The Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at the University of Tennessee at Martin announced Tuesday that it has awarded five first-year students $500 in scholarship money. The fraternity received more than 110 applications over the summer for the annual Balanced Man Scholarship.
“We were fortunate to have a great turnout for the scholarship this year,” scholarship chairman Colton Taylor said. “All of our finalists are phenomenal examples of the best of UTM’s incoming class, and we know they’re going to do great things.”
The Balanced Man Scholarship was open to all students attending their first semester at UT Martin. Applicants completed an online web form to share their academic, athletic and community service achievements. The organization then conducted phone interviews with a narrowed list of finalists.
The scholarships are funded by the generous donations of the fraternity’s local alumni through the Direct Scholarship Fund at the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation.
CJ Lake of Smyrna, Tennessee is a Music Performance for Percussion major. He is a graduate of Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna.
Lake has been recognized as a Midstate Gold Band member three times and attended the Governor’s School for the Arts at Middle Tennessee State University in 2019. He has played in the school’s wind ensemble, jazz band and marching band. He volunteers with Tennessee Valley Winds and at Victory Church. He is the son of Kevin Lake.
Colby Roberts of Petersburg, Tennessee is a Biology/Pre-Dental major. He is a graduate of Marshall County High School in Lewisburg with a 4.125 GPA.
Roberts was a member of the Junior National Honors Society, Beta Club, Leo Club, Spanish Club and Junior Kiwanis. He was a member of the bowling team. He volunteers weekly with the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders Association. He is the son of Mark and Angie Roberts.
Myles Rogers of Wildersville, Tennessee is an Exercise Science major. He is a graduate of Clarksburg School in Clarksburg with a 4.0 GPA.
Rogers was a member of the National Beta Club, FFA and yearbook staff. He played varsity basketball, baseball and golf, earning the Scholar Athlete Award for the 2017-2018 school year and a second place finish among the TSSAA District 13’s best golfers. He has volunteered at events promoting literacy and dog rescue, as well as the Carl Perkins Dancing with the Stars event. He is the son of Vernon and Tammi Rogers.
Taylor Slayton of Ardmore, Tennessee is a double-major in Arts and Music as well as Computer Science. He is a graduate of Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville with a 3.6 GPA.
Slayton has played for honor bands in both Tennessee and Alabama, as well as various music festivals. He was in the marching band all four years of high school. He has volunteered at Cash Point Baptist Church’s vacation bible school program for four years, as well as Operation Christmas Child for two years. He is the son of Shawn and Amanda Slayton.
Hayden Swearingen of Cross Plains, Tennessee is a Computer Science major. He is a graduate of East Robertson High School in Cross Plains with a 3.5 GPA.
Swearingen was a member of the Beta Club, National Honors Society, FFA and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He played varsity football, golf, wrestling and baseball. He has volunteered with Addi’s House where he worked with adults with special needs to help them learn functional life skills to foster independence. He is the son of Rodney and Lori Swearingen.