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Lee University recently announced Bethany Barclay as the recipient of the 2013 F. J. Lee Award.

Established in 1968 and named in honor of the second president of Lee, this annual award is presented to a senior at Lee who has demonstrated high standards of integrity, leadership, service, broad campus involvement, and academic excellence. Each department may nominate one student for the award, and from these nominees a winner is selected by a faculty vote.

Barclay, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., has been a tutor in the Department of Language and Literature and is a mentor to English majors. She also worked as the assistant coordinator and facilitator for the department’s writing studios.

“Bethany is a servant-scholar, someone who serves tirelessly in a variety of roles, both on campus and in the classroom, while still excelling in the classroom and beyond,” said Associate Professor of English Dr. Andrew Lee. “My students frequently praise Bethany for helping and mentoring them in her role as a Writing Center tutor.”

Barclay has also served as a peer leader for Gateway freshman classes, performed in Pianorama, competed in Taekwondo tournaments, and is a member of Lee’s Evangelistic Singers (EVS).

During her time at Lee, Barclay has volunteered in many capacities, from serving at Deke Day to volunteering at Chambliss Children’s Home. She has also served at Prison Prevention Ministries, Creekside Retirement Home, and the Lee University Food Bank.

Barclay is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society. She was also the recipient of the Outstanding Freshman English Student Award and the Exemplary Sociology Student Award.

“When Dr. Eledge informed me of my nomination for this award, I felt extremely flattered that three of my professors saw fit to nominate me amongst hundreds who were equally eligible,” said Barclay. “When I received the news of my winning the award, I was overwhelmed with feelings of thankfulness. This award represents the truth that God always honors all of your hard work and sacrifice.”

Barclay will graduate summa cum laude from Lee in July 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Spanish. After graduation she plans to attend law school in hopes of becoming a lawyer and later a judge.

Barclay was honored as the F.J. Lee Award recipient during Lee’s commissioning service on Friday, May 3.