President's Athletic Conference

PAC hosts annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet

5/22/2017 9:37:04 PM

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PITTSBURGH (pacathletics.org) – The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) hosted its Fourth Annual PAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet Monday evening. The evening of celebration was held at The Chadwick in Wexford, Pennsylvania. The event started with a reception for all attendees at 6 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.

"Our annual PAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet is always a fitting conclusion to the academic year as we celebrate the "Best of the Best" that our conference has to offer. Honoring these student-athletes who have excelled at the highest level both in athletic competition and in the classroom, while also making a positive impact through their various community service efforts and campus leadership positions, is something we intend to continue as our league moves forward. These young people best represent the core value of the PAC: academic and athletic excellence," said PAC Commissioner Joe Onderko.

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
		Lauren Simpson Bethany College Washington, Pennsylvania Trinity High School Major: Communications Sports: Basketball, Track & Field Lauren was a two-year starter with Bethany’s women’s basketball team prior to spending the last two seasons as a middle distance runner with the track and field program. She served as president of Bethany’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the vice president of the PAC SAAC and was a member of the student staff in Bethany’s sports information office. A member of the Phi Mu sorority, Lauren earned numerous awards throughout her senior year, including a NCAA Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics and was extended an invitation to attend the NCAA’s Career in Sports Forum this summer. She was named Bethany’s Derek Hoffman Memorial Award recipient, a prestigious award given to the SAAC Student-Athlete of the Year, the Student Leader of the Year by the College’s Student Government Association (SGA), the Francis O. Carfer “Most Outstanding Senior” and the Charlotte Manion Yurko Award winner as the student with the top grade-point average in the College’s Department of Communications and Media Arts. She was recently accepted to Illinois State University and will pursue a master’s degree in sport management while completing a graduate assistantship in the athletic communications office.
		Callum Appleby Bethany College Maidstone, United Kingdom Maidstone Grammar School Major: Physical Education Sports: Golf, Soccer, Tennis Callum was a four-year starting goalkeeper with the men’s soccer team and was tabbed as an All-PAC Honorable Mention selection this past season. He competed as a three-sport student-athlete during his time at Bethany, also participating as a member of the tennis and golf teams in the spring. An active member of the Kappa Delta Pi education and Phi Delta Psi physical education honoraries, he received Bethany’s Exceptional Secondary Education Award, which is presented to the senior secondary education major who excels and demonstrates pedagogical strength in his or her instructional strategies and respective field of study. Callum also received the John J. Knight Award for excellence in physical education. He will begin classes at the Duquesne University School of Law in the fall.

 

Carnegie Mellon University
		Samer Abdelmoty Carnegie Mellon University McLean, Virginia McLean High School Major: Mechanical Engineering Sport: Football Samer was a four-year letter winner with Carnegie Mellon’s football program. A team captain in 2016, he was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for excelling academically and athletically while showing leadership and commitment to the community. He finished his career ninth on the program’s all-time interceptions list (8) and 17th all-time in tackles (178). A member of the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll in 2015 and 2016, Samer was named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Second Team Academic All-America selection this past season. He has also received a Boeing Scholarship, which goes to three students in the Mechanical Engineering department at Carnegie Mellon who exhibit strength, leadership and experience in the aerospace industry. Samer serves as a Mechanical Engineering Student Advisory Council representative and is vice president of the Arab Student Organization. He is currently working on the CERLAB Research Project, performing research to develop an autonomous UAV system that can navigate in an indoor environment for 3D geometric measurement and inspection. Last summer he interned for Aurora Flight Sciences in Manassas, Virginia. Samer also spearheaded a fundraising event with the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh by conducting a photo shoot and sale of a team calendar with all proceeds going directly to the hospital.

 

Case Western Reserve University
		Brendan Lynch Case Western Reserve University Sarver, Pennsylvania Freeport Area High School Major: Chemical Engineering Sport: Football Brendan, a 2016 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) First Team Academic All-America selection, turned in one of the finest seasons by a wide receiver in program history last season. The All-PAC First Team honoree caught 67 passes (4th in school history) for 1,049 yards (2nd in school history) and 12 touchdowns (2nd in school history) in 2016. Both his receiving yards and touchdown totals ranked 22nd among all Division III counterparts. He was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week after matching a school record with 222 receiving yards against Grove City College, one of two 200-plus yard receiving games he recorded during the campaign. Brendan finished his career sixth in school history in receptions (148), eighth in receiving yards (1,723) and 10th in receiving touchdowns (15). During his time at Case Western Reserve, he served as a volunteer with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Children’s Miracle Network and participated in numerous, student-led Relay for Life events.

