President's Athletic Conference

PAC hosts annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet

5/17/2016 11:06:02 PM

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PITTSBURGH (pacathletics.org) – The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) held its Third Annual PAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet Tuesday. The evening of celebration was held at The Chadwick in Wexford, Pennsylvania. The event started with a reception for all attendees at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the introduction of the honorees.

With overwhelming support from conference presidents and athletic administrators, the PAC launched its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet in 2014 as another way to recognize the league's best and brightest student-athletes for their athletic achievements, excellence in the classroom and outstanding community service efforts.

Over 120 were on hand to join in the celebration of the 21 recognized scholar-athletes.

Each of the PAC's 10 full-time member institutions – Bethany College, Chatham University, Geneva College, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College, Thiel College, Thomas More College, Washington & Jefferson College, Waynesburg University and Westminster College – along with football affiliates Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western Reserve University, were represented by some of their most distinguished student-athletes at the event.
 

Bethany College
		Julia Mouch Bethany College Toledo, Ohio Sylvania Southview High School  Major: Biochemistry Sport: Volleyball A four-year starter with Bethany’s volleyball team, Julia helped guide the Bison to a record of 118-42, including a 62-10 mark in the PAC – the best four-year run in program history. She finished second on the school’s all-time digs list (2,466) and helped the Bison to a pair of Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III South Championships. Julia was a three-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District honoree, was named to the Presidents’ List seven times and landed on the PAC Academic Honor Roll four times. A participant in Bethany’s Kalon Leaders Scholarship Program, a program that serves as an extension of the College’s commitment to the recognition of students who possess special leadership potential and will contribute to the Bethany community, she is an active member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a health pre-professional honorary, Kappa Mu Epsilon a national mathematics honorary, and Gamma Sigma Epsilon, a national chemistry honorary. She was awarded with the Jerry R. Allison Chemistry Award, given to the top graduating chemistry student at the College. She is a member of Bethany’s branch of the American Chemical Society (ACS), serving as the organization’s vice president, and the Pre-Health Professions Club, serving as treasurer.
		Jesse Penatzer Bethany College Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Pine-Richland High School  Major: Psychology Sport: Baseball   A four-year member of Bethany’s baseball program, Jesse has served as the first base coach during the last two seasons. He is very involved in the College community, currently serving as a resident assistant. He is an executive board member of the Student Government Association (SGA) and has served as president of the Pre-Health Professions Club. He is a member of the Bethany’s Kalon Leaders Scholarship Program, a program that serves as an extension of the College’s commitment to the recognition of students who possess special leadership potential and will contribute to the Bethany community. Jesse has been named to the Dean’s List or Presidents’ List on seven occasions and has earned a spot on the PAC Academic Honor Roll three times. He is a member of Psi Chi, a national psychology honorary, and Alpha Epsilon Delta, a national health pre-professional honorary. He was recently awarded with the Bethany 2000 Prize, presented to the senior who has best demonstrated loyalty and commitment to the College. A member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Jesse has held multiple leadership positions within the house and was recognized as a member of the Gamma Sigma Alpha national Greek academic honorary.

 

Carnegie Mellon University
		Nico Comsa Carnegie Mellon University Connellsville, Pennsylvania Connellsville Area High School  Major: Global Studies Sport: Football   Nico was a four-year member and three-year letter winner with the Carnegie Mellon football program. A team captain in 2015, he finished his career 13th on the program’s all-time tackles list with 182. He was voted an All-PAC First Team selection in 2014 and received Honorable Mention honors following the 2015 season. A member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll in 2014 and 2015, Nico was selected to this year’s National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. He is an active volunteer with the Nicholson Cancer Fund, the Big Brothers organization and The Salvation Army. He is also a recipient of Carnegie Mellon’s Jimmy Starr Memorial Scholarship, awarded annually to a football player who best exemplifies the qualities and character of Jimmy Starr, and is a Walter H. and Antoinette V. Haupt Tartan Award honoree. He has also interned with Building New Hope, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh and Nicaragua designed to spread awareness about and appreciation for the culture, coffee, and communities in Central America.

