Lee University senior Chris Parsons recently received the 2016-2017 Tucker Foundation Scholarship for Natural Science and Mathematics.

Parsons, a health science major from Englewood, Tennessee, was nominated by the professors in his department because of outstanding academic achievement, and he was granted the scholarship based on faculty vote.

“This scholarship is a reminder and a sign of the Lord’s provision in my life,” said Parsons.

Parsons is a leader in Crossover, a Lee program which provides groceries and fellowship to East Cleveland residents in need. He is also a member of Convergence, a prayer-focused community of Lee, as well as the TriBeta Biology Honor Society. He boasts a 4.0 grade point average.

“While Chris’ academic achievements speak for themselves, his character is what defines him from the crowd,” said Dr. Benjamin Christmann, assistant professor of biology and health science at Lee. “At a university where faculty are praised for taking time to pray for and enter into the lives of their students, Chris took time from his pursuits to sit down and pray with me about my life. This was a uniquely humbling and blessed experience.”

Parsons plans to later pursue his doctorate in physical therapy and hopes to one day open his own clinic.

The scholarship is awarded to a rising senior majoring in the field of Natural Science or Mathematics. Consideration is given to financial need and priority is given to students who graduated from an East Tennessee high school.

The Tucker Foundation Scholarship was introduced in 2009 as part of an institutional initiative to enhance natural science and mathematics at Lee University. The endowed scholarship was established by the Tucker Foundation on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr.

For more information about the Tucker Scholarship, contact the Department of Natural Science and Mathematics at (423) 614-8115.