posted May 14, 2008
Lee University has announced the Department Award Winners for 2008. The honorees are: Ashlie Kelley, Dana Williams, Amanda Cantu, Camden Morgante, Jessica Brew, Melissa Colter, Robert Debelak III, Jami-Lynn Hauser, Michael Land, Marie Chiara, Jared Stine, Alicia Berberich, and Katie Thornton.
Ashlie Denise Kelley, honoree from the Center for Adult and Professional Studies, is from Lincolnton, N.C. She is currently children’s pastor at Lincolnton Church of God, supervising 12 volunteers and scores of children each week while completing her education. She has maintained a 3.92 GPA and has mentored students in creative learning methods and use of technology in learning and has been a Pi Delta Omicron scholar.
From Murfreesboro, Tn., Dana Williams graduated from Lee University in December 2007 summa cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in communication, with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in Spanish. During her time at Lee, she was an active member of PRSSA and a member of the 2006-2007 Bateman Team. She currently serves in the public relations department at Life Care Centers of America as Corporate and Field Relations Coordinator. She plans to pursue a master’s of business administration in the fall of 2008.
Amanda Cantu, honoree from the Department of Theology, has maintained a GPA of 3.8 While at Lee, she has participated in mission trips to Zona Maya, Mexico and to the Los Angeles Dream Center and also participated in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts for two years. She has led praise and worship at East Cleveland Church of God and has done an internship with the Atlanta Police Chaplaincy. Ms. Cantu is the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and the Honors Scholarship and is a member of Pi Delta Omicron. After graduation, she hopes to become a full time minister after completing graduate school in Arizona.
Camden Morgante, honoree from the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, is a member of Psi Chi, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and Kairos Scholars Program. She has served as an officer in Omega Alpha Phi, on the Starlite Ministries leadership team, and as a teaching assistant, a peer leader, and on A-Force. She presented research at the Tennessee Psychological Association meeting and has been the recipient of many awards including the Roberson Memorial Leadership Scholarship, the Lettie Pate Whitehead for Women Scholarship, the B.L. Hicks Scholar Award, the Outstanding Freshman English Award, National Dean’s List, and Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities. Ms. Morgante will continue her education in Regent University’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology.
Department of Business honoree, Jessica Brew is from Chesapeake, Va. While at Lee, she has served as secretary of Students in Free Enterprise. She won the 2007 Business Plan Competition and has received the dean’s scholarship and has been a member of the Business Honor Society Member and Sigma Beta Delta. Since 2006, Brew has been involved in Doolas Designs, LLC in Manhattan Beach, Ca. as a partner and director of marketing. After graduation, she hopes to pursue her business venture full-time.
Melissa Colter, honoree from the Department of English and Modern Foreign Languages, is from Nashville. She is currently the president of Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society, and is in Alpha Chi National Honor Society and Pi Delta Phi French National Honor Society. She has also participated on the board of the Lee Review, the student led art/literary publication. After graduation, Ms. Colter plans to take an internship in young adult publishing at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville.
The Department of History and Political Science is honoring Robert Debelak III from Cleveland, Tn. Mr. Debelak is majoring in political science and will graduate with a GPA of 3.94. While at the university, he has been involved in Pep Band, Society for Law and Justice, Student Leadership Council, Acting on AIDS, University Democrats, the Clarion, and traveled with the Semester in England: Cambridge program. He has been honored as a Rotary Scholar, a Presidential Scholar, an Outstanding Freshman English Student, FBLA National Impromptu Speech Winner, and a member of the Kairos Honors Scholar Program. Mr. Debelak has also volunteered with Operation Christmas Child, Hurricane Katrina Relief, The Caring Place, and The Unity Center. After graduation, Mr. Debelak plans to attend The University of Texas Law School in Austin.
Jami-Lynn Hauser, honoree from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, is from Milford, Mich. While at Lee, Ms. Huaser has served as a Molecular Biology and Microbiology lab assistant for three years and has been an officer in Alpha Phi Delta the pre-med honors society, a participant in Big Pal Little Pal Mentoring Program, and a Medical Missions Trip to Guatemala. Ms. Huaser has been accepted to Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Mich.
The Department of Instrumental Music is honoring Michael Land. Mr. Land is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.99 GPA. Mr. Land has been a member of Pi Kappa Lambda national music honor society, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Chorale and the Choral Arts of Chattanooga. He is the recipient of the Presser Music Scholarship and the Henry Crosby Scholarship, winner of the Zelpha Wells Piano Competition and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association solo piano competition, a prize winner of the Guthman Piano Competition and was awarded a scholarship to attend Tuckamore Chamber Music Festival in Newfoundland. Mr. Land has been accepted into University of Wisconsin (Madison) School of Music and plans to pursue doctoral degree and ultimately teach music at collegiate level.
Marie Chiara is being honored by the Department of Christian Ministries. Ms. Chiara is majoring in vocational intercultural studies. While at Lee, she has been a member of the Diversity Council, the “Invasion” hip-hop team, International Justice Mission, International Student Fellowship, Student Leadership Council, Acting on AIDS, Campus Choir, and Missions Alive. She has participated in missions trips to South Africa and Nicaragua. She has been honored as a recipient of the honors scholarship, the Outstanding Freshman English Student award, and Rotary Club scholarship and as a participant in Alpha Chi National Honors Society and Parade of Favorites. She has participated in many ministry opportunities as a student including Angelic Ministries in Knoxville, Christ Community Bread/Feeding Ministry, Compassion International, and Starlight Ministries. After graduation, Ms. Chiara plans to work with a faith-based non-profit or non-government organization involved in sustainable international development projects as well as providing humanitarian aid before pursuing a master’s degree.
The Department of Vocal Music is honoring Jared Stine, a music major emphasizing in vocal performance. Some of his honors as a student include Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society and Alpha Chi National Honors Society. He has served as the president of the Lee University Chorale for two years as well as the president of the Kairos Scholars Honors Program. While at Lee he has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, The Bachman Home, The Caring Place, and assisted the Kairos Scholars in setting up weekly tutoring sessions with the children of Broad Street United Methodist Church’s Unity Center. After graduation, Mr. Stine will be attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he has been awarded a full scholarship.
Alicia Berberich is the honoree from the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education. Berberich, from Palmer, Alaska, is a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society and will be graduating magna cum laud with a 3.7 GPA. She was awarded the Sims Scholarship in 2007 for academic achievement. Ms. Berberich has student taught this semester in 2nd grade at Hopewell Elementary and in 5th grade at Stuart Elementary.
The Department of Health, Exercise Science and Secondary Education is honoring Katie Thornton. Ms. Thornton graduated in December of 2007 with a health science fitness wellness major and a 3.61 GPA. She was a four-year member of the women’s volleyball team where she was a two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete, Conference and Region setter of the year and a three-time SSAC scholar athlete and all-conference team member. As part of her degree, she completed a 300-hour internship as a personal trainer in the Atlanta area. She is currently working in ministry with her new husband, Martin. She was a member of DZT and a little sister for Upsilon Xi. Her hometown is Peachtree City, Ga.
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