SPC names Lexie Lee as winner of the 2023 Vera Sue Spencer Award
LEVELLAND – South Plains College student Lexie Lee of Levelland has been named the 2022 recipient of the Vera Sue Spencer Award for Outstanding Achievement. The award was presented during the 65th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday (May 12) in the Texan Dome.
The Vera Sue Spencer Award is presented to an SPC student who demonstrates the qualities of outstanding leadership and service to the college and community. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Spencer established the award in memory of their daughter, Vera Sue, who died while Dr. Spencer was serving as president at SPC. The award was established by the Spencer family in 1971. Recipients are recognized each year at commencement.
"SPC is like a second home because we grew up here, and we know the staff and a lot of the students," she said.
Lee is a sophomore chemistry major. She credits Dr. Laci Alexander, professor of chemistry, as being the most influential instructor she met on campus.
"I’ve taken her for chemistry 2, organic chemistry 1 and 2," Lee said. "And, she introduced me to the Bridges Across Texas – Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation partnership between Texas Tech University, the University of North Texas at Dallas, Dallas College – El Centro Campus, South Plains College and Texas Southmost College."
Lee said this program is designed to foster achievement in minority students seeking degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program's overall goal is to assist institutions of higher learning in diversifying the nation's STEM workforce by increasing the number of STEM baccalaureate and graduate degrees awarded to populations historically underrepresented in these disciplines.
Lee is an outstanding student who has made the most of her college experience while attending South Plains College. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. She has been recognized on the Deans’ Honor List in fall 2021 and the President’s Honor List in spring 2022 for academic achievement. Lexie is the recipient of the Ray and Georgia Watson Memorial Scholarship, the J.L. and Vegie Velle Smallwood Scholarship Award, the Johnnie Kean Memorial Scholarship, the Campus Ambassador Scholarship, the Founders Opportunity Scholarship and the SPC Family Scholarship.
Lee is a graduate of Sundown High School, and she is the daughter of Bruce and Tina Lee of Levelland. After graduating from South Plains College, she plans to return for an additional semester before transferring to Texas Tech University. Her plan after Texas Tech is to attend optometry school in either Austin or Tennessee. She wants to become a licensed optometrist.
