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Brian Gerber, co-adviser for the Debate Team, poses with Debate Team members Alex Olive and Nathan Scott. more

Lee Hosts Latin American and Iberian Studies Conference By Olivia Webb   Lee University’s Department of Language and Literature recently hosted the seventh annual Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Latin American and Iberian Studies.   This conference aims to cultivate academic excellence among undergraduate students and to unite students and professors from a wide variety of disciplines. Local high school students were also invited to take part in a poster presentation session, which was organized by assistant professor of Spanish Dr. Carmen Guerrero, her Spanish classes, and high school students from the community.   “Even after seven years of this conference, we continue to see the fruit of teamwork and passion for language, literature, and culture,” said Dr. Alexander Steffanell, associate professor of Spanish. “I’m so happy to share in this experience with such a professional and devoted group of colleagues and students and to see the fruit of the Kingdom among us.”   Presenters included students from Colgate University, J. Frank White Academy, Lee University, Messiah College, Northern Kentucky University, Princeton University, University of Memphis, University of North Alabama, University of Richmond, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of the South, and Western Carolina University.   Lee University presenters included Timothy Bideshi, Sarah Clayton, Elyssa Edwards, Chase Filasky, Loren Garcia, Kenzie Holton, Annelie Johnson, Micaela Lucas, Victoria Lentz, and Allie Toombs.   Panel presentations included “Culture, Philosophy, and Societal Issues,” “Linguistics in the World,” and “Institutions and Human Right,” as well as other topics related to the culture of Latin America and Iberia.   The presentation panel moderators were Dr. Jean Eledge, Audra Chaney, Dr. Sara Ortega-Higgs, Dr. Betsy Poole, and Hannah White, all from Lee University, as well as Dr. Scott Infanger of University of North Alabama and Renee Congdon of Colgate University.   “The symposium was an incredibly rich, inspiring experience,” said Eledge, chairperson for Lee’s Department of Language and Literature. “The preparation and organization combined with the enthusiasm, energy, and obvious level of engagement of all who presented or participated in any way made this academic opportunity one that truly furthered understanding and appreciation of other languages and cultures.”   Lee alumnus, Zachary Greene, was the guest speaker at the conference. Greene graduated in 2013 from the Department of Language and Literature and the Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities. In 2017, Greene worked in Peru and Ecuador with indigenous communities. He teaches Spanish at J. Frank White Academy.   “I would definitely come back to Lee University for its next annual undergrad conference on Latin American and Iberian studies,” said Congdon. “It was great to talk among peers about similarities and differences between our research and our areas of study, and I would recommend this conference to others in the field.”   For more information on Lee's Department of Language and Literature or the Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Conference on Latin American and Iberian Studies, call (423) 614–8210.     PHOTOS: (1) Loren Garcia, Spanish major, presents on carnivals throughout Spanish speaking countries. more

Bradley County 4-H members competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Achievement Contest on May 5 in Athens.  more

Lee Student Receives Neese Nursing Scholarship   Heather Herring, a junior nursing major in the Lee University School of Nursing, recently received the Willie J. Neese Nursing Scholarship, funded by the Tennessee Elks Benevolent Trust (TEBT).   Herring, a native of Cleveland, is the daughter of Rhonda Herring and a 2013 graduate of Cleveland High School.   “I am so grateful for this scholarship,” said Herring. “It will help me accomplish my dreams of becoming a trauma nurse. With this scholarship I am able to continue the nursing program without worry and would like to thank God and the Elks Lodge for awarding me this scholarship to be able to fulfill this dream."
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Lee Voice Students Place at NATS more

