LEAP Graduates Celebrated
Lee University recently held a special luncheon to celebrate LEAP (Learn Engage Achieve Program) Trio Student Support Services (SSS) graduating class of 2024. Thirty-two graduates were honored at this event.
“We are extremely proud these LEAP students aspired to achieve and graduate with their degree,” said Dr. Angela Waltrip, director of LEAP. “It has been an honor to support them in their journey.”
Dr. Mark Walker, former Lee president, addressed the graduates at the luncheon, encouraging them to look forward to the future and give honor to those who helped them achieve their education.
Dr. Suzanne Holt, vice president for Student Life & Success, presented the Learn, Engage, and Achieve awards.
The Learn Award went to David Hall, a mathematics graduate from Sevierville, Tennessee. This award is dedicated to the LEAP individual who is drawn to the process of learning and shows growth in academics as well as all other categories of LEAP to include career exploration, personal development, and financial and economic literacy.
Madison Griswold, of Englewood, Tennessee, received the Engage Award, which is given to the LEAP individual who fully engages in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities. Griswold earned her bachelor’s degree in human development with a business emphasis.
“When people ask me what LEAP is about, I ask them to imagine a world where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances,” said Griswold.
The Achieve Award, given to the LEAP scholar who strives to achieve both personal and academic goals, was awarded to Jessica Clowers, an interdisciplinary studies graduate with K-12 teacher licensure from Rock Spring, Georgia.
The 32 LEAP graduates honored at this ceremony include Anna Barbosa, Sarah Bertram, Hunter Byram, Clowers, Shelby Cole, Zachary Constantinescu, Rebecca Dillard, Valarie Emmert, Kaylin Endicott, Rebekah Franklin, Griswold, Ashley Gross, Jose Hairston, Hall, Nicholas Hobbs, Julia Iacob, Lily Kusler, Taylor Lambert, Britney Lee, Savannah Manley, Danielle Martinez, Megan Meyer, Laurel Sanders, Grace Shockley, Carrie Snyder, Emily Suero, Elizabeth Swaim, Makenzie Tennant, Jocelyn VanSandt, Kaitlyn West Sell, Jessica Williams, and McKaylee Willis.
Funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, LEAP is a TRIO SSS program and currently serves 140 first-generation or underrepresented students at Lee each year who meet the eligibility criteria. The program provides individual success coaching, peer mentors, direct student aid, financial aid counseling, financial literacy education, cultural and academic enrichment opportunities, and other personalized services according to individual students’ needs.
For more information, visit LEAP or email [email protected].