 

Case Western Reserve University
		Michael O’Donnell Case Western Reserve University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania West Allegheny High School Major: Finance Sport: Football   Michael started Case Western Reserve’s first five games of the 2015 season, totaling 21 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and an interception, before suffering a season-ending injury. He finished his career with 97 tackles and four interceptions. A three-time University Athletic Association (UAA) All-Academic Recognition Award honoree and PAC Academic Honor Roll member in 2015, he was selected to this year’s National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. Michael has served as a marketing intern with The Institute for Transfusion Medicine and as a corporate finance intern with Industrial Scientific and has volunteered with the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.

 

Chatham University
		Rachel McClain Chatham University Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania Hollidaysburg High School Major: Exercise Science Sport: Basketball   Rachel graduates this spring with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and will be enrolling in graduate school at Chatham. She ranks second in program history in career scoring and registered her 1,000th career point last season in a 76-74 win over Saint Vincent. Rachel, named an All-PAC Honorable Mention selection last year, currently holds four Chatham program records. She was awarded with the Chatham Senior-Scholar Athlete Award this year and has been a member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll four times.

 

Geneva College
		Dayna Hicks Geneva College Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania Blackhawk High School Major:     Human Services Sport: Softball Dayna is a two-time recipient of Geneva’s Athletic Director Award, which recognizes juniors and seniors carrying at least a 3.2 cumulative grade-point average. She has been twice been named an All-PAC selection, earning Second Team honors following the 2016 season, and is second on the College’s career stolen bases list with 72. She heads the Carry-ing Confidence program at Geneva, established to help children who relocate after the tragedy of being removed from their households for reasons ranging from neglect to abuse. With the help of the College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), duffle bags and monetary donations, along with coloring books and personal hygiene products, have been collected to help broaden the program’s efforts. She has organized the softball program’s partnership with Angel Tree, a program of Prison Fellowship, designed to reach out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ during the holiday season. She also volunteers in the nursery at the College Hill Reformed Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls, Pa.
		Kyle Terrill Geneva College Apollo, Pennsylvania Kiski Area High School Major: Biology Sport: Soccer Kyle, a 2015 All-PAC Second Team selection and team captain, helped the Golden Tornadoes earn a spot in the PAC Championship Tournament for four-straight seasons, including runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2015. He has been recognized as a member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll and the College’s Dean’s List. During his time at Geneva, the men’s soccer program has twice been honored with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) College Team Academic Award. Kyle is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) program at Geneva, and as a member of the organization’s leadership team, has helped expand membership from just eight to over 50. One of Geneva’s finest student leaders, he was given the opportunity to address Geneva’s student-athlete chapel last fall and speak about the Lord’s impact on his life.

 

Grove City College
		Megan Bilko Grove City College Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Canon-McMillan High School Major: Business Management Sport: Swimming & Diving Megan earned NCAA Division III All-America honors in the 200 butterfly and 400 individual medley this year at the national championships in Greensboro, N.C., finishing her career as a seven-time Division III All-American. She earned PAC Most Valuable Performer honors in February. She first captured that award as a sophomore in 2014 and also earned First Team All-PAC honors three times. This year, Megan won conference titles in the 400 IM, 500 free and 1650. She is Grove City’s record holder in the 500, 1000, 1650 and 400 IM. She also owns the conference record in the 500, 1000 and 1650. Additionally, Megan ranks third all-time at the College in the 200 free and the 200 butterfly. Recently honored as Grove City’s Omicron Delta Kappa Sportswoman of the Year, she also earned the College’s “Scholar Athlete” honor.
		Seth Loew Grove City College Center Valley, Pennsylvania Southern Lehigh High School Major: Computer Information Systems Sport: Soccer   Seth concluded his career at Grove City last fall by becoming the program’s first-ever three-time All-Region honoree as he earned Second Team All-Great Lakes honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). In 2015, he led the PAC with 18 goals, which marked the third-highest total in Grove City history. He finished with 43 points, good for third in the conference. Seth earned Third Team All-Region honors after his sophomore season and received First Team All-Great Lakes distinction as a junior. He earned First Team All-PAC in each of his four seasons and secured the league’s Player of the Year award in 2014. He also earned All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South First Team after his senior season. He graduates as Grove City’s career leader with 22 assists while his 43 career goals are fourth on the Wolverines’ career list. His 108 points rank second on Grove City’s career list. Seth, recently recognized as Grove City’s Omicron Delta Kappa Sportsman of the Year, has earned Dean’s List honors as well as the College’s “Scholar Athlete” distinction.