Eckert Receives Zeno C. Tharp Award By Olivia Webb   Lee University senior Nick Eckert was awarded the 2018 Zeno C. Tharp Award during the university’s Honors Chapel last month.   Established in 1955, this annual award is given to a Lee senior who shows the greatest promise of making a significant contribution to the Church. It is named in honor of the sixth president of Lee, who served from 1935-44. Each department may nominate one student for the award, and of these nominees, a winner is selected by faculty vote.   Eckert was nominated by Dr. Joseph Daft, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Mark Walker, who serves as professor of pastoral studies, vice president for ministerial development, and chairperson for the Department of Christian Ministries.   Eckert is from Sellersburg, Indiana, and is pursuing an intercultural studies major with a biology minor. He will graduate in Lee’s May commencement summa cum laude.   “Nick was one of the best students I’ve ever had,” said Daft. “His ability to take what he learned in class and apply it to more complex questions is second to none. He is such an incredible example of how science and religion can be used by someone to give us a glimpse of the Kingdom in today’s world.”   Eckert has been on multiple mission trips including to Kenya with Shepherd’s Heart International, where he helped with media and information for orphanage-donor relations; to Haiti with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission, where he rebuilt churches and orphanages; and to Guatemala several times with Casas Por Cristo, where he built houses for church members.    Eckert also spent 10 weeks in Jerusalem, where he organized and taught English for at-risk students, aided communities of Syrian and Iraqi refugees, and encouraged members of the persecuted church.   “I plan to use my training in intercultural studies and my medical education to bring holistic healing and the hope of the Gospel to the most underserved and least engaged parts of the world,” said Eckert.   Eckert has helped the integration of immigrants as a co-leader of the International Friends Network (IFN). He is also a co-founder of Conversation Corner, which is through IFN, where he assists internationals in developing conversational English language skills.   “Nominating Nick Eckert was not difficult,” said Walker. “The combination of his excellent academic and global ministry effectiveness made it easy to choose Nick, but it is his passion that sets him apart. You cannot spend any time with Nick and not hear his passion to carry the physical and spiritual Gospel of Jesus Christ to the most forgotten and overlooked people groups in the world. We felt this made him the perfect candidate for the Zeno Tharp Award.”     PHOTO: Dr. Debbie Murray, vice president of Academic Affairs, is pictured here congratulating Nick Eckert for receiving the Zeno C. Tharp award at a recent chapel service.   ### more

Bromley named 2018 Presser Scholar 
  
Danae Bromley, a junior music performance major with an emphasis in oboe, was recently named the recipient of Lee University’s 2018-19 Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. 
The Presser Foundation, established by music publisher Theodore Presser, is dedicated solely to the support of music and music education. With its Undergraduate Scholar Award, the Pennsylvania-based foundation recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in music performance at accredited colleges and universities across the country. 
“Danae combines the fine sensibilities of a talented musician with the instincts of a scholar,” said Dr. Phillip Thomas, chair of the Department of Musicianship Studies and distinguished professor of music. “We are pleased to recognize her accomplishments and the bright future they suggest.” 
Bromley, from Knoxville, has been involved with music since elementary school. She began playing the oboe during her freshman year of high school. Since being at Lee, she has been involved in the orchestra, chamber music groups, and wind ensemble. 
She was a concerto competition winner for the 2016-17 school year and is a current member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. Bromley, who will marry this summer, plans to go to graduate school for oboe performance after graduating next year. 
As the 2017-18 Presser Scholar, Bromley will receive a cash stipend for her upcoming senior year.  
Presser Undergraduate Scholar Awards are distributed to a number of accredited institutions throughout America. Past recipients at Lee University include Brittany Martin (2017), Kristiana McCombs (2016), Matthew Kelly (2015), Joey Archer (2014), Erica Tipton (2013), Matthew Wilkinson (2012), Lamprini Lindeman (2011), Christopher Oglesby (2010), Sabbath Ward (2009), Rachael Skidmore (2008), Michael Land (2007), and Brooke Upton (2006).

For more information on Lee’s School of Music, call 423-614-8240. 
 

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This year, Valley View Elementary has welcomed a new therapy dog to the staff.   The school counselor, Kathy Carter, has been using therapy dogs in her counseling lessons for many … more