Lee University students Brianna Bevan and Madelyn “Mattie” Thomas have been named the 2019-20 Tucker Scholars for natural sciences and nursing, respectively.

Ms. Bevan, a Cleveland native, is the recipient of the Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Science and Mathematics. She is a natural science senior with a pre-engineering major and has been a scholar for the iMass (Integrated Mathematics and Science Scholars) program. She has also been involved with Math and Munchies, a “hangout group” in Lee’s math department.

Ms. Bevan is a student worker for the natural sciences department and has also participated in intramural sports for the past two years. She volunteers at her church as a morning greeter and as the leader of the church’s photography team, and was a volunteer with the Tri-State Therapeutic riding center for a year.

“The Tucker scholarship has been a great honor to receive from my department,” said Ms. Bevan. “Furthermore, it has been part of God’s financial favor over my college career and that testimony has been the greatest honor.”

Ms. Thomas, recipient of the Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Nursing, is a sophomore from Soddy Daisy, majoring in nursing with a minor in Spanish. She is the second student to be named the Tucker Scholar in Nursing.

She is on the track and field team, is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is part of Delight Ministries, a Christ-centered community for college women.

The Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Science and Mathematics is awarded to a senior majoring in the field of natural science or mathematics. Candidates for the Tucker Scholarship are nominated by faculty and chosen based on outstanding academic achievement. Consideration is given to financial need, and priority is given to students who graduated from an East Tennessee high school.

Recipients of the Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Nursing are selected by a nursing scholarship committee comprising nursing faculty with input from the student financial aid office. The approximate annual scholarship award is $5,000, which is renewed for four years until graduation.

The natural science and mathematics Tucker scholarship was introduced in 2009 as part of an institutional initiative to enhance natural science and mathematics at Lee University. The nursing scholarship was established in 2014 upon the start of the School of Nursing and Bachelor of Science program.  Both scholarships were established by the Tucker Foundation on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr.

For more information about the Tucker Foundation Scholarship, contact the Department of Natural Sciences at 614-8115 or the School of Nursing at 614-8526.