Saint Vincent College
		Helena Shoplik Saint Vincent College Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Seton La Salle High School Major: Psychology Sport: Lacrosse   Helena was named the 42nd annual winner of the President’s Award, Saint Vincent’s highest student honor, which is presented to the member of the graduating class who best embodies what the Catholic Benedictine, liberal arts college values in its students – outstanding academic achievement, student leadership and community service. A two-year captain with the lacrosse program, she served as vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and as a Eucharistic Minister for Campus Ministry. A member of the College’s Honors Program, Helena is a member and treasurer of Psi Chi, a national psychology honorary, a member of the psychology honors program, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta for excellent academic achievement in her freshman year, a member of the Alpha Chi honorary and the College’s Dean’s List. A Fred Rogers Scholar, she is a recipient of an A. J. Palumbo Student Research Endowment grant and a recipient of a summer research grant from the Association for Psychological Science, presenting her research at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association in 2015. Helena has been a volunteer for Sports Friendship Day and the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood planetarium shows and has participated in the National March for Life for three years.
		Pat Jones Saint Vincent College Frostburg, Maryland Bishop Walsh High School Major: Marketing Sport: Basketball   Pat has been on the Dean’s List multiple times during his time at Saint Vincent and has also been honored as a member of the PAC Spring Academic Honor Roll. He helped the Bearcats win four-straight PAC Championship Tournament titles, earning All-PAC First Team honors as a senior. During his senior campaign, Pat also earned recognition on the D3hoops.com Classic All-Tournament Team and the Frostburg State Invitational All-Tournament Team. As a junior, he was named an All-PAC Second Team selection and also claimed a spot on the Bill Sudeck All-Tournament Team, which was hosted by Case Western Reserve. Pat was a recipient of the Kristen Zawacki Award at Saint Vincent’s Senior Athlete Awards Banquet in April. The award, presented annually by the athletic department to excellent student-athletes who demonstrate service to the Saint Vincent community, is named in memory of the late Saint Vincent women’s basketball and softball coach. He also spearheaded efforts to raise funds for the Jenny Dunn Jones Scholarship, named after his late mother, who passed after a battle with breast cancer in November 2014. Both Saint Vincent basketball programs joined forces to fundraise for “Pink Out” games during their Senior Day festivities over the past two seasons.

 

