SAMANTHA TROUP | staff writer

You know them as the Place of Prayer donors, but who are Jack and Barbara Lee and what inspired their donation?

Valentine’s Day 2007 marked a memorable date in APU history. It was the groundbreaking for the Barbara and Jack Lee Place of Prayer.

Yet for Barbara Lee that Valentine’s Day marked so much more than a simple groundbreaking. It was a realization of a dream, a last culmination of her body’s physical energies and a reminder of how loved she was.

“I honestly believe she willed herself through the groundbreaking,” Executive Vice President David Bixby said.

At 11 pm that night, Barbara Lee passed away, after celebrating her favorite holiday and 64th wedding anniversary by giving one last gift to the students that she loved so much.

Building the Place of Prayer on West Campus meant a lot to the Lees. Barbara Lee wanted students to have a place on West campus as well, where they could relax with God. She also strongly believed in the foundational four cornerstones of APU and the Place of Prayer was built in such a way that it’s four cornerstones could be seen from a distance.

The Place of Prayer is a legacy to Barbara Lee, a woman who lived a life devoted to helping others.

But donating the funds to build the Place of Prayer is only one way that the Lees have contributed to APU over the years.

“This was really like a legacy gift that kind of built on her life of commitment,” Executive Director of Development in the Office of University Advancement Louise Furrow said.

The Lees have also contributed to the Lee Scholars and the Valentines Fund, created to help students in crisis.

Barbara also served on the Board of Trustees for 13 years.

She was deeply attached to APU students.

According to Furrow, Barbara constantly received prayer requests and prayed over the requests for years.

“They [the Lees] were a classic example of a man and woman deeply in love and committed to Kingdom principles,” Bixby said. “They’re legacy is one of amazing generosity, their three children, and their commitment to the Church.”