Brooke Porritt
Lee University students Brooke Porritt and Allison Wierenga are the 2013 recipients of the Payne Scholarship, presented by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn during a chapel service.
Awarded annually to two female rising juniors, the Payne Scholarship was established in memory of the late Carolyn Payne, a close family friend of 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.
Ms. Porritt is a music education major with a vocal emphasis from Grand Rapids, Mich. “I am extremely grateful that I am able to receive such an unexpected and prestigious scholarship. It is an honor to be taken into consideration for a school-wide scholarship that is so substantial.”
Ms. Porritt is a member of Lee Singers, is active in Lee’s Opera Theatre, and is a Gateway Peer Leader.
"I am very pleased that Brooke has been awarded the Payne Scholarship, said Lee Singers director Brad Moffett. “She is one of the finest students I have had the opportunity to work with. Brooke will be someone Lee will be proud of for a very long time.”
Ms. Wierenga, an intercultural studies major from Grandville, Mich., shared, “I am humbled and grateful to receive the Payne Scholarship. God has provided for me again and again since I've been at Lee and I know this was straight from His hand.”
Ms. Wierenga is a member of the Lee musical ensemble Voices of Lee, as well as being a member of the Kairos scholars, Alpha Chi honor society, and Phi Eta Sigma honor society.
“Allison is a terrifically-talented young lady who has proven she can manage many activities and do them all well as demonstrated by her GPA and performance with Voices of Lee,” said Danny Murray, director of Voices. “She has great goals for the future, is destined for success, and represents the legacy of Carolyn Payne so well.”
Allison Wierenga