Distinguished Lee Scholars

Distinguished Lee Scholar

Graduating with a degree in nursing, Korey MacDonald is the Lee Foundation's first Disinguished Lee Scholar from a two-year partner school. 

Korey persevered through personal challenges on his journey towards his degree. He excelled in his academic studies and demonstrated leadership, serving as the class elected representative to the Student Nursing Association. One of Korey's professors noted "Korey surpassed my expectations for student performance both academically and personally. His engagement during class time encouraged other students to speak up." 

Korey's immediate plans include working in the medical field and he hopes to someday return to NCCC as an instructor and/or lecturer. 

Distinguished Lee Scholar

Calvin graduated in May 2023 with a dual BS in Industrial Engineering and MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He plans to earn a PhD in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at RIT while continuing to work as a software engineer at CUBRC. Calvin's professional goal is to integrate research into real-world settings and focus on the practical application of his studies.

Throughout his academic career, Calvin demonstrated a commitment to excellence and intergity. He has presented original research at national conferences, served as the treasurer of RIT’s Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering and volunteered as a tutor.

According to Dr. Katie McConky, his professor and research advisor, "Calvin has taken on a number of roles despite trying to balance the demands of family, academics, research, health concerns, and odd jobs outside of campus. Outside of official leadership positions, in my observations of Calvin with his classmates, he always assumes a leadership role in groups." 

Distinguished Lee Scholar

In May 2022, Alex graduated with a degree in Optical Engineering and joined the team at Corning. He hopes to earn his masters in optical sciences through the University of Arizona’s online program while working.

Alex is an industrious young man who excelled in the classroom while also finding time to volunteer in the community and take on a leadership role with the university’s club volleyball team. According to Georg Nadorff, Professor, Institute of Optics at University of Rochester: 

“Alex is the type of individual any engineering team would benefit from having aboard, because he represents the ethics of a dedicated and capable contributor, while also investing his energy with causes in the greater community.  I look forward to watching his career develop and continue to represent the ideals of the Lee Foundation of integrity, leadership, and service.” 

Distinguished Lee Scholar

For Chiara and the Lee Foundation, the selection process worked both ways. Before applying to be a Lee Scholar as a junior at RIT, she surveyed our website and “felt a connection” with our mission. The Foundation was “looking for philanthropically minded engineers,” she recalls, “and that spoke to me.”

Chiara does, indeed, prioritize service. While an undergraduate, she included a three-week trip to repair medical equipment in Guatemala among her many volunteer efforts. She received a B.S. in biomedical engineering in May 2021, and is now studying for an M.E. in engineering management, also at RIT.

“Engineering is a magical match between science and math,” Chiara believes. Her “deep passion for the human body and physiology” explains her interest in biomedical engineering. “I am so thankful” for the Lee Foundation’s support, Chiara says. The Distinguished Lee Scholar Award funding will eliminate her qualified student loans, and “the impact on me and my family is life-changing!”

Distinguished Lee Scholar

Crystal Bell graduated cum laude with a degree in civil engineering from St. Louis University in May 2020. 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.

One of Crystal’s most notable volunteer commitments was 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.

While a junior at St. Louis University, 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."

We know Crystal will continue her community involvement as she works to complete her master’s degree. 

Distinguished Lee Scholar

The Lee Foundation met Jessica in 2010 while she was attending St. Louis University and was selected to be the first Lee Foundation Scholarship recipient. At that time, Jessica was a junior studying aerospace engineering and the pressures of her job, work-study and student loans were overwhelming. She was worried that she might need to transfer or put her education on hold.

According to Jessica, “when I was told I got the Lee Scholarship, my heart exploded! I was filled with joy because it allowed me to stay.”

With support of the Lee Foundation, Jessica graduated in 2012 and became a Test and Evaluation Engineer, conducting wind tunnel tests for defense and space programs at Boeing. In 2019, she also earned her master’s degree in aerodynamics. 

In recognition of Jessica’s personal and professional achievements and her unwavering commitment to the Lee Foundation values, she was named a Distinguished Lee Scholar in 2017.

Jessica remains connected to the Lee Foundation by serving on the Lee Foundation Selection Committee and mentoring the current St. Louis University Lee Scholars.