UA Little Rock honors George and Joni Lee for decades of service
January 6-12, 2025
By Angelita Faller
After a combined 64 years of service to UA Little Rock, George and Joni Lee will retire from UA Little Rock this year, leaving a legacy of leadership, growth, and dedication to the university they have called home since the 1980s.
Joni Lee, vice chancellor of university affairs, retires after 36 years of service. A UA Little Rock alumna, she began her journey as a Donaghey Scholar and quickly became immersed in public policy and legislative work through internships and research opportunities.
Her career evolved alongside the university’s needs. She’s worked for five chancellors and helped establish offices for legislative relations, community engagement, and federal relations. Under her guidance, UA Little Rock secured approximately $90 million in congressional appropriations to enhance its research capabilities.
“This place kept evolving, and that is the cool part about it,” Joni said. “I got to grow alongside the university to meet new needs, whether it was legislative advocacy, community engagement, or supporting research that impacts not just our students but the nation.”
George Lee, senior associate athletic director for business operations, is retiring after 28 years with Little Rock Athletics. A lifelong supporter of the university, George was first introduced to UA Little Rock as a child when his mother pursued her degree as a nontraditional student, and George and his younger brother would accompany her to campus when she took night classes. Over the years, he played a pivotal role in expanding the university’s athletics program, helping it evolve into a competitive Division I institution.
“When I started in 1996, our athletics department was much smaller,” George said. “Now, every sport we offer has the opportunity to compete for championships.”
Building a Life and Legacy at UA Little Rock
The couple’s connection to UA Little Rock is deeply personal. Joni and George’s journey with UA Little Rock began in 1983 when they moved to Little Rock as newlyweds to pursue their education.
“It was a different place then. When we first registered for classes, you still used the old IBM punch cards,” Joni recalled. “I remember finding one of our old tuition bills, and it was $450 for the semester. We took (Chancellor Emeritus) Joel Anderson’s American National Government class together. He loved the Federalist Papers. It was his favorite topic.”
Both graduated in 1987 while juggling school, work, and internships. Joni, recruited as part of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, was drawn to UA Little Rock for its proximity to government and politics.
“I knew I needed to be in Little Rock to have the types of opportunities I was interested in,” she said.
Joni’s career trajectory reflected UA Little Rock’s evolving priorities. From spearheading legislative relations to overseeing community engagement and federal initiatives, she has been instrumental in shaping the university’s role as a leader in education, research, and community development.
Among her proudest achievements are the establishment of the University District and securing federal funding for projects like the nanotechnology center and cybersecurity research.
“These programs don’t just impact our students; they have national significance,” she said.
Her work also extended to service learning. She helped create the Herschel Friday Fellows Program, which provided students with hands-on opportunities in public service.
“It’s rewarding to run into those students and see how their experiences shaped their careers,” she reflected.
George joined UA Little Rock Athletics in 1996, initially as the department’s business operations manager. Over nearly three decades, he helped the athletics program grow from a small operation to a robust Division I program with a reputation for excellence.
Under his leadership, UA Little Rock’s athletics earned historic accolades, including winning the Commissioner’s Cup in the Ohio Valley Conference.
For George, the relationships built with student-athletes, coaches, and colleagues are what stand out most.
“Seeing assistant coaches return as head coaches or student-athletes come back to coach—it’s rewarding to know you’ve played a part in their journey,” he said.
Although George and Joni worked in different areas of the university, their shared love for UA Little Rock has been a constant.
“We’ve always been in different spheres,” George said. “We’ve probably had lunch together on campus 10 times in 20 years, but we’ve shared a deep connection to this place.”
Their son and daughter grew up on campus, attending sporting events and summer camps. Today, their grandchildren are involved in programs like the Summer Laureate University for Youth, continuing the family’s connection to UA Little Rock.
As they enter retirement, the Lees plan to travel, spend time with their four grandchildren who all live within six blocks, and focus on community service. George and Joni have been active on projects regarding food insecurity and homelessness through church-based efforts and hope to continue those in retirement.
“We feel grateful to retire together and step into this new phase while staying connected to the causes we care about,” she said.
Their dedication to UA Little Rock will continue as they remain loyal supporters.
“There’s no great city without a great university,” George emphasized. “We’ll always be cheering for UA Little Rock and watching its progress with pride.”
Photo Caption:
George and Joni Lee are retiring from UA Little Rock after 64 years of combined service.
Photo Credit: (Photo provided)
