Dr. Alvin “Bud” Austin, University Chancellor and former president of LeTourneau University, will offer the commencement address for Lee University’s summer graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 30.
Dr. Austin served as president from 1986-2007 when he was named University Chancellor. One of his early contributions as president was the establishment of the Research and Advanced Development Institute. Under his leadership, LeTourneau College became a university and the quality of the faculty increased as the school continued to combine technology, engineering, and liberal arts with a strong Christian commitment.
Before LeTourneau, Dr. Austin was vice president for Institutional Advancement at North Park College and Theological Seminary ... in Chicago, served as vice president for Student Affairs at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, was dean of Student Programs at California State University in Northridge, Calif. and vice president for Student Affairs at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Tex.
Dr. Austin's leadership has included serving as chair of the Board of Directors of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. He has been a member of the Council of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.
He earned his PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Mississippi, Master of Arts in Education from California State University in Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree from Westmont College.
Graduation exercises will begin on Friday, July 29, with the commissioning service at 6:30 p.m. Commencement will take place Saturday morning, July 30, at 10:30 a.m. Both events will be held in the Conn Center.
For more information on Lee’s graduation exercises, please contact Angeline McMullin at 614-8117.