Rachel Turner is a biological science major with an environmental biology emphasis and a minor in political science. She came to Lee from right here in Cleveland, Tennessee, and said her family has always loved Lee. “Almost every member of my family has attended Lee, and I have grown up hearing nothing but good things, so I’ve always had a heart for Lee.” Rachel is a member of Tri Beta Honors Society and an RA at the Garden Plaza Senior Living Community in town. One of her favorite things about her college years so far is that the faculty and staff are “so intentional and caring when it comes to their students’ lives.” After graduation, Rachel plans to pursue a graduate program in law or medical/PA school.
Hannah Cole Orsag, a 2016 graduate with an honors degree in English writing and a minor in humanities, moved to Toronto, Canada, to work as an English teacher after graduation. While at Lee, she wrote a monthly literature column for the student newspaper, the Lee Clarion, and worked as a copy writer and content editor for the Lee Review. Hannah is currently teaching in Athens, Georgia, and is the founder and editor-in-chief of Heimat Review, an online literary journal. “My experiences at Lee prepared me to be a well-rounded individual with strong communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills, which have been essential in my career and personal life.”
“Lee University has helped me find a second home after my first one was destroyed. I know that this is credited to not only the staff and people here at Lee but alumni who continuously give to make Lee what it is! I am super thankful that they give, because without them, Lee may not look and feel the way it does!”
“My journey at Lee has equipped me with more than just a quality, faith-based education. Lee’s thriving student engagement, amazing staff, and bountiful resources have restored my confidence and empowered me to pursue and obey God’s sovereign plan for my life. I could not be more grateful for everyone that has led me to the school, community, and home that I have found in Lee.”
“My Lee experience has been uniquely great beyond what I could’ve expected as an incoming freshman. Involved alumni have had a huge part to play as their Lee stories continuously set the stage for my Lee story to encapsulate my personal development as a young leader, student, and Christ follower. The generous hearts of alumni to share their time, resources, and relational investments have made a huge difference in my life at Lee.”
Jarrod Casteel graduated from Lee University in 2012 with a degree in political science and an emphasis in political theory. He attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he graduated with honors in May of 2016. When Casteel first came to Lee, he says he initially majored in “baseball” and had no real interest in either the spiritual or academic life of the university. After failing multiple classes and eventually dropping out of school altogether, Casteel eventually made the prayerful decision to reframe his life. Upon his return to Lee, he spent the next few years working hard to become one of the top students in the history, political science, and humanities program. Currently, Casteel is a successful lawyer in Knoxville and director of corporate counsel for Ruby Tuesday.
Brittany Deaton graduated from Lee in 2014 with a degree in mathematics with an emphasis in actuarial science. She is currently the director of the Anaplan Center of Excellence (COE) team at Unum – a large disability insurance company headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. According to Brittany, “My team and I are responsible for the support of Anaplan, a cloud-based financial planning platform, and are involved with developing and maintaining models, training new model builders, establishing governance practices, and shaping the overall strategy of where we want to take the platform next.” Brittany credits Lee’s professors for preparing her for this job. “Outside of what they taught me in class, which was absolutely foundational to my career, my professors taught me how to prepare myself for the business/finance world – they taught me to put together a resume, how to get an internship, and how to think critically.”
Dr. Anna Douglas graduated from Lee in 2014 with a bachelors of science in Chemistry and Mathematics. She currently leads a team of scientists and engineers at SkyNano LLC working to commercialize a technology to capture and convert greenhouse gasses into valuable materials. Anna co-founded SkyNano in January 2017 and has served as the CEO since then. “Lee prepared me in a myriad of ways for what I am doing now,” Anna said. “I felt wholly prepared academically when I left Lee and started my graduate studies at Vanderbilt, even alongside students from top-ranked research institutions. Lee also helped develop a confidence in my calling that helped to carry me through the ups and downs of graduate school and starting a technology company, and believe me, this has been a roller coaster of a ride! If I didn’t have the confidence in my calling that was instilled and reinforced at Lee, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Gui Von Streber graduated from Lee with a Spanish degree in 2017 and is currently pursuing a Hispanic Studies PhD at Emory University. “I would not be pursuing a doctorate degree if it weren’t for my professors at Lee, especially the ones from the Language and Literature Department,” said Gui. “They always went the extra mile to help students like me who wanted to pursue an academic career. The Language and Literature department was elemental in encouraging me to explore my professional interests. I am extremely thankful to all professors who shaped me intellectually, offered me their advice, and endless hours of mentorship.”
Garrett Joseph Mikulka graduated in December 2019 with an English Literature degree and a minor in writing. He will jump straight into graduate studies, starting an English PhD program at Indiana University. “One of the best parts about Lee is the faculty,” Garrett said. “Professors, particularly in the English department but also some in Classics, took my academic goals seriously and helped me get on the path towards graduate level work.”