Thiel College
		Morgan Berg Thiel College Cleveland, Ohio Rocky River High School Major: Early Childhood/Special Education  Sport: Track & Field   Morgan is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honorary, and serves as the College’s historian for Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honorary. She is an eight-time PAC Academic Honor Roll honoree and received the College’s Dean’s Key, reserved for students who earn Dean’s List honors in all eight of their semesters at Thiel. She is a member of the College’s Relay for Life committee, serves on the executive committee of the Habitat for Humanity campus chapter and works in the advancement office. Morgan earned her fourth-straight indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing with a winning and conference record time of 9.03 seconds in the finals, at the PAC Indoor Championships in February. She finished first and set school and conference records in the 100-meter hurdles (14.55) at the PAC Outdoor Championships in April. She also won the triple jump (35-0.5) and finished fifth in the long jump (15-11.5) at this year’s outdoor championships. A three-time All-PAC selection as a member of the Tomcat women’s soccer program, she concluded her career with 62 points on 26 goals and 10 assists. She ranks second in program history in career goals and third in both career points and career assists. After graduation she plans to pursue a career as an early childhood or special education teacher, and may be interested in coaching track and field.
		Marco Crivelli Thiel College Clinton, Pennsylvania Hopewell High School Major: Criminal Justice Studies  Sport: Wrestling   Marco, a five-time Dean’s List honoree, is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-America and was named the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athlete of the Month for December 2015. Marco went 30-7 in 2015-16 and won his second individual PAC title, helping Thiel post back-to-back PAC team championships (2015-16). He has served as a resident assistant in Thiel’s student life office and has volunteered with Thiel’s annual Spring Into Action Days, which benefits Greenville’s Riverside Park. He has also volunteered with Greenville’s Good Shepard Center’s annual holiday toy drive. Marco is in the process of being admitted into the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, where he hopes to pursue a career as a state trooper. He is also considering a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Thomas More College
		Staci Stewart  Thomas More College Erlanger, Kentucky Lloyd Memorial High School Major: Elementary Education Sport: Softball   Staci was named to the College’s Dean’s List on eight occasions and was inducted into Delta Epsilon Sigma, a national scholastic honorary for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition, this year. Named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III All-America Scholar-Athlete selection in 2015, Staci has served as a member of the College’s Education Club and is a longtime volunteer for Special Olympics Kentucky, helping Thomas More host the organization’s State Flag Football Tournament. Twenty-nine teams from across Kentucky gathered at BB&T Field last November with nearly 300 Special Olympics athletes participating in the event. Staci has also volunteered with the Cincinnati-based Ronald McDonald House and with the Special Olympics Kentucky youth bowling program.
		Jacob Condon Thomas More College Edgewood, Kentucky Covington Catholic High School  Major: Studio Art Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field   Jacob is an eight-time Dean’s List honoree and eight-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection. A founding member and past president of Thomas More’s Art Club, he has served as member of the Education Club and as a tutor at Newport Central High School. A captain of the track and field program in 2016, he holds College records in both the indoor mile run (4:37.27) and the outdoor 1500-meter run (4:09.14). Jacob was also a four-year member of the Saints’ cross country program.

 

Washington & Jefferson College
		Courtney Brennan Washington & Jefferson College New Kensington, Pennsylvania Valley High School Major: Economics  Sport: Tennis   Courtney has been a constant on W&J’s Dean’s List and the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll. An All-PAC Second Team performer in 2015 at first and second doubles, she is an active member of W&J’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has received the top two academic awards from the College’s Department of Athletics: the Paul Reardon Award, which honors a junior who exemplifies excellence in the classroom and athletics, and the E. Ronald Salvitti, M.D., Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. Off the court, Courtney has been named a Beta Scholar at W&J for holding a cumulative grade-point average above 3.70, is president of the Pre-Legal Society, captain and secretary of the Mock Trial team and vice president of the Investment Club. Along with serving as a student ambassador in the admissions office, Courtney spent three weeks during the summer of 2015 in Monaco, researching the legacy of Grace Kelly and the “Grace Effect.” She is a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Pi Gamma Mu international honorary in social sciences, as well as the Alpha Lambda Delta freshman honorary.
		Daniel Lis Washington & Jefferson College Washington, Pennsylvania Chartiers-Houston High School Major: Accounting Sport: Football   Daniel was named a 2015 semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which honors the nation’s top football scholar-athlete. He was selected to this year’s National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society in April and was also named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District First Team selection. His name has also appeared on the W&J Dean’s List multiple times and on the PAC Academic Honor Roll twice. A two-year starter for the Presidents, Daniel was named All-Region Third Team by D3football.com and All-PAC First Team following a senior season that featured 57 receptions for four touchdowns and 608 yards. He also led NCAA Division III with an 18.3 yards average on punt returns, thanks to a school-record setting 93-yarder in W&J’s season opener at the College of Wooster, one of two punt return touchdowns on the season. He was an All-PAC Second Team honoree in 2014, a year that saw W&J win its 700th game and advance to the second round of the Division III Championship, thanks to 82 receptions for 879 yards and eight touchdowns.

