Lee University students Jessie Holsombeck and Carson Sears were recently named the 2024-25 Tucker Scholar recipients in biological sciences and engineering, respectively. 

Holsombeck is a biological science, pre-professional major from Chelsea, Alabama. During her time at Lee, she has been involved in Alpha Epsilon Delta, Backyard Ministries, and both the SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics) and WRAP (Work-Study Research Assistant Program). She is also a peer leader and a student worker in the science department.

Upon graduation, she plans to go to medical school to become a physician with a specialty in pediatrics or pediatric cardiology.

“I am so thankful and honored to have been chosen to receive the Tucker Foundation Science and Math Scholarship,” said Holsombeck. “It is such a blessing, and I am continually in awe of God’s grace in my life. This scholarship is a huge support financially and such an answered prayer. It will help me finish my undergraduate education and give me confidence as I attend medical school in the future.”

Sears is an engineering science and computer science double major from Cleveland, Tennessee. While at Lee, he founded and co-leads the Mechanical Application of Robotic Sciences club. He is also a member of Mt. Olive Church of God, where he is involved in volunteer work. 

He plans to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga following graduation from Lee. 

“It is an incredible honor to be selected for this award,” said Sears. “The Tucker Foundation’s generosity will allow me to continue my education into higher level degrees and secure future job opportunities that previously would not have been possible. I cannot thoroughly express how grateful I am.”

Introduced as part of an institutional initiative to enhance natural science and mathematics at Lee University, the Tucker Foundation Scholarship for Science and Math was established in 2009 by a generous endowment grant from the nearby Tucker Foundation on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Summerfield K. Johnston, Jr. The scholarship is awarded each year to one senior science major and one senior mathematics major who are outstanding students in their respective disciplines.

The Tucker Foundation also endows two scholars in the School of Nursing, seniors Destiny Patterson and Alayna Campbell. They are both returning Tucker Scholars who previously received the renewable nursing scholarship.

For more information about the natural science and mathematics Tucker Foundation Endowed Scholarship, contact the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at (423) 614-8275.