Fifty-one students were recently honored as this year’s Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipients. Lee University held a reception to honor these students and their accomplishments. 

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the scholarship program at Lee. Scholarships are awarded to female students who reside in the southeastern region and demonstrate financial need, academic accomplishments, and overall character.

“We are proud of these young women, and we are grateful to the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation for their generous investment in our students as they study at Lee University to pursue their dreams,” said Vanessa Hammond, director of Grants & Foundation Relations at Lee.

Among the 51 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, 10 were new recipients and include Kaytlin Arwood, a pastoral ministry major from Morristown, Tennessee; Gabrielle Boling, a psychology major from Madison Heights, Virginia; Nyona Brown, a business administration major from Tampa, Florida; Karla Carrion, a psychology major with a counseling emphasis from Dalton, Georgia; Anna Cuison, a business administration major from Franklin, Tennessee; Noelle Jackson, a nursing major from Gainesville, Georgia; Krisalynn Newman, a liberal studies major from Sevierville, Tennessee; Danielle Peyton, a human development/early childhood and interdisciplinary studies major from Ruckersville, Virginia; Kimberly Robertson, a psychology major with a counseling emphasis from Cleveland, Tennessee; and Anna Taylor, a criminal justice major from Commerce, Georgia.

“I see the Lord’s hand in every detail that has me here at Lee,” said Madysen Khamphengphet, a sophomore nursing major and returning Lettie Pate Whitehead scholar. “I’m very thankful He has used the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship as a gift from His very hand to continue training alongside incredible women for wherever He is calling us.”

The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, a public charity dedicated to female students and their education at more than 200 colleges, universities, and schools, encourages young women to become leaders in their communities by supporting them as they complete their education.

Mrs. Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, for whom the foundation is named, was born in 1872 in Virginia. She married Joseph Brown Whitehead in 1894, who later formed a contract with Coca-Cola to bottle and sell their products. In 1906, Mrs. Whitehead gained control of the business upon her husband’s death and became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors for a major American corporation in 1934.  

Throughout Mrs. Whitehead’s life, she supported charities and education programs. Her contributions and concern for others left a lasting impact on her community and throughout the region.  

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