Six Lee University students were selected by the Appalachian College Association (ACA) as Colonel B. Ledford Scholars. The Colonel B. Ledford Scholarship offers financial assistance to eligible students who are conducting summer research at ACA member institutions.   

“The Ledford Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for students from Appalachia to secure a fully-funded summer research opportunity to work under the guidance of a Lee faculty mentor,” said Dr. Kevin Ung, director of Lee’s McNair Scholars Program and Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship. “Our team has the privilege to support the Ledford Scholars and advocate for their ongoing academic development.”  

This year’s Ledford Scholars are Aubree Bagwell, Christian Callejas-Montealegre, Emily Gietzen, William Ta, John Waters, and Hallie Wielfaert.    

Bagwell is a senior biology major with an ecology and environmental science emphasis. Her project was titled, “An Evaluation of Streamside Salamander Survey Methods for Elementary School Citizen Science.” Her faculty mentor is Dr. Michael Freake, professor of biology.   

Callejas-Montealegre, a senior business administration major, investigated the often-found desire among Christian college students to be engaged by the time they graduate in his project, “‘Ring by Spring’: The Desire for Early Marriage in Christian Colleges.” His faculty mentor is Dr. Ruth Wienk, chair for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences.   

“Before I started this project, I never took a class related to research methods or writing,” said Callejas-Montealegre. “But despite my lack of experience, I was able to complete a nearly 7,000-word paper in large thanks to my faculty mentor and the Office of Undergraduate Research who were both immensely helpful in guiding me through the whole research process.”   

Gietzen is a junior classics and English literature double major. Her project, “Reconstructing the Polemical and Philosophical Context of Tertullian’s De Anima,” explored Tertullian’s treatise on the soul, seeking to reconstruct his influences and sources in order to highlight early Christian scholars in the field of classical studies. Her faculty mentor is Dr. Aaron Johnson, professor of humanities.   

“The Ledford Research Scholarship was really an opportunity for me to step into the area of academia in which I hope to spend the rest of my career,” said Gietzen. “I was able to familiarize myself with the scholarly practices in my field and produce something of my own, and was able to do so in a rewarding, low-pressure, and well-guided manner. I couldn’t be more thankful to have had this opportunity.”   

Ta is a senior biochemistry major with a pre-professional emphasis. His project was “Papaya Leaf Extract: Its Role in Slowing Cancer Growth and Killing Cancer Cells,” and his faculty mentor is Dr. Jonathan Cornett, professor of biology.   

“With the grant from Ledford, I was able to improve my laboratory techniques and apply what I learned in class to real-world situations,” said Ta. “I also enhanced my communication skills while presenting my project. Most importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of Cancer Biology. My research was driven by personal experience—my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer some time ago. Through this research, I learned more about cancer studies, which has inspired me to pursue a career in this field.”   

Waters is a junior biology major with an ecology and environmental emphasis. His project, “Tennessean Ticks: Property Management Practices and Two Local Tick Populations,” studied the ticks on two separate properties to see how land management plays a role in their respective populations. Waters’ faculty mentor is Freake.   

“Receiving the Ledford Scholarship from the Appalachian College Association was such an important opportunity for me,” said Waters. “Being able to fully focus on research for the summer while receiving funding was a blessing and has absolutely facilitated my growth as a student and a researcher.”   

Wielfaert is a senior classics and English literature double major. Her project, “Lord Byron’s Mortality Problem: The Search for Eternal Memory in ‘The Prophecy of Dante’,” researched the relationship between Lord Byron’s poem “The Prophecy of Dante” and its source material, Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” Wielfaert’s faculty mentor is Dr. Ashley Mulligan, assistant professor of English.   

“I am always impressed with our Ledford Scholars,” said Dr. Debbie Murray, Lee University Provost. “They are ambitious in applying for this prestigious program. They are dedicated in completing their research with excellence, and they are committed to growing academically, intellectually, and professionally. I am so thankful for the guidance of the faculty mentors. The scholars learn so much from their experience and example.”  

The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) provides campus engagement opportunities to balance the rigorous demands of students’ research load, while regularly gathering in community and sharing meals together. This experience highlights the academic capacity of Lee students, while featuring the intentional investment of dedicated faculty.  

For more information about OURS, visit eeuniversity.edu/ours/.   

For more information about the ACA or the Ledford Scholarship, visit acaweb.org/ledford-scholars.