffith, associate dean and professor of business. “And like in our personal lives, important moments like this give us an opportunity for reflection. We pause to remember the past, to examine the present and to dream about the future.”
Dr. Tim Hill, the Church of God general overseer, Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks and Cleveland Vice-mayor Avery Johnson spoke at the inauguration, wishing Dr. Walker well. Several faculty members, local government employees, community members, alumni and current students also expressed their support for the newly inaugurated president.
Dhuranique Ferguson, a senior exercise science and pre-athletic training major, spoke on behalf of the student body at Walker’s inauguration.
“As students, we recognize our role in our university, and we will continue to uphold the mission and vision of Lee,” said Ferguson. “We will use the knowledge and skills we gained during our time here to not just be critical thinkers but to be students that take ethical action.”
In her speech, Ferguson said as the university embarks on this new era together, students desire to be understood and trusted by their new president. Ferguson asked Walker to seek to understand the student body and said the student body will do the same for him.
Ferguson said the student body is aware of the president’s burdensome position. Secondly, Ferguson asked Walker to continually puts his faith and trust in God while also trusting in the student body.
“As students, we have seen Dr. Walker continually put his confidence and trust in God while simultaneously trusting his students to be bold and competent leaders of change on this campus and in the world,” said Ferguson. “I trust and hope that Dr. Walker will approach this new journey with grace, accountability and truth.”
During his inaugural address, Walker noted five fundamental commitments he hopes the university will focus on in the future: mission excellence, academic expansion, student and community engagement, program innovation and ministerial development.
“Lee University’s mission of preparing students for responsible Christian living in a complex world is vital to our society today,” said Walker. “We are sending forth light-bearers into all fields of endeavor to lead and serve like Christ for the betterment of all humanity. I believe with all my heart that the world needs Lee University like never before … The world is a better place with Lee students in it.”
Walker said the desire to be the light in a complex world has been present since Lee’s beginning in 1918. Within his five fundamental commitments, Walker said he sees three strategic areas upon which the university must focus its curricular and co-curricular activities. These focuses are apologetics, leadership development and racial and ethnic relations.
“We want our students to be more than passive bystanders in the engagement of cultural thought. We want them to be influential leaders,” said Walker.
During the Investiture, Jerry Madden, a member of the Board of Directors, presented Walker with the Investiture Bible, originally owned by Lee’s second president, F.J. Lee.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lee University, I present to you this Holy Bible,” said Madden. “May your decisions be based on its truths, may your leadership be built upon its presets, and may your life find its foundation upon its principles, so that your presidency may bring glory to God and advance the good of humanity.”
Dennis Livingston, chair of the Board of Directors, presented Walker with the Presidential Medallion.
Chancellor Conn, who officially resigned as president in 2020, noted the talented team of administrators, brilliant faculty and loyal board members that support and guide the president. Conn also expressed his full faith in Walker.
“We need an individual who will share our aspirations and give clarity and focus to our dreams,” said Conn. “We need someone who will stimulate and challenge us intellectually, someone who can give voice to our moral and spiritual commitments, someone who energizes and inspires us to grow and achieve. That’s what we have in Dr. Walker.”
The inauguration featured several pre-recorded musical performances from various on-campus ensembles, featuring the Lee University Wind Ensemble, Voices of Lee and the Lee Festival Choir and Orchestra.
To view the full inauguration ceremony, click here.
