Lee Honors Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars
Fifty-seven students were recently honored as this year’s Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipients. Lee University held a reception to honor these students and their accomplishments.
This year marks the 19th anniversary of the scholarship program at Lee. Scholarships are awarded to female students who reside in the southeastern region and demonstrate financial need, academic accomplishments, and overall character.
“It is a delight to see the Christian young women at Lee carrying the legacy of Mrs. Whitehead,” said Dr. Angela Waltrip, director of Lee’s Learn Engage Achieve Program (LEAP). “The women who receive this scholarship embody the spirit in which the award is granted. They are intelligent, benevolent, kind, and show God’s love. They are making a difference in this world.”
Among the 57 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, 21 were new recipients and include Breanna Alsobrook, a business administration major from Cleveland, Tennessee; Emily Barnes, a nursing major from Cleveland, Tennessee; Caleigh Birdwell, a computer science major from Madisonville, Tennessee; Raygan Brown, a nursing major from Westminster, South Carolina; Kiera Colson, a psychology major from Sevierville, Tennessee; Ashlyn Copeland, a political science major from Cleveland, Tennessee; Gracyn Duncan, a nursing major from Senoia, Georgia; Jessica Edgemon, an English major from Cleveland, Tennessee; Gabriela Febus, a music and worship major from Sun City Center, Florida; Anna Gibson, an early childhood and interdisciplinary studies major from Columbia, South Carolina; Lundon Hammond, a biology major from Mauldin, South Carolina; Sosena Hitchcock, a psychology major from Bethlehem, Georgia; Ashlynn Jefcoat, a biblical and theological studies major from Ellisville Mississippi; Jesalyn Kasperek, a youth ministries major from Sweetwater, Tennessee; Yesenia Pablo Rafael, a nursing major from Chattanooga, Tennessee; Marissa Powell, a nursing major from Weyers Cave, Virginia; Alyssia Prater, a youth ministries major from Land O Lakes, Florida; Kylie Robinson, an interdisciplinary studies major from Canton, Georgia; Emmalyn Simmons, a marketing major from Cleveland, Tennessee; Emma Wilkinson, an interdisciplinary studies major from Knoxville, Tennessee; and Erica Yates, a nursing major from Cleveland, Tennessee.
The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, a public charity dedicated to female students and their education at more than 200 colleges, universities, and schools, encourages young women to become leaders in their communities by supporting them as they complete their education.
Mrs. Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, for whom the foundation is named, was born in 1872 in Virginia. She married Joseph Brown Whitehead in 1894, who later formed a contract with Coca-Cola to bottle and sell their products. In 1906, Mrs. Whitehead gained control of the business upon her husband’s death and became one of the first women to serve on the board of directors for a major American corporation in 1934.
Throughout Mrs. Whitehead’s life, she supported charities and education programs. Her contributions and concern for others left a lasting impact on her community and throughout the region.
For more information about the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship, contact Lee’s Financial Aid office at (423) 614-8300.
