President, Phil Cook & First Lady, Tonya Cook
On July 1, 2025, Dr. Phil Cook became the president of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Before Phil Cook ‘92 ever stepped onto Lee’s campus as a student, the university was already part of his family’s story. As a boy, he would pull his mother’s Vindagua—the Lee yearbook—off the shelf, captivated by the black-and-white faces and names on its pages. Though Joyce Paynter Cook spent just one year at Lee, the experience left a lasting impression—one that would ultimately shape the path of future generations in her family. “I memorized the names of the people pictured beside her,” Cook recalls. “There was something in those pages that was calling me—even then.”
Decades later, that early curiosity became a calling, culminating in his appointment as Lee University’s 18th president in July 2025. But for Dr. Phil Cook, this moment isn’t just a professional milestone—it’s the culmination of over three decades of purposeful preparation, service, and personal investment in the Lee story.
Called to Serve
Cook’s professional journey at Lee began in August 1993, when, at just 23 years old, he became Resident Director for 158 freshman men in Medlin Hall. That first year proved transformative, marked by the significant challenge of the Ellis Hall fire.
The experience shaped him profoundly, moving him from a young graduate to a true professional committed to serving students. The campus-wide response left an indelible mark: faculty, staff, and administrators all came together to care for displaced students, demonstrating the very best of the Lee community. For Cook, it was a season that solidified his sense of calling. It wasn’t just a job—it was destiny. After those impactful years in Residential Life, he went on to serve in Student Life, continuing to invest in students’ lives, before moving into Admissions, where he helped guide Lee through years of enrollment growth.
Cook served in senior leadership roles from 1997 to 2021, including a transformative tenure as vice president for enrollment. His relational approach, strategic insight, and tireless energy helped expand Lee’s national and international profile. In every role, he led with a conviction that “people matter”—a simple principle that shaped more than two decades of service.
Faith, Family, and Lee
Cook’s story is inextricably linked to that of Tonya Meridieth Cook ‘92. Originally from Hapeville, Georgia, Tonya met Phil on their very first day of freshman English class in the Walker Memorial Building—a moment that marked the start of a lifelong partnership. They began dating in their sophomore year, eventually married, and built a shared legacy anchored in their Lee experience. Tonya devoted 14 years to serving the university, most notably in the Academic Support Office, where her steady kindness and genuine compassion helped countless students overcome challenges and flourish. Phil and Tonya’s story at Lee didn’t end with their own college days; it became the foundation for their family’s ongoing connection to the university. They have three adult children, each of whom graduated from Lee and built their own rich experiences in the classroom and beyond. “All of their experiences were excellent academically,” Phil shares. “They loved being part of the Lee Singers, and they all found community through Greek life.” Each one embraced different levels of leadership and involvement, but all found a sense of belonging and purpose rooted in Lee’s culture. The Cook family is part of a cherished tradition of Lee couples who met during their college years and built their lives around shared faith, purpose, and Lee memories. All three of Phil and Tonya’s children have married fellow Lee alumni, continuing that legacy. Meridieth ‘19 and her husband, Michael Palmer ‘19, are parents to two-year-old Cal; Megan ‘21 and her husband, Christopher Chittom ‘21, have a 10-month-old daughter, Sutton; and Drew ‘23 and his wife, Katherine Terpstra Cook ‘23, are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first son, Phillip “Samuel” Cook IV, this October. For the Cooks, Lee University is far more than where their story began—it’s where their family was shaped, strengthened, and continues to grow. “For us, it’s always been faith, family, and Lee,” Cook reflects. “This isn’t just where our story began—it’s where it keeps growing.”
Leadership Beyond the Lee Campus
In 2021, Cook brought his commitment to Christian higher education to the national stage as president and CEO of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP). In that role, he partnered with hundreds of Christ-centered institutions to promote ethical enrollment practices, strengthen leadership development, and navigate a shifting educational landscape. This experience didn’t just expand his professional scope—it broadened his vision and deepened his understanding of institutional leadership. Reflecting on that journey, he says, “I wasn’t just preparing to lead somewhere. I was being
prepared to come back. I believe this calling—to serve as president of my alma mater—has been unfolding for decades.”