 

Chatham University
		Jesse Hinkle Chatham University Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania Thomas Jefferson High School Major: Psychology Sports: Basketball, Track & Field Jesse leaves Chatham as its career leader in rebounds (751) and also holds program records for rebounds in a season (239) and in a game (16). In 96 career games (80 starts), she totaled 763 points, 99 assists, 91 steals and 46 blocks. After a third-place finish in 2014, Jesse claimed the PAC’s javelin title in both 2015 and 2016 before finishing as the runner-up this season. After the 2016 season, she was named an All-Region honoree by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) after ranking in the top five among all Mideast region competitors. A Chatham Scholar and two-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, she has served as vice president of Chatham’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and  president of the Chatham Apartments Residence Hall Council while working with the Scholar’s Advisory Board (SAB) and serving as a NCAA Choices Grant peer leader. Jesse is an member of the Psi Chi international psychology honorary and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. After graduation, she will complete her final year in Chatham’s occupational therapy program before earning a master’s degree in occupational therapy next spring, with aspirations of serving as a military occupational therapist or working in pediatrics.

 

Geneva College
		Megan Shultz Geneva College Montrose, Pennsylvania Montrose Area High School Major: Biology Sport: Tennis Megan leaves her mark at Geneva as the school’s first-ever winner of an individual flight title at the PAC Tennis Championships. Finishing her career with a 43-17 record in singles competition, she captured the fifth singles championship in 2015. Megan also finished third at sixth singles in 2013 and fourth singles in 2014 before finishing fourth at fifth singles in 2016. She served as a team captain last fall and had the opportunity to compete with her sister, Victoria Hinds, at third doubles. Megan started her career at Geneva in the fall of 2013 and graduated with a degree in biology in December 2016. She is always willing to lend a hand in the Geneva and Beaver Falls communities, assisting with youth tennis clinics and working with Best Friends Inc., a non-profit organization serving children with disabilities and their families in Western Pennsylvania, with its annual celebration at Bradys Run Park. The organization strives to promote friendships between children with disabilities and their nondisabled peers and to facilitate their more active participation and inclusion in the life of the community. She currently resides in Montrose with her husband Bryan and plans on attending Binghamton University to study nursing through its accelerated program.
		Chaese Vaudrin Geneva College Uniontown, Ohio Lake High School Major: Psychology Sport: Basketball A four-year starter and three-year captain with Geneva’s basketball program, Chaese has been decorated with All-PAC honors while finishing his career with 1,158 points and 464 rebounds. A four-year team leader with Geneva’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), his leadership and ministry roles have reached into the College and local Beaver Falls communities, along with his hometown of Uniontown, Ohio. He has volunteered with Tiger Pause, a local, non-profit after school program, and serves as a church deacon with his hometown congregation. Chaese has worked at LIFT Student Ministries during the past three summers, traveling across the country coordinating week-long Christian youth camps. When out of season, he participates in a nursing home ministry every Wednesday with his grandfather. A Geneva Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, he has also served as a high school basketball camp counselor and completed a semester-long internship with the PAC this spring. Following his graduation from Geneva this month, Chaese will be pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary.

 

