Michael Mathis, right, and Ken Dew, center, presenting a $100,000 gift to Lee Lee University from Regions to Dr. Paul Conn
Earlier this month, both Regions Bank and Regions Foundation gave a joint contribution of $100,000 to Lee University in support of the Find Us Faithful capital campaign for the South Campus Expansion. This donation was presented by Michael Mathis, president of Regions Bank Chattanooga, and Ken Dew, president of Regions Bank Cleveland.
“We are glad when we can step up and help with projects like this and partner with neighboring businesses like Lee,” said Mr. Dew. “The work Lee does makes our community better, and we are happy to partner with them in that work.”
The campaign features a state-of-the-art building for the School of Nursing and development of the adjacent property, including renovation of the former First Baptist Church building for the business program and a clock tower, all surrounding a quadrangle and connected to the existing campus with walkways and landscaping. This southern end of the now 100+ acre campus is adjacent to downtown Cleveland, thereby connecting Lee more closely with local life.
“This is the final piece of a critically important campus expansion,” said Dr. Paul Conn, Lee University president. “Even while expanding, our focus through this campaign has been on being great neighbors. It means the world to us for great neighbors like Regions of Cleveland and Chattanooga to affirm that focus and help us finish strong.”
This project will provide an educational opportunity for 400 nursing students and improved facilities for over 470 business students at Lee. It will also help to address the region’s nursing shortage by increasing the number of bachelor’s-trained nurses prepared to enter the health care workforce. In addition, several acres of property adjacent to this expansion were cleared and revitalized, converted into green space. The quadrangle at the heart of the property will be the home field for Lee’s new Lady Flames Lacrosse team.