Betty Jean Duke Lee and Malcolm E. Sexton Scholarship

A conversation with Creighton Conrad “Jack” Lee.

Why did you choose to create a scholarship at Auburn University?
The scholarship serves to recognize Jean and help Auburn and future students.

What would you want the recipients of this scholarship to know about the person for whom it is named?
Our family loved each other and Auburn and still do, and want to actively help.

Tell us about your Auburn story, favorite tradition, a “War Eagle!” moment, or what Auburn has meant to you.
Jack and Jean fell in love December 1941. Both attending Woodlawn High School in Birmingham. They married March 1948 in Woodlawn Baptist Church.

Jack also fell in love with Auburn in the summer of 1945, while visiting on a weekend from Navy service. He graduated Auburn in August 1947 in Aeronautical (Aerospace) Engineering. Jean’s degree came from Howard College (now Samford) in the summer of 1949 in Home Economics after attending the University of Alabama.

Jack’s work included National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in Hampton, VA, US Army Guided Missile Development, Thiokol Chemical Corp. and establishing Lee Builders, Inc. in Huntsville, AL.

Jean’s work was raising, teaching, and loving six kids; all continue to live in Huntsville, AL. Two graduated from Auburn, one from UAH, one from UNA, and two from practical construction and management practices. The four boys are still employed in Lee Builders. All are dedicated Auburn.

Jean died in 1995. This scholarship was established very soon thereafter in her memory — and is believed to be the first Auburn Aerospace Engineering Scholarship.