Jones and Johnson Named as Payne Scholars
By Jacqueline Campbell
Lee University students Amanda Jones and Jaclyn Johnson have been named the 2014 recipients of the Payne Scholarship, presented by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn last month during a chapel service.
Awarded annually to two female rising juniors, the Payne Scholarship was established in memory of the late Carolyn Payne, a close family friend of Conn and his wife Darlia. Funds for the annual scholarship have been provided by members of the Payne family since 1989.
Candidates are nominated by faculty members and then selected by a scholarship committee. Criteria for the award include leadership, campus involvement, broadly-based student achievement, and service to others.
“I’m overwhelmed and grateful,” said Jones. “I know I am preceded by so many amazing women who have received this scholarship. My heart’s desire is to honor God in every facet of my life, and part of that is to also honor the tradition of excellence represented by the Payne scholarship.”
Jones is a discipleship ministry major from Seaford, Delaware. She is a member of both the a capella ensemble Voices of Lee, and Sigma Nu Sigma, a Greek service club. In the future, she hopes to be a mentor and lead music at a church.
“Amanda is a very bright, talented, and gracious student,” said Dr. Bob Bayles, professor of Discipleship and Christian Formation. “I’m happy she was chosen as a Payne Scholar, and she is deserving of that honor. I have no doubt that she could do well in any major, and it is a pleasure to have her as a discipleship ministry major. I expect her to do great things for the Kingdom of God.”
Johnson is a public relations major from Winter Garden, Florida. She is a member of Voices of Lee, and after graduation, she hopes to return home to work in public relations for a small amusement park called FunSpot.
“We are so proud of Jaci Johnson being a recipient of the Payne Scholarship,” said Danny Murray, director of Voices of Lee. “She displays such great leadership abilities. I think she is a natural choice to carry on the Carolyn Payne legacy.”
