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Lee University student Axel Arzola was the recipient of the 2014 Crosby Scholarship, presented by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn during a chapel service on Oct. 21.

The Crosby Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Dr. Henry Crosby, a close friend of Conn and his wife Darlia. Faculty members nominate a young man entering his junior year for the scholarship. The award recipient is then chosen from the nominations by a scholarship committee.

Arzola is from Havana, Cuba, and is studying digital media with an emphasis in cinema studies. He is a member of Phi Eta Sigma (freshman honor society), Lambda Pi Eta (communication honor society), Advertising Federation, Pi Kappa Pi, the Video Production team, and Film Society, where he is the treasurer.

“Axel is one of the most passionate young filmmakers I’ve met,” said Matthew Fisher, assistant professor of digital media studies at Lee. “His boldness, ambition, and tenacity foretell an exciting career in motion picture storytelling.”

Arzola has had short films selected for festivals in the United States, Cuba, France, Canada, Mexico, Sweden, and Peru. In 2012, he won the grand prize in the Kia Motors National Music Video Challenge with his music video “The Ride.” He received best film of the year in the 2013 Lee University Film Festival and best music video, best cinematography, and best editing in both the 2013 and 2014 Lee Film Festivals. Among other awards, he also placed fourth in District Seven of the National Student Advertising Competition.

Arzola founded his own production company with the intent to produce relevant television and film content by directing his own films and helping other talented filmmakers with projects. He recently produced a feature-length documentary film called “Harriet’s Secret” with writer and director Dean Arnold, in which Arzola was in charge of cinematography and editing of the film.

“When Dr. Conn told me about the Crosby family, I was deeply honored and humbled to be part of their legacy,” said Arzola. “It is very encouraging to have so many respected faculty members give you such an honor. One day I hope to return the favor and invest in those promising students that will fill our campus years from now.”