Lee Buell’s father, Raymond Buell, was a lifelong educator who believed every child deserved the opportunities made possible through education.
“He taught in a less affluent school district, and he made his impact quietly through caring,” says Lee, JO'84, GR'86.
His example is one reason Buell created a scholarship at Drake. The Leanne Buell Scholarship provides financial assistance for students who attend John Dee Bright College and identify as LBGTQ.
“I’m really proud of Drake for understanding that campus is for everyone,” says Lee. “Bright College fills a gap, where students can come in however they are and gain confidence and learn to navigate the world. There are a lot of bright individuals who don’t know how to take that first step. That is what I really love about it.”
Lee sees the scholarship as an investment in the future and an opportunity to empower the next generation.
“I hope students who receive this scholarship become self-confident, understand their worth in the world, and step forward with confidence toward whatever is their passion.”
