By Aubrianna Brown 

Lee University students Dakota Gunderson and Hank Moore have been named the 2025-26 Tucker Scholars for science and math. 
 
Gunderson, a secondary mathematics education major, is from Cleveland, Tennessee. Upon graduation next May, Gunderson hopes to return to Bradley Central High School to teach mathematics where he discovered his love for the subject during high school. 
  
“It is an honor and a privilege to receive the Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship,” said Gunderson. “It feels incredibly rewarding to know that my hard work has amounted to something meaningful. This scholarship has relieved some of the financial burden of my education, and I am truly grateful for that support. I also believe that choosing me for this scholarship will have a lasting impact, as I plan to live and teach in Cleveland. Through my work in the classroom, this generosity will positively influence this community.” 
 
Gunderson assists Lee math professors Dr. Laura Singletary and Dr. Debra Gladden with the annual mathematics competition that Lee hosts for local high school students, where participants compete for a scholarship to Lee. He is currently student teaching at Lake Forest Middle School.   
 
“Dakota is committed to becoming an outstanding mathematics educator,” said Singletary. “His enthusiasm for teaching students mathematics in meaningful ways is evident in both his coursework and in the classroom. This scholarship reflects Dakota’s exceptional character, dedication to excellence, and desire to inspire future students.” 
 
Moore is a pre-professional biochemistry major from Madisonville, Tennessee. Outside of Lee, he serves on the Baptist Collegiate Ministry leadership team and volunteers in the youth group at First Baptist Church Madisonville.  
 
“I’m so thankful to be the recipient of the Tucker Foundation Scholarship,” said Moore. “This scholarship allows me to work on my degree without hindrance. Being a senior, I’m very blessed to receive such an honor and a gift to help me finish my degree as I look to the future.” 
 
After graduation, Moore plans to serve overseas where he will aid in community development.   
 
“Hank Moore has made good use of his time here at Lee,” said Dr. David Harkins, associate professor of chemistry at Lee. “His unblemished GPA and early graduation tell part of that story, but not all of it.  Hank has chosen to be involved in research all along the way and has presented his work multiple times. He also has a servant’s heart, which led him to serve in a teaching practicum here and to take on a leadership role in a local collegiate ministry.” 
 
The Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Science and Mathematics is awarded to two seniors – one majoring in the natural sciences and one in mathematics. Candidates for the Tucker Scholarship are nominated by faculty and chosen based on outstanding academic achievement. Consideration is given to financial need, and priority is given to students who graduated from an East Tennessee high school. 
 
The Tucker Foundation established the natural science and mathematics scholarship in 2009 as part of an institutional initiative to enhance the programs at Lee University. The Tucker Foundation also established a scholarship for nursing students at the university in 2014 and one for engineering students in 2025. The scholarships were established on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield K. Johnston Jr. 
 
For more information about the Tucker Foundation Scholarship, contact the Department of Natural Sciences at (423) 614-8275 or the Department of Mathematical Sciences at (423) 614-8333.