Abi Shamburger, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, says her favorite part of Lee has been Omega Alpha Phi, which has given her a Christ-centered sisterhood and a true sense of community. She is double majoring in accounting and finance, actively involved in the National Society of Leadership and Success, and works both as a student assistant in the School of Business and as a payroll intern in the accounting services office. A Centennial Scholar and Dean’s List student, Abi knew Lee was the right fit as soon as she toured campus. “I immediately fell in love with the campus and the community,” she shares. After graduation, she hopes to work in finance or accounting while raising a family.

Will Richardson, from Cumming, Georgia, is a business management major who has made the Dean’s List every semester so far. He is actively involved in intramurals and serves as a teacher’s assistant for business management and business ethics in the School of Business, a role he loves because it allows him to meet new people and learn how to run a college-level class. Will chose Lee for its Christ-centered community and supportive faculty. “I was drawn to Lee because of the people here,” he says. “I wanted a community of believers who could help each other grow in likeness to Christ. From my first interactions, I could feel that the staff truly cared for students—not just academically, but personally.” After graduation, Will plans to pursue his MBA at Lee before entering the workforce. 

Bailey Burgess, from Seymour, Tennessee, is an accounting major who never imagined she’d pursue a career in the field. “At my first advising meeting at Lee, I told my advisor that I would not want to become an accountant. Funny how God can show you to never say never,” she laughs. In addition to her studies, Bailey plays on the women’s basketball team and works as a teacher’s assistant in the School of Business. A member of Delta Mu Delta and the 2025 Cletus Benton Award recipient, she plans to earn an MBA and study for the CPA exam after graduation. “The best part of my Lee experience has been meeting amazing people and building relationships in a Christ-centered environment,” Bailey says. “When people say the people make the place, that is so true for me. The opportunity to play college basketball brought me to Lee, but over the past three years, I’ve grown to love so many things about this school!” 

Joy Douglass had no doubt about what university she would attend. “I knew I wanted to go to Lee because of its wonderful Christian perspectives and skills that I could learn to apply in the real world.” She says the highlight of her experience so far is the Jewish Immersion trip that allowed her to connect the business skills she has learned with the surrounding communities. Joy, a healthcare administration major from Cleveland, Tennessee, has also been involved in Lee Singers and Delta Nu Delta, the School of Business honor society. She hopes to one day own a Christian-based healthcare facility or work in hospice.  

Elijah Patty, a business administration major from Cleveland, Tennessee, is a member of Tau Kappa Omega, a student worker in the School of Business, and a student ambassador on the Admissions team, which he loves because he gets to “share my passion for Lee and hear cool stories from incoming students around the world.” Along with being on the Dean’s list, Elijah is a member of LEAP (Learn Engage Achieve Program) and a B.L. Hicks Scholar but is most thankful for a deeper insight as to who God is in his life. “The faith integration into the classroom has helped me understand how to carry out my future career in a Christ-like manner.” After graduation, Elijah plans to pursue his MBA at Lee.  

Seth Countess, a finance major from Shelbyville, Tennessee, says he’s built some of the closest and best relationships of his life since coming to Lee. “I knew Lee was the right fit for me the day I toured campus.” He is a peer leader, a member of Tau Kappa Omega, and on the leadership team for Backyard Ministries, one of the more than 100 clubs on Lee’s campus. “Getting to impact kids through Backyard Ministries is a highlight of my Lee experience.” Upon graduation, Seth plans to either be a Certified Financial Planner or work for a non-profit organization.  

Shannon Galloway came to Lee from Marietta, Georgia, to major in information systems and play for the Lady Flames Lacrosse team. She is a student worker for the School of Business and for IT Operations. After playing lacrosse for two years, she now enjoys getting to help the team and her best friends as a manager. The highlight of Shannon’s experience so far is the people she has met across campus, inside and outside of the classroom. “I love being at Lee, and I am thankful for the friendships I’ve made and the community I now have.” Upon graduation, Shannon plans on entering the workforce as a technology consultant.  

Alexa Antolik is an accounting major from Lakeville, Minnesota. During her time at Lee, Alexa has served both children and college students at local churches in Cleveland. She has also received recognition as an “Outstanding Freshman English Student” and received the Dean’s List honor every semester. “Lee immediately felt like home, and God’s presence is so evident on campus!” Currently, Alexa is interning at the HHM CPA firm and serves as a student ambassador for the Tennessee Society of CPAs. Upon graduation, she plans to work at a CPA firm and work toward her CPA certification. 

The School of Business faculty and staff are the reason why I chose Lee University. They are not just here to be your professors, they are here to be your guide, mentor, and friend. They are the best support system I could have asked for while pursuing my undergraduate degree. Not only do they show exceptional care, but they have also equipped me with both academic and professional skills for working in corporate accounting with the Walt Disney Company as a Financial Accounting Analyst. I have never felt more confident in my skillset, and I am ready to begin writing the next chapter of my story.

Gabriela Urbina Orellana is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, though her mother grew up outside of Chattanooga and lived in Cleveland for a year. That is how their family found out about Lee. “I saw an environment where I could thrive – especially with a disability, and I saw a place where I would be surrounded and encouraged by Christian-minded peers,” Gabriela said. She currently volunteers at elementary schools as a Spanish translator for parents and teachers, organizes fundraisers for her mother’s nonprofit organization Eternal Family Project, and helps run the marketing side of a friend’s small business. “My dream is to one day own my own certified organic company with multiple lines. I would love to start my own foundation with the focus of helping children with disabilities in Honduras.”