After serving as interim president since 2007, Dr. Joseph Lee was inaugurated as president of Saint Joseph’s College in Standish Oct. 24.

Lee served as vice president of enrollment management at Saint Joseph’s before replacing former president Dr. David House, who resigned in May 2007.

In his inaugural address, Lee talked about the challenge of keeping tuition affordable for students and families while keeping the college’s budget under control, given rising health and energy costs. Lee also wondered what effects the uncertainty in the economy might have on the college’s endowment, ability to borrow and on benefactors of the college.

In beginning to reshape the college’s strategic plan, Lee said several broad goals have been identified, including further developing the college’s Catholic identity, growing the student body to 1,200 students, building the endowment and encouraging a vibrant student life.

Lee, the only college president serving in Maine who was born in the state, spoke to an audience including Gov. John Baldacci.

A Windham resident, Lee has been an administrator in Catholic higher education for 35 years at Merrimack College in Massachusetts, Manhattan College in New York, and Thomas More College in Kentucky.

“Our strengths are many, our challenges real,” Lee said.

Student Government Association President Amber Chembars presents Dr. Joseph Lee with a framed copy of the college’s core values of respect, faith, justice, community, integrity, compassion and excellence at the Oct. 24 inauguration ceremony for President Lee.