Lee University recently honored 55 undergraduate students as this year’s Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship recipients. Their accomplishments were highlighted at a reception where Dr. Lorinda Roberts, Lee’s vice president for student success, challenged the women to have a growth mindset and senior Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholar, Haley Grime spoke about the impact of the scholarship.   

This year marks the 20th year of the scholarship program at Lee, which works to develop community and encourages cohort engagement among recipients. Scholarships are awarded to female students who reside in the southeastern region and demonstrate financial need, academic accomplishments, and overall character.   

“This year’s Lettie Pate Whitehead event was a success, and I was grateful to be a part of it,” said Kaylen Purks, a student success coach and ASL instructor at Lee. “It showcased the remarkable achievements of our students and the impact of this vital scholarship on so many of them. It was inspiring to see these scholars come together, form connections, and honor them for their dedication to the pursuit of higher education largely achievable because of the generosity of the Lettie Pate Whitehead foundation.”  

Among the 55 Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars, 12 were new recipients and include Annie Beeler, a disaster and healthcare mission management major from Apison, Tennessee; Caitlin Crabtree, a nursing major from Jamestown, Tennessee; Sallie Hicks, a biomedical major with a pre-med emphasis from Tellico Plains, Tennessee; Abigail Jeter, a political science major from Bradenton, Florida; Sarah Maddox, an art and graphic design double major from Shelbyville, Tennessee; Mackenzie McIntyre, an art major with a studio emphasis from Mount Airy, Tennessee; Emmaline Piotrowski, a liberal studies major from Dundee, Florida; Madelyn Pitney, a nursing major from Dickson, Tennessee; Sophia Riblet, a pastoral ministry major from Ellijay, Georgia; Maggie Russell, a psychology major from Columbia, Tennessee; Madalynn Whaley, a pastoral ministry major from Cleveland, Tennessee; and Addison Woodruff, a public relations 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.