Lee University students Madison Box and Megan Wimpelberg have been named the 2017 recipients of the Carolyn Payne Scholarship, announced by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn in a chapel service.
Awarded annually to two female rising juniors, the Carolyn Payne Scholarship was established in memory of the late Carolyn Payne, a close family friend of Dr. Conn and his wife Darlia. Funds for the annual scholarship have been provided by members of the Payne family since 1989.
Candidates are nominated by faculty members and then selected by a scholarship committee. Criteria for the award include leadership, campus involvement, broadly-based student achievement, and service to others.
“Madison has an excitement for learning. She is not afraid to take on new challenges and does so with such a joyful attitude,” said Sara Evans, a sign language instructor in Lee’s Department of Early Childhood, Elementary & Special Education. “She definitely exhibits the joy of the Lord, and she brings such positivity to the classroom.”
Ms. Box is an elementary education major from Fyffe, Al. At Lee, she is involved in Lee Future Educators, the Greek service club Sigma Nu Sigma, and serves as a student worker for the Office of Church Relations. She also volunteers in the kindergarten classes at North Lee Elementary and works at Orange Blossom Boutique in Cleveland.
“When Dr. Conn told me that I would be a recipient of this scholarship, I was in shock and had to pinch myself to make sure this was true,” said Ms. Box. “I am so blessed and thankful. Words cannot describe what an honor this is for me.”
Ms. Wimpelberg, an elementary education major at Lee, is from Nashville.
“Megan Wimpelberg is a highly intelligent and enthusiastic Christian young lady who is passionate about teaching and learning,” said Dr. JoAnn Higginbotham, professor of education at Lee. “She is one of the most insightful and respectful students I have ever met and her character is above reproach. Megan’s warm and pleasing personality endears her to all who know her.”
She is a member of the a cappella ensemble Voices of Lee and works with the youth and children’s programs at the Salvation Army’s Inman Street Coffeehouse.
“I know that Carolyn Payne was a remarkable woman, so I am highly honored to have received this scholarship and be named a Payne Scholar,” said Ms. Wimpelberg. “I am truly grateful.”
Megan Wimpelberg