By Lauren Ludwig 
 

Lee University’s Ashley Bueso and Destiny Patterson have been chosen as the 2025-26 Tucker Scholars in nursing.  
 
Bueso, a junior nursing major from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a new recipient of the award.  
 
“I’m truly honored and thankful to receive this award,” said Bueso. “This scholarship is more than financial aid; it represents a profound belief in my potential, which motivates me to continue striving toward the goals that God has placed within me. This award lightens the burden of educational costs and allows me to focus on my academic journey and personal growth, supported by people who want to see me succeed.” 
 
Bueso is involved in Nurses Christian Fellowship and Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honors Society.  
 
Upon graduation in spring 2027, Bueso plans to become a travel nurse and eventually enroll in a nurse practitioner program.  
 
“Ashley is an excellent choice for the Tucker Foundation Scholarship,” said Amy Blake, senior lecturer of nursing at Lee. “She is a strong student in every area, working hard in both the classroom and clinical. She is kind and respectful to her classmates and professors, and she takes responsibility for her learning by being prepared, asking questions, and putting in the work. Ashley will be an outstanding nurse, and this scholarship makes it easier for her to achieve this goal.” 
 
Patterson, a senior nursing student and Cleveland native, first received the renewable award in 2021-22 and is continuing as a Tucker Scholar for a fourth year.   
 
“Receiving this scholarship has been such a blessing throughout my time at Lee, as it has not only eased the financial burden of pursuing my nursing degree but also reminded me that others believe in my potential and future in healthcare,” said Patterson. “This support has encouraged me to stay focused, work hard, and give back to the community that has invested in me.” 
 
She plans to graduate from Lee in spring 2026 and move to Johnson City, Tennessee, where she will begin her career in a medical-surgical unit before transitioning to an emergency department or labor and delivery unit. Her long-term plan is to earn a doctor of nursing practice degree.  
 
“Destiny is someone who truly embodies the heart of nursing,” said Dr. Samantha Spinks, professor of nursing at Lee. “She leads with compassion, is service-minded, and cares deeply for every individual she encounters. She approaches life with humility, integrity, and a sincere desire to make a meaningful difference in every situation. Destiny is not simply learning the role of a nurse; she exemplifies the very essence of the profession.” 
 
The Tucker Foundation established the nursing scholarship in 2014 to support students from southeast Tennessee enrolled in Lee University’s nursing program. The Tucker Foundation also established a scholarship for natural science and mathematics at the university in 2009 and a scholarship for engineering in 2025. All scholarships were established on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr. 
 
Recipients of the Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Nursing are selected by a nursing scholarship committee comprised of the Dean of Nursing and nursing faculty with input from the financial aid office. The scholarship award is renewable for four years until graduation. 
 
For more information about the Tucker Foundation Scholarship, contact the School of Nursing at (423) 614-8526.