Every semester, students receive their diploma, walk across the stage and move their tassel from right to left. This moment may be short, but the significance it carries will last forever.
This year, 569 students will graduate in May during Lee’s 187th commencement ceremony. For some, this is the end to a chapter that has been decades in creating.
“My parents went to Lee, so I always knew about the school, but I didn’t decide to go here until the Lord opened up so many doors for it to happen,” said Carolyn Carpenter, senior communication major and member of Delta Zeta Tau and Upsilon Xi. “I primarily chose Lee for the family-like atmosphere and Christ-centered community.”
Throughout her four years here at Lee, Carpenter found the concept of community played a significant role in shaping her overall college experience.
“One thing that I have learned to value while being here is the importance of community. There are so many clubs and organizations here that you can be a part of, and it will stretch your capacity in a way that reflects Christ’s life,” Carpenter said. “You can’t do life alone, and we weren’t created to live alone. Having people in your life that push you to be better, cry with you, walk with you through hard times, and humbly correct you, is so crucial.”
Carpenter is from Senoia, Georgia, and is known around campus for her personable, outgoing personality — which eventually led her to Greek life.
“Being a part of, not only one, but two Greek clubs here at Lee, I have gained relationships that will last a lifetime. The opportunities I’ve had while serving in these clubs have molded me into a better woman of God,” she said. “I have been greatly impacted by the truths and foundations of these clubs that point everyone back to Jesus and how to serve others.”
After spending much of her time in college building relationships and studying communication skills, Carpenter has an optimistic outlook on life after graduation.
“My dream is to travel and serve in ministry in whatever capacity, but ultimately go wherever the Lord may lead me in this life,” she said. “I am currently working part-time at a non-profit here in Cleveland called Men and Women of Action, and I plan on stepping into full-time after graduation.”
Also eager to graduate this spring is NaKeia Burks, a graduate student from Huntsville, Alabama. Burks served as the graduate assistant for the Lee women’s basketball team for the last two years and is finishing up her masters degree in higher education administration. Prior to coming to Lee, Burks attended the University of Chattanooga where she received her undergraduate degree in middle grades math and played Division I basketball.
“Being at a private institution, because I had been in public schools my entire life, has had a lot of effect on how I see the world,” said Burks. “Being able to come back to the college atmosphere has been so much fun, and just being able to talk about my faith and walk my truth openly at a university has been one of the most exciting things about my position here.”
Though basketball has always played a special role in Burks’ life, the opportunity to coach the game was not originally on her radar.
“Once I finished playing (basketball) I got into coaching. I never thought I would be a coach, which is crazy to think now,” she said. “I coached high school for a year, and I loved it, but I wanted to get back into the college feel. I eventually came down here for an interview and it just felt right; it felt like home … I don’t think I’ve been around a better group of people in a really long time.”
While being heavily invested in her coaching position, one may think it would be difficult to redirect attention back to the classroom. However, this is not the case for Burks, as she claims her professors have impacted her in drastic ways.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Lawson and Dr. Estes. Seeing Dr. Estes at city council meetings with my class in that aspect and in that light was just super cool,” Burks said. “And Dr. Lawson says all the time, ‘don’t try to be Jesus, but act like Him’, and I think just being able to talk about my faith at work and in class has really had a huge impact on my life and how I want to treat people and how I want people to treat me. They just played a huge part in my journey here, it’s been great.”
After graduation, Burks hopes to blend her coaching career with educational leadership.
“I want to keep coaching for sure, and eventually I would love to work in an athletic department and really focus on student athlete development,” Burks said. “I just want to be able to give that part of my life back to current athletes.”
Andrew Easterling, president of the Lee University Chorale and a member of the Theatre Honor Society, Alpha Psi Omega, was introduced to Lee through a friend back home in Trussville, Alabama. Easterling set out for a visit during one of Lee’s frontlines and quickly decided to return.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, my mother and I looked at each other and said that this was where the Lord wanted me to be!” Easterling said.
Easterling, will be graduating in May and will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.
“Being in Lee theatre and chorale, as well as previously being involved in opera theatre, has truly shaped me into the musician and person I am today,” he said. “Not only have I been able to grow as a musician by being challenged, I’ve learned so much about myself as a person and about my faith. It has made me realize how lucky I am to have these opportunities and how much I share my love and passion, and as well as the love of Christ with others! That would be my greatest honor and privilege!”
Easterling starred as the lead character in numerous plays for Lee’s theatre program, as well as devoting much of his time and passion toward Lee Chorale.
“My favorite part about being a Lee student has been the many opportunities that the Lord has granted me through the university and the ensemble and shows I have been in. I never thought I would be able to be doing some of the stuff I am now, and Lee has provided that foundation for me through Christ,” Easterling said.
After graduation in May, Easterling hopes to pursue an administrative job in college admissions, while pursuing a professional performing career.
In May, Ashley Wilson will be the first in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. After earning her associate degree at a community college back home in Winter Haven, Florida, Wilson found her way to Lee in 2020.
“I knew I wanted a Christian education, but I also wanted to see more of the country outside of Florida. I went to a church in high school that was Church of God, so that’s how I heard about Lee and eventually went to Frontline,” Wilson said.
Wilson is an intercultural studies major with a minor in non-profit, and a peer mentor for LEAP (Learn Engage Achieve Program) which seeks to serve selected undergraduate students that may be low-income, first-generation, or have a documented disability.
“We host events like ‘Latte in the Library’ where we will invite professors and students to share their stories, as most of them are first gens,” Wilson said. “I just love hearing everyone’s experiences and hanging out with my fellow mentees.”
Not only is the motto, “Faith over Feelings” displayed on her social media accounts, but is a true portrayal of how Wilson chooses to live her life through striving to understand more about the Christian faith.
“My first semester here I took Old Testament with Dr. (Justin) Walker and Dr. Moore, and it felt like I was learning about the secrets of the universe; it was just so cool,” Wilson said. “The way they both explained the Bible and Christianity was so beautiful. It was taught in a way that I never got from the church, and that was my first semester here, so it has affected the rest of my time at Lee.”
Wilson’s main priority after graduation is to help and witness to others.
“Intercultural studies is all about learning how to contextualize the gospel to different cultures, whether that’s overseas or in cities in America,” Wilson said. “So I started the program thinking I wanted to do missions, but now I would love to work at a Christian non-profit. I would love to practice all the things that I’ve learned in my classes in reflecting the love of God to people in holistic ways and addressing the practical needs of others – whether that’s providing food, shelter, or counseling.”
Graduation will be held on the South Quad, Saturday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. The Graduate Hooding Ceremony and Commissioning will take place the previous afternoon, starting at 4:30 p.m.
