By Cory Spiers, Lees-McRae College
Freshman Beatrice Adams of Chiddingfold, England, has been named the newest beneficiary of the Sullivan Foundation’s Sullivan Scholarship, receiving $10,000 to fund her education at Sullivan partner school Lees-McRae College.
Adams, a graduate of Godalming College in England, said she enjoys helping others and chose Lees-McRae because of its tight-knit community.
“I always wanted to continue community involvement and volunteering,” she said. “Being awarded this scholarship allowed me to come to Lees-McRae, where I knew I could continue that. The small school and how it works so closely with its community in Banner Elk (N.C.) provides such a perfect location.”
Adams plans to major in wildlife biology and is active on campus as a member of the cheerleading team.
Related: Special education major Morgan Crowe receives Sullivan Scholarship at Lees-McRae College.
Adams’ history of community involvement includes planting hundreds of sunflowers in her hometown in 2020 as the residents dealt with the ongoing pandemic. She also volunteered at a dance school and a wildlife center in her hometown. For two years, she served as a volunteer police cadet.
“Bea saw a simple activity that she could implement in her hometown during COVID-19,” said Amy Anderson, LMC’s Sullivan Foundation campus liaison and dean of business and management. “The simple gesture provided safe activities for folks in her town while spreading a bit of sunshine. She exemplifies the changemaker mindset that the Sullivan Foundation and Lees-McRae hope to nurture.”
Anderson will work with Adams and fellow scholarship recipients over the coming years to attend the Sullivan Foundation’s twice-yearly Ignite Retreats and other events to further develop their community leadership skills. Anderson, Adams and Morgan Crowe are developing a community change-making project.
The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation presents scholarships to students at 25 private colleges and universities across the south. First established at Lees-McRae in 1936, the Sullivan Scholarship is awarded to one incoming freshman who demonstrates exemplary personal character and a commitment to service above self. Additionally, the selected student must exhibit noble character as the aggregate of features and traits related to ethical and moral values, including honesty, morality, ethics, integrity, responsibility, determination, courage and compassion as evidenced by service in the community.
This article has been edited slightly from the original version appearing on the Lees-McRae College website.
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