Crystal Bell Named the 2020 Distinguished Lee Scholar

The Lee Foundation is pleased to announce Crystal Bell is the 2020 Distinguished Lee Scholar.

This prestigious award is given to an exceptional Lee Scholar who has successfully integrated the Foundation's values of integrity, leadership and service to others into their personal and academic endeavors. The Distinguished Lee Scholar is a leader in and out of the classroom, helps foster the community of Lee Scholars, and finds meaningful ways to give back to others.    

This spring, Crystal graduated cum laude with a degree in civil engineering from St. Louis University. She was also recognized as a Grand Challenges Scholar. This intensive program, endorsed by the National Academy of Engineering, seeks to develop engineers with the necessary skills, cross-disciplinary knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit, global perspective and sense of mission needed to serve and lead this country. Crystal was one of only eight students in her graduating class to earn this distinction. 

In addition to excelling in academics, Crystal participated in many volunteer activities, including mentoring high school students and encouraging them to think about their education goals. She also worked with refugees to resolve their housing and employment issues. 

Crystal's commitment to giving back did not stop there! She dedicated countless hours to Billikens for Clean Water (B4CW), a student-run service project committed to educating others about the world water crisis and funding efforts to address water disparities. 

Last year, Crystal led a group of students to rural Belize where they analyzed and implemented water solutions with villages experiencing water scarcity and quality maladies. As Crystal shared with the Lee Selection Committee, "my involvement with B4CW started the first week of college and someone will have to drag me from it. I do it with all of my energy and all of my heart."

Since we were unable to present Crystal with the Distinguished Lee Scholar award in person, we hosted a celebratory zoom meeting with Crystal's family and friends, St. Louis University faculty, and the Lee Foundation Board. 

Congratulations Crystal!