Lee University departmental Alumni of the Year Award recipients honored

From the Chattanoogan: As part of its Homecoming tradition, Lee University presented Alumni of the Year awards across its 11 departments and schools. Recipients were recognized during departmental breakfasts or receptions held throughout Homecoming weekend.

For the College of Arts and Sciences, the award winners include John and Joan Perez, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences; Louis Morgan, Department of Communication Arts; Bailey (Brents) Millsap, Department of History, Political Science, and Humanities; Jenni Kuhn Evans, Department of Language and Literature; Anna Douglas, Department of Mathematical Sciences; and Rebekah (Riley) Kirby from the Department of Natural Sciences. Others awarded include Rantavious Gilbert from the Helen DeVos College of Education; Jillian Seymour, School of Business; Sue McGhee Whittaker, School of Music; Jaimie Yaich, School of Nursing; and Evie Lastra West from the School of Theology & Ministry.  
 
John and Joan Perez are both 1978 graduates of Lee University with degrees in psychology. Their work integrates key principles of behavioral and social sciences in applied ways that fulfill the mission of Lee. Most recently, they founded Vista Village, a faith-based nonprofit community in Columbus, Ohio, designed to support individuals facing homelessness and housing insecurity. Joan is the founder of The Pregnancy Center in Toledo, Ohio, and a former board member of the Pregnancy Decision Health Centers in Columbus. She currently serves on the Vista Village Board of Trustees. John is a Columbus-based attorney and founder of Perez & Morris, LLC, with offices in multiple states. He currently serves on the Boards of Trustees for The Ohio State University, the OSU Wexner Medical Center Health System, and Vista Village.

Dr. Morgan graduated from Lee in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts in history and communication (public relations). He later earned a Master of Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a PhD from Regent University. He joined the Lee faculty in 2003 and now serves as a professor and Director of Library Services. He is also a member of the Deans Council, Academic Council, Lee Online Advisory Board, and Master of Ministry Studies Graduate Committee, while advising students and teaching leadership courses. Dr. Morgan is active in several professional organizations, including the Appalachian College Association, Tennessee Library Association, American Library Association, and International Leaders Association. He received Lee’s Excellence in Advising Award in 2007 and the James E. Ward Library Instruction Award from the Tennessee Library Association the same year.
 
Ms. Millsap graduated from Lee in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and went on to earn her Master of Science from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. While at Lee, Ms. Millsap was a member of Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, a student worker, a member of College Democrats, and attended the political science women’s Bible study. She is a senior program analyst at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she has worked for the last eight years. Over the years, Bailey developed hands-on political knowledge, analytical skills, and leadership experience by conducting original research at Lee University, working as field organizer in mayoral and gubernatorial campaigns, and interning at the Bipartisan Policy Center at Washington D.C.  

Ms. Evans is a 2009 graduate of Lee University with a double major in French and TESOL. She spent three years teaching in public and private schools in Cabourg, France, where she met her husband, Bryan, who was serving with Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) in Rome. Since their marriage, they have lived and worked in Rome with CRU’s compassion and refugee ministries. Evans has served the organization as an intern, assistant director, and now as director. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, she uses her language skills to teach Italian to refugees.  

Dr. Douglas graduated from Lee University in 2014 with degrees in mathematics and chemistry and later earned her PhD from Vanderbilt University, where she received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. As part of her doctoral work, she co-founded SkyNano in 2017 and has served as its CEO since. The company has grown to 12 full-time scientists and engineers and has mentored more than 20 student interns. Her recognitions include Forbes 30 Under 30, the R&D 100 Award, the Tennessee Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award, and the Knoxville Startup Day Traction Award. Dr. Douglas also participated in the inaugural Innovation Crossroads cohort (2017–2019), served on the board of the American Museum of Science and Energy (2020–2025), and is a founding member of the American Energy Innovators Network. She remains actively engaged with Lee University through advisory service and student mentorship.
 
Ms. Kirby graduated from Lee in 2009 and completed her graduate degree in physician assistant studies at Mercer University in 2012. She has remained connected to Lee and the natural science department throughout her life. After graduating, she worked at All God’s Children Pediatrics for five years before serving in Nicaragua as a medical missionary. She later returned to All God’s Children Pediatrics, where she has worked for more than three years, primarily serving patients in a low-income, largely Hispanic community. Ms. Kirby and her family continue to support medical and mission work in Nicaragua and regularly lead teams to Tomas Borge, providing students with service opportunities and delivering supplies. She also serves as treasurer of Life Builders 4 Change, which recently secured a donor to help expand similar initiatives to additional locations worldwide.

Mr. Gilbert earned his Bachelor of Science in health and physical education with an emphasis in recreation from Lee in 2017. After graduation, he played basketball professionally in Macedonia before returning to the United States to pursue a career in physical education and coaching. He later completed a Master of Arts in health and physical education and a specialist degree in coaching and pedagogy in physical education. He now serves as athletic director for his school district, overseeing programs in leadership, education and athletics.
 
Ms. Seymour completed her Master of Business Administration in 2017 while balancing full-time employment and responsibilities as a parent of three young children. She began her career with Miller Industries as an undergraduate student. After earning her MBA at Lee, she advanced into roles of increasing responsibility, first as manufacturing services manager overseeing six major departments, then as director of manufacturing services for North America. She now serves as vice president of manufacturing services for North America.

Dr. Whittaker attended Lee for four years as a high school and junior college student. Her campus involvement included serving as Miss Lee College, participating in Parade of Favorites, editing Vindagua, and winning the women’s ping pong championship in 1963. After earning her Master of Music Education from Chicago Musical College in 1996, Dr. Whittaker returned to Lee as a music faculty member, teaching piano and music appreciation for three years. She also directed the Ladies Choir, now known as the Ladies of Lee. She later completed a Doctor of Musical Studies at the University of Arizona and a Doctor of Philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Whittaker currently serves as a church pianist, teaches piano at a local performing arts school, and teaches online courses in ethnodoxology for Liberty University.
 
Ms. Yaich, a distinguished graduate of both the BSN and DNP-FNP programs at the School of Nursing, has been named “Alumnus of the Year” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to healthcare and her continued embodiment of the university’s mission. As a hospitalist at CHI Memorial Hospital, Jaimie demonstrates clinical excellence, compassionate care, and leadership in a fast-paced medical environment. Her commitment to patient-centered practice and her role in advancing nursing standards.

Ms. West, a 2001 intercultural studies graduate, has served with the Cleveland Police Department since 1999 and was the first female and first Hispanic officer to attain the rank of captain in the department’s history. She currently oversees school resource officers, community engagement, training and accreditation, and serves as the department’s spokesperson. She is also an adjunct professor and an instructor for the Law Enforcement Innovation Center. Ms. West has spoken publicly about her early challenges as a teenager and her decision to pursue a different path, which she credits with shaping her commitment to public service and community outreach. She now uses her platform in law enforcement and education to encourage others facing similar circumstances.