Lee University students Heidi Bennett and Alyssa Harrell are the 2011 recipients of the Payne Scholarship presented during a chapel service Sept. 22 by Lee President Dr. Paul Conn.

Awarded annually to two female rising juniors, the Payne Scholarship was established in memory of the late Carolyn Payne, a close family friend of Conn and his wife, Darlia.

Funds for the annual scholarship have been provided by members of the Payne family since 1989.

Candidates are nominated by a professor and then selected by a scholarship committee. Criteria for the award include leadership, campus involvement, broadly based student achievement, and service to others.

Bennett, a psychology major from Seattle, said, “I am overwhelmed with thankfulness to Dr. Conn, the Payne family, and my Lee family of professors and friends who serve to shape me.”

Bennett is a teacher at Lee’s Early Learning Center and member of the Lee Singers, where she serves as an officer.

“It is my prayer that during the remainder of my time at Lee I would learn to bless as I have been greatly blessed,” said Bennett.

Harrell, a communications major from Chattanooga, is involved in the Voices of Lee and Phi Eta Sigma honor society. Her sister is also enrolled at Lee, making the impact of the scholarship greater.

“This scholarship will help lift financial stress from my family,” said Harrell. “God truly is faithful in providing for his children.”