You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
RESOLUTION TO HONORPRESIDENT EMERITUS CHARLES W. CONNCommencement, May 2008<strong>Lee</strong> students stand atattention in front of ConnCenter as the funeralprocession for Dr. Connpasses through.WHEREAS Charles W. Conn served as President of <strong>Lee</strong> College from 1970-1982,during the crucial years when <strong>Lee</strong>’s institutional identity was in transition from afirmly established Bible school to a fledgling liberal arts collegeWHEREAS he kept <strong>Lee</strong> faithful to its Christ-centered mission through his passionand respect for the power and authority of Scripture and through his great personaldevotion to the Lordship of ChristWHEREAS he preached the Word to the <strong>Lee</strong> community with intelligence and insight,demonstrating both the possibility and the necessity of loving God with one’s mindWHEREAS he lived out the model of Christian scholarship with vision and passionthough his continued research, writing and publishing, serving as a living exampleof the integration of the life of the spirit and the life of the mindWHEREAS he motivated the emergence of the liberal arts through his love ofliterature and music and history and empowered the liberal arts faculty through hisunderstanding that pursuit of knowledge in all fields can be faith-affirming since“all truth is God’s truth”WHEREAS he directed the development of a curriculum that would produce competentChristian professionals to be ministers of God’s grace whether in the pulpit or inthe classroom or in business or the performing arts or wherever God might lead themWHEREAS he developed the physical campus withthe addition of such central features as the ConnCenter and Alumni Park and garnered the denomination’sfinancial support for the construction of thelibrary.WHEREAS he affirmed cultural diversity and the roleof women in a time of great controversy and welcomedstudents from around the world and from thefull range of American subcultures, laying the foundationfor an institutional culture of inclusionBoard ChairmanDr. Darrell Rice readsthe resolution duringcommencement.WHEREAS he opened <strong>Lee</strong> to the wider world of highereducation by connecting in meaningful ways withthe Council for Christian Colleges and Universities,the Council for Independent Colleges and the SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools, bringing <strong>Lee</strong>into a significant dialogue with peer institutionsWHEREAS he served as <strong>Lee</strong>’s first and only President Emeritus, continuing to sharehis wisdom, insight and love with the <strong>Lee</strong> Community long after his retirementBE IT, THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of <strong>Lee</strong> <strong>University</strong> expressour sincere gratitude for his courage and foresight, for his generosity of spirit and hispassion for learning that have influenced the culture and shaped the destiny of <strong>Lee</strong><strong>University</strong>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we honor the legacy of Charles W. Conn and officiallyrecognize his momentous and foundational contribution to this institution.TORCH • <strong>Summer</strong> 20087
Change language