Lee University awarded 14 sophomore students from various disciplines with the Hicks Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded at the end of the freshman year to the most outstanding student in a given discipline, determined by that discipline’s faculty. The funds are applied during the student’s sophomore year.
“We are thrilled to recognize 14 of our most outstanding students as recipients of the B.L. Hicks Scholarship,” said Alex Staup, coordinator of first year programs at Lee. “These students have exhibited remarkable passion and commitment to their discipline in their first year at Lee, and we, along with the faculty members that have chosen them, believe they will be highly successful throughout the rest of their Lee journey.”
The 2020 Hicks Scholars are Marena Bedwell, a special education major from Oak Ridge, Tn.; Natalie Duncan, a sociology major from Knoxville, Tn.; Andrew Hanzelik, an information systems major from Harrison, Tn.; Alexander Kelehear, a sports management major from Trion, Ga.; Sarah Knipp, an early childhood interdisciplinary studies major from Cleveland, Tn.; Jules Landry, a political science major from Germantown, Tn.; Samuel Duarte Lopez, a Spanish and digital media major with a studio production emphasis from Cleveland, Tennessee; Erica Love, a psychology major from Allen Park, Michigan; Maxwell McCloy, a biochemistry, pre-professional major from Chattanooga, Tn.; Walter Pach, an English major from Rock Hill, S.C.; Joel Sauve, an accounting major from Maineville, Ohio; Hannah Scott, a mathematics major from Ooltewah, Tn.; Kayla Smith, public relations major from Austell, Ga.; and Reyna Whitaker, a history major from Cleveland, Tn.
“I am so honored to have been selected for this award,” said Mr. Duarte. “The Language and Literature Department has been a big blessing to me and are like my family. This is just the beginning of so many other projects which I am hoping to use to impact the people around me.”
The scholarship is given in memory of the late B.L. Hicks, a long-time pastor and member of the Lee College Board of Directors. His daughter, Dorcas Headley, gave the money for the scholarships and named them in his memory. B.L. Hicks Hall, an apartment-style residence hall on Lee’s campus, was also named in memory of Reverend Hicks.
“I’d like to thank all of the political science professors for providing me with this opportunity, and my friends and family for tirelessly encouraging me to pursue my academic goals,” said Ms. Landry. “I’m excited to work with my peers on future events for the political science [program] and to be more involved on campus.”