Dr. Jean Eledge
Dr. Jean Eledge has been awarded the rank of “Distinguished Professor of French” by the Lee University Board of Directors. This title is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of Lee’s faculty.
Dr. Eledge is one of only six professors in Lee’s history to be awarded the title of “Distinguished Professor.” She joins Bob Barnett, Debbie Murray, and Carolyn Dirksen as active members of the faculty who bear this title.
"Jean Eledge is an exemplar of what a college professor should be, especially at a school which seeks to combine academic excellence with a Christ-centered commitment to students,” said Lee president Dr. Paul Conn. “She is a terrific classroom teacher and a gifted leader. We are so fortunate that she has spent so much of her career here at Lee.”
Dr. Eledge joined Lee’s faculty of Language and Literature in 1990. Having previously been recognized as a high school Tennessee Teacher of the Year during her time at Cleveland High School, she went on to receive the Lee University Excellence in Teaching Award in 1995.
She holds a doctorate in foreign language curriculum/instruction and a master’s degree in French from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Her bachelor’s degree, also in French, is from Carson-Newman University. Dr. Eledge provides leadership to the campus in various capacities through her role as chair of the Department of Language and Literature.
Her teaching, research and presentations focus primarily on effective teaching, the integration of faith and learning, and leadership studies. She currently teaches the capstone course for all foreign language and TESOL majors.