2001 Graphic Design Major Northern Kentucky University Art Building
By David E. Schroeder
Special to NKyTribune
Part 42 of Our Series: "Retrospect and Vista 2: Thomas More Higher/University, 1971-2021"
On June 14, 2000, Male parent William Cleves announced his resignation as president of Thomas More than Higher constructive at the completion of the following academic twelvemonth, 2000–2001. As a result, the procedure of searching for the twelfth president of the college began. Ted Robinson was appointed by the board of trustees to begin the search.
Dr. Eastward. Joseph Lee, Thomas More than president, 2001-2004. (TMU Archives)
The major goal of the committee was to find candidates who had the strengths of fundraising, collaboration, and potent administrative skills. Nether Robinson'south leadership, the commission sorted through dozens of applications that met these criteria. Once the listing was winnowed down and presented to the total board, the second stage of the projection began—relying heavily on listening. Listening sessions for the administration, staff, faculty, and students were all conducted. The finalists gave short presentations, so participants were able to ask questions. Detailed notes were taken and relayed back to the board of trustees.
Somewhen, 2 finalists came to the forefront. One of the those was Dr. E. Joseph Lee. Lee had strong support from the board members and mixed support from kinesthesia and staff. He had a long administrative career in college education but significantly less teaching experience. After much word and debate, the lath made the decision to appoint Dr. Lee as the president of Thomas More College.
On March 29, 2001, Robinson fabricated the official annunciation, stating, "The committee advisedly considered many qualified candidates for this position. Nosotros feel very strongly that Dr. Lee is the right person for many reasons. Maybe the most critical reason is that the opportunities and challenges facing Thomas More College seem to be those that could exist all-time met past a president with his background, expertise, and leadership manner." Lee would begin his official duties on June 1, 2001. The Kentucky Mail quoted Lee, who said, "I am excited to assume the presidency of Thomas More than College primarily because the mission of the college is one I tin can relate to and embrace."
Dr. Lee was a native of Bath, Maine. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in French Literature and a Master of Science in Instruction from St. Michael College in Winooski, Vermont. Lee's doctorate in philosophy was from Boston College. Dr. Lee had also attended the Harvard University Constitute for Educational Management.
Dr. E. Joseph Lee standing past portrait of St. Thomas More. (TMU Archives)
Prior to coming to Thomas More than, Dr. Lee had a lengthy career of evolving leadership positions in college education. He began his work in education in Worcester, Massachusetts at the College of the Holy Cross as an admissions counselor and later equally the assistant managing director of admissions at Supposition College. Between 1974 and 1976, Lee held the positions of managing director of career counseling and acting director of admissions at Framingham Country College in Framingham, Massachusetts. From 1976 to 1990, he served as dean of admissions and fiscal assist and later vice president for educatee services at Merrimack Higher in N Andover, Massachusetts. His final position before coming to Thomas More was vice president for student life at Manhattan College in Riversdale, New York. During his years at Manhattan College, Lee oversaw an increase in pupil applications of 35% and enrolled two of the largest freshmen classes in the institution's history.
The board of trustees, for the first time in the college'southward history, tied incentives to the president's contract. Dr. Lee was provided with a base salary and the use of a college-owned automobile and an expense account. In addition, he was eligible for a yearly bonus that was tied to performance. He would be reviewed by the board following the completion of his first 6 months on the task and on a yearly basis.
Dr. Lee's presidency proved a short 1. He began his official tenure on campus on June ane, 2001, and remained in the position until 2004. Despite the brief stay, he achieved a number of accomplishments that benefited the college.
One of the starting time issues Dr. Lee faced was the last reaccreditation procedure with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that the college had been working on since the previous year. Working closely with Vice President for Academic Diplomacy and Dean of the College, Dr. Dale K. Myers, this was achieved in 2001. Dr. Lee and then turned to other issues, including building fundraising relationships with community leaders. Many of these relationships ultimately proved fruitful.
Working with several members of the science kinesthesia, Dr. Lee successfully applied for a National Scientific discipline Foundation grant to build an observatory on campus. This funding, along with a generous grant from the Bank of Kentucky, resulted in the construction of the new country-of-the-art Banking concern of Kentucky Observatory. The building was designed by GBBN Architectural Firm and built past Century Construction. An open firm to officially dedicate the new facility occurred on June 5, 2003.
Banking concern of Kentucky Observatory, 2003. (TMU Archives)
Dr. Lee so turned his attention to the Thomas More Library (now the Benedictine Library). The facility was part of the original 1967 Crestview Hills campus and had received niggling attention for decades. The 36,000 square foot facility needed major electrical upgrades, a new ADA compliant elevator, more flexible student infinite, and upgraded technology. In December 2003, the college received a grant for $800,000 from the James Graham Brown Foundation. An boosted grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation pushed the higher closer to its goal of $1.8 million. That same year, GBBN Architectural House was commissioned to conduct a preliminary design.
Dr. Lee did non see the library project completed — that was left to his successor. Conflicts with the board of trustees, primarily over enrollment management issues, resulted in a strained relationship. Dr. Lee officially resigned every bit president of Thomas More than College in 2004.
Following his difference from Thomas More, Dr. Lee returned to his native New England. He later on served as president of St. Joseph Higher in Maine and is currently president of Leap Hill College in Alabama.
David Due east. Schroeder is Director of the Kenton County Public Library. He is the writer of Life Along the Ohio: A Sesquicentennial History of Ludlow, Kentucky (2014), coeditor of Gateway Metropolis: Covington, Kentucky, 1815-2015 (2015), and co-author of Lost Northern Kentucky (2018).
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Source: https://www.nkytribune.com/2022/04/our-rich-history-the-presidency-of-dr-e-joseph-lee-at-thomas-more-college-2001-2004/