 

Waynesburg University
		Karleigh Murphey Waynesburg University Westminster, Maryland Francis Scott Key High School  Major: Nursing Sport: Soccer   After spending her freshman season as one of the first players off the Waynesburg bench, Karleigh has been an everyday starter for the Yellow Jackets over the past three years. She has totaled 19 goals, 10 assists and 48 total points over her time with the Jackets. Her excellence on the pitch earned her All-PAC Second Team recognition following both her junior and senior campaigns. Karleigh has been lauded by the league three times as a member of the PAC Fall Academic Honor Roll, has been featured on the University’s Dean’s List every year since arriving on campus, and recently graduated with the highest grade-point average of any student graduating from Waynesburg’s nationally-renowned Department of Nursing. Despite spending countless hours in the classroom, in clinicals and on the soccer field, Karleigh still found time to make a difference in the community around her, serving as a volunteer with the Morrisville Early Head Start preschool program.
		Aaron Palmer Waynesburg University Leesburg, Virginia Stone Bridge High School Major: Sports Management Sport: Football   Aaron, a two-year starter, recorded 158 total tackles for Waynesburg and earned All-PAC Honorable Mention laurels as a senior. This past fall he was honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) as an Academic All-District First Team selection. When not in the classroom or on the gridiron, he has served his country as a part of its armed forces. During Waynesburg’s graduation ceremony, Aaron was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army by John J. Dowling, Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve & Recruiting Operations Officer for the West Virginia University Army ROTC Mountaineer Battalion. He will be stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for five-to-six months for BOLC (Basic Officer Learning Course) before being stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division-branched Field Artillery. Along with serving his country, he has made it a point to serve his community. He has worked fund raisers in support of Cystic Fibrosis and Autism research, joined his teammates in supporting former Yellow Jacket Kurt Detwiler, volunteered with the Good Shepherd Alliance and Saint Anne’s Church and has been a part of the On Eagles Wings organization. Following graduation, Aaron will marry his fiancée and former Waynesburg women’s tennis player, Emily McDonold.

 

Westminster College
		Raechel Pusateri Westminster College Volant, Pennsylvania Wilmington High School  Major: English/History Sport: Soccer   Raechel has worked with Westminster’s All-College Honors Program and has been a Dean’s List member in each of her eight semesters. She is a member of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honorary, and Pi Sigma Pi, a national honor fraternity. A four-time member of the PAC Fall Academic Honor Roll, she was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) College Division Scholar All-Region team in 2014 before earning a spot on the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District First Team. Raechel was voted a CoSIDA Academic All-America selection following the 2015 season. She earned back-to-back All-PAC First Team selections in 2014 and 2015 and was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III All-South Region First Team. She led the Titans with nine assists in 2015 while totaling five goals and 19 points. She wrapped up her career with 15 goals, 15 assists and 45 points. She has been a part of Habitat for Humanity, Model UN, and the Undergraduate Research and Arts Celebration at Westminster. Raechel has also worked as a peer tutor in the Learning Center and has participated in the Sigma Tau Delta International Conference.
		Jimmy Newman Westminster College Richboro, Pennsylvania  Council Rock High School Major: History Sport: Swimming & Diving   Jimmy, a three-year letter winner with Westminster’s swimming and diving program, holds top-10 times in Titan history in both the 1000 free and the 1650 free. A four-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, he was named the PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Male Scholar-Athlete of the Month in January. He swam on Westminster’s winning 800 free relay at the 2013 PAC Swimming & Diving Championships and earned All-PAC First Team honors following the season. At this year’s Championships, he posted a seventh-place finish in the 400 individual medley and an eighth-place finish in the 200 fly, helping the Titans record their second-straight PAC title. Twice selected as a recipient of Westminster’s Coach Gene Nicholson Swimmer/Scholar Recognition Award, Jimmy is also a Dean’s List student, a member of Lambda Sigma, a national honorary for second-year men and women, Mortar Board, a honorary that recognizes senior students with leadership, scholarship and service skills, and Phi Sigma Alpha, a national political science honorary. He has served as president of Pi Sigma Pi, a locally chartered honorary for superior students who are candidates for B.A., B.S. and B.Mus. degrees at Westminster, and as secretary for Phi Alpha Theta, the College’s history honorary.