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2021 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars Announced

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Lee University recently awarded scholarships to 48 women for the 2021-22 school year. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, a Georgia nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the education of female students, funded the scholarships.

Scholarships were awarded to female students who reside in one of nine specified southeastern states. Recipients were chosen based on a combination of factors including financial need, academic merit, and character.

“I am so incredibly honored I was given the opportunity to receive the Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarship,” said Jocelynn Bonilla, scholarship recipient. “I am the youngest of four kids who currently all attend Lee. College is necessity but also a privilege in my family, so this scholarship provides me an opportunity to study without an overwhelming financial burden on my parents and helps me be the student I know I can be.”

Mrs. Lettie Pate Whitehead, for whom the foundation is named, was born in Virginia in 1872. In 1895, she married Joseph Brown Whitehead, and the two settled in Chattanooga. In 1899, Mr. Whitehead and an associate approached The Coca-Cola Company with the idea of bottling the popular beverage. The two businessmen secede a contract and soon began bottling and selling Coca-Cola throughout the United States.

Upon Mr. Whitehead’s death in 1906, Mrs. Whitehead assumed responsibility for the family’s business affairs. She became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors for a major American corporation.

Along with her legacy as a successful businesswoman, Mrs. Whitehead was also known for her generosity. Throughout her life she supported charities and education programs and was viewed as a leader in her community. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation aims to inspire women to stand out as leaders in their communities and to support them in their quest for education. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the scholarship program at Lee.

Among the 48 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, 19 were new recipients and include Elizabeth Bertelsen of Knoxville, Tennessee; Bonilla of Tampa, Florida; Abbey Borden of Madisonville, Tennessee; Destiny Crawley of Cleveland, Tennessee; Lea Elkins of Andersonville, Tennessee; Rachel Emery of Hickory, North Carolina; Anah Fickett of Old Hickory, Tennessee; Kaitlyn Foulks of Chuckey, Tennessee; Bekah Foutch of Chapel Hill, Tennessee; Elizabeth Garrett of College Grove, Tennessee; Haley Grime of Lebanon, Tennessee; Elena Hardison of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee; Camille Hopkins of Dahlonega, Georgia; Aria McMillan of Vestavia, Alabama; Caroline Perkins of Fayetteville, Georgia; Melanie Smith of Stonewall, Mississippi; Jocelyn Vansandt of Boaz, Alabama; and Nicole and Natalie Wudski of Stafford, Virginia.

A reception took place last month to honor the newest Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars.

For more information about the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, contact Lee’s Office of Admissions at (423) 614-8500.

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