Micah Lee Receives Morris Award for Academic Excellence at UMO

MOUNT OLIVE- Micah Lee, of Mount Olive received the distinguished Dr. Thomas R. Morris Award for Academic Excellence at the University of Mount Olive’s (UMO) spring Commencement.

The Award is presented to the UMO senior from the traditional academic program graduating with the highest Grade Point Average.  The award is made possible through the generosity of Dr. Thomas R. Morris and includes a $3,000 check.

Lee is a double major in music and biology, with a minor in chemistry.  She has a 4.0 grade point average, and has completed over 200 hours of academic work at UMO.  “Lee is a gifted scientist and musician,” said Dr. Burt Lewis, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.  “Musically, she has represented UMO on many different occasions as a pianist, as well as a choral performer for Free Spirit.”

Professor of Music Dr. Alan Armstrong shared, “Micah is one of the most thorough researchers I’ve ever had for a student.  If I assign a two page paper, she hands in a six page paper. She always goes above and beyond.” Choral Director Jonathan Saeger added, “Micah a wonderful music student and performer, but an even better person. She consistently seeks new ways to serve the music department and always puts the needs of the ensemble before herself.”

Lee is the daughter of Christopher and Media Lee.

Benefactor of the Morris Award is retired Goldsboro optometrist, Dr. Thomas R. Morris. A native of Nahunta in Wayne County, Dr. Morris was raised in the Union Grove OFWB Church. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he now resides in Wilmington.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, in Smithfield at Johnston Community College, and online.  For more information, visit www.umo.edu.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. David Hines presents the Thomas R. Morris Award for Academic Excellence to Micah Lee.  Looking on are (L-R):  Johnathan Saeger, Mickael Cariveau, and David Bourgeois.