When you’re choosing a college, it’s not just about academics — it’s about the experience. Who will you meet? Where will you live? What will life feel like outside the classroom?
At Lee University, located in the heart of Cleveland, Tennessee, campus life is more than just dorms and dining halls. It’s a vibrant, faith-centered community where students grow, serve, worship, and build lifelong friendships.
In this article, we’ll give you an inside look at what it’s really like to live and learn at Lee — from residence halls and campus traditions to student organizations and spiritual life.
Life in Cleveland, Tennessee
Before we dive into Lee’s campus, let’s talk about the surrounding community.
📍 Cleveland, TN:
- A safe, friendly college town with a population of around 45,000
- Located 30 minutes from Chattanooga and 2 hours from Atlanta
- Close to the Great Smoky Mountains, hiking trails, and rivers
- Home to restaurants, coffee shops, churches, and local events
Lee’s location strikes the perfect balance between peaceful, small-town charm and easy access to big-city life and outdoor adventure.
Residence Life: Dorms at Lee University
Lee University offers on-campus housing for freshmen and upperclassmen, with dorm options that promote community, cleanliness, and spiritual growth.
🏡 First-Year Housing Includes:
- Bowdle/O’Bannon Halls (Men)
- Nora Chambers/McClellan Halls (Women)
- Shared bathrooms, laundry facilities, lounges, and study areas
- Residence assistants (RAs) lead small groups and dorm devotionals
🏘️ Upperclassmen Options:
- Living Learning Communities
- Apartment-style housing like Tharp Hall and B.L. Hicks
- Co-ed housing by floor (not by room)
🛏️ Lee has a strong campus culture — most students live on campus at least 2–3 years.
Dining and Food Options
🍽️ Dining Services:
- Deacon Jones Dining Hall (buffet-style)
- Einstein Bros. Bagels (on-campus café)
- Chick-fil-A Express (student favorite!)
- Coffee shops and local eateries nearby
Meal plans are included for residential students and offer flexibility for dietary needs.
Student Organizations and Clubs
With over 100 clubs and organizations, you’re guaranteed to find your place at Lee.
🎯 Popular Clubs:
- Greek social clubs (not the traditional party scene — more faith- and service-oriented)
- Campus Choir, Lee Singers, and other performance groups
- Student Leadership Council (SLC)
- Academic honor societies
- Pre-professional organizations (Pre-Med, Pre-Law, etc.)
- Cultural clubs (Black Student Union, Latinx Association, etc.)
💬 “Getting involved is easy at Lee — and it’s the best way to make friends fast.”
Chapel and Spiritual Life
Lee is unapologetically Christian — and that shapes every part of student life.
🕊️ Required Chapel:
- Held twice a week
- Features worship, student testimonies, and guest speakers
- Diverse speakers from pastors to missionaries to professors
🔥 Small Groups & Ministry Opportunities:
- Residential dorm devotionals
- Service Saturdays
- Campus ministries like UChurch and DGroups
- Global missions trips and local outreach
You’ll grow spiritually alongside your peers — whether you’re leading a Bible study or praying in chapel.
Athletics and Intramurals
Whether you’re a student-athlete or just like to stay active, Lee has something for you.
⚽ NCAA Division II Varsity Teams:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Track & Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Volleyball
- Cross Country
- Golf
🏐 Intramurals and Fitness:
- Volleyball, dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, etc.
- On-campus recreation center with gym and group fitness classes
- Personal training available for students
🏆 Lee’s Lady Flames and Flames sports teams regularly compete at the national level!
Arts, Music, and Performance
Lee’s arts scene is alive and thriving.
🎶 Performance Opportunities:
- Voices of Lee (world-renowned a cappella group)
- Symphonic Band
- Campus Choir
- Lee Theatre
- Art exhibitions
Even if you’re not majoring in music or theatre, you can still audition and get involved.
Safety and Campus Support
Lee University offers a safe, secure environment backed by:
- 24/7 campus security
- Emergency blue-light systems
- Campus-wide health and counseling services
- Free mental health counseling and spiritual care
Events and Traditions
Some campus experiences are uniquely “Lee” — and students love them.
🎉 Favorite Traditions:
- Dorm Wars – a giant dorm competition held annually
- Homecoming Weekend – with concerts, games, and reunions
- UChurch Worship Nights – open to the entire campus
- Greek Week – with fun contests and community service
- Lee Day – open house for prospective students, including concerts and giveaways
These events make campus feel alive, tight-knit, and full of energy.
A Day in the Life: What It’s Really Like
Here’s a sample day in the life of a Lee University student:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Wake up and head to breakfast in the dining hall |
| 9:00 AM | Attend a psychology class |
| 10:30 AM | Chapel service in the Conn Center |
| 12:00 PM | Grab lunch with friends and study at the library |
| 2:00 PM | Group project meeting for business class |
| 4:00 PM | Gym or intramural game |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner in town or on-campus Chick-fil-A |
| 7:30 PM | Dorm devotional or student-led worship night |
| 9:00 PM | Study session or chill at the student center |
🤝 You’ll rarely feel bored — life at Lee is full of connection, purpose, and movement.
Testimonials from Students
“Living on campus helped me build friendships that turned into lifelong community.”
— Sarah D., Class of 2024
“I came for the academics, but I stayed for the people. There’s no place like Lee.”
— Marcus L., Class of 2025
External Resources
- Lee University Campus Life
- Virtual Campus Tour
- Lee Housing & Residence Life
- Campus Ministries at Lee
Conclusion
Life at Lee University is more than just getting a degree — it’s about being part of something bigger. You’ll live in a Christ-centered community, build authentic friendships, grow in your faith, and prepare to impact the world.
Whether it’s in the chapel, the dorms, the classroom, or a missions trip, Lee is a place where students become leaders — and believers become doers.