McMinnville native Dr. Dewayne Thompson was recently awarded the rank of Distinguished Professor of Business Administration by the Lee University Board of Directors.

This title is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a member of Lee’s faculty. 

Thompson is one of only eight professors in Lee’s history to be awarded the title of Distinguished Professor. 

Thompson served as the chair of Lee’s Department of Business from 2006 to 2017 and as the first dean of the School of Business when it became a school in 2017. He has served in leadership positions at the university for 20 years and is in his 39th year as a faculty member.

He has been listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and received Lee’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 1987. 

In 2013, he was named the International Winner for Teaching Excellence by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. He also functions as a site evaluator to determine if universities and schools meet accreditation standards and is a mentor to assist schools through the accreditation process.

He has been on the board of directors for the Family Resource Agency, The Caring Place, ATS the Bridge, and Chamber of Commerce, in addition to serving on various other community committees and councils. He is also a task force member for Cleveland Vision 2030 and an active member at Westmore Church of God.

Thompson has taught or led business ethics and strategic management seminars in China, Paraguay, and Ukraine. 

He received his Doctor of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, his Master of Business Administration from MTSU, and his Bachelor of Science from Lee College.

He and his wife, Cathy, have two daughters, Amie and Lauren, and two grandchildren. He enjoys reading and landscaping.