Grove City College
		Jordyn White Grove City College Mars, Pennsylvania Mars High School Major: Business Management Sport: Soccer One of the most decorated players in Grove City women’s soccer history, Jordyn earned First Team All-PAC honors at defender in each of her final three seasons. She helped Grove City record nine shutouts this year while compiling a 17-6 overall record. The 17 wins are the most in one season in the 25-year history of Grove City women’s soccer. Offensively, Jordyn ranked second in the conference with a team-leading 10 assists. She earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes Region honors for the second consecutive year after the 2016 season. She also earned All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III South recognition after her junior and senior seasons. Jordyn set a program record by playing in 90 career matches for the Wolverines. In addition to her stellar defensive work, she concluded her career with nine goals and 20 assists. A Dean’s List student, Jordyn was recently honored as Grove City’s Omicron Delta Kappa Sportswoman of the Year.
		Dale Reese IV Grove City College Rocky Hill, Connecticut Loomis Chaffee School Majors: Accounting, Finance Sport: Soccer A four-year starter at midfield for Grove City’s men’s soccer program, Dale capped his stellar career by earning PAC Player of the Year honors last fall. This season, he recorded 10 goals and nine assists. He led the conference with six game-winning goals and ranked second in the league in assists. His 10 goals and 29 total points both ranked third. Dale also earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes Region following the 2016 season. He earned All-Conference honors three times, including First Team recognition in 2013 and 2016 and helped lead Grove City to a 15-5-1 overall record and a berth in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championship Tournament. He finished his career with 28 goals and 19 assists. Reese’s 75 career points are the fifth-most in program history, and he ranks second all-time at the College in career assists and seventh in career goals. A College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District selection this year, he is a Dean’s List student and has been named to the conference’s Academic Honor Roll. Dale was recently recognized as a Grove City Omicron Delta Kappa Sportsman of the Year.

Saint Vincent College
		Samm Firestone Saint Vincent College Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania Pen Argyl High School Major: Marketing Sport: Golf Samm, a four-year member and three-year captain of the women’s golf team, earned All-PAC status in each of her four seasons of competition. She claimed First Team honors three times during her career. As a senior, she played to a fifth-place finish at the 72-hole PAC Championships, helping guide the Bearcats to a runner-up finish, their best ever at PAC Championship event. During her career, she garnered PAC Women’s Golfer of the Week honors five times. She was awarded with the Kristen Zawacki Athletic Award at the Saint Vincent Senior Awards Banquet in April. Off the course, she was a three-year member of the Residence Life team, serving as a prefect. Samm was a member of The Benedictine Leadership Studies Group, served as head manager for the athletic department for the past two years and was a member of the College’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She was recognized as a Dean’s List honoree and was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, which recognizes students who are outstanding campus leaders. Samm graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship on May 13. She plans to return to Saint Vincent as a graduate assistant in the student affairs office to pursue a master’s degree in instructional design and technology.
		Jimmy Farnan Saint Vincent College New Paris, Pennsylvania Chestnut Ridge High School Major: Engineering Science Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field A four-year member of the track and cross country programs, Jimmy was the PAC champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2016 outdoor track and field championships. He earned All-PAC honors in cross country three times, finishing 11th at last fall’s league championships. As a team, the Bearcats claimed the PAC cross country title in each of his four seasons with the program. A member of the Alpha Chi, Beta Beta Beta, Alpha Lambda Delta and Chi Alpha Sigma honoraries, Jimmy was a member of the College’s Dean’s List and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. He has been recognized as a member of the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll and earned Division III All-Academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) in 2015. Last fall, he was a member of the Homecoming Court. On campus, Jimmy served as an ambassador for the office of admission, a teaching assistant for the biology and environmental science departments and was a prefect in Saint Benedict Hall. This spring, he was a finalist for 43rd annual President’s Award, the College’s most prestigious student honor. He was also awarded the Kristen Zawacki Athletic Award at Saint Vincent’s Senior Awards Banquet. Jimmy graduated from Saint Vincent on May 13 and plans to attend Pennsylvania State University for a dual title program, a Ph.D. in environmental engineering and biogeochemistry.

 

Thiel College
		Alyssa Mondl Thiel College Akron, Ohio Cuyahoga Falls High School Majors: Accounting, Business Administration Sports: Basketball, Golf Alyssa was a seven-time Dean’s List honoree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is a member of the Lambda Sigma, Chi Eta Sigma and Chi Alpha Sigma honoraries as well as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She qualified for the PAC Academic Honor Roll three times. Alyssa earned four varsity letters in golf and basketball, and was a three-time All-PAC selection in golf, earning Second Team honors in 2014 and Honorable Mention accolades in 2015 and 2016. She served the College as a resident assistant, was a member of Thiel’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was an active member of the College’s Business & Accounting Club. She will begin working for Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, a public accounting and consulting firm located in Pittsburgh, in September.
		Trevor Martin Thiel College Meadville, Pennsylvania Meadville High School Majors: Accounting, Business Administration Sports: Football, Tennis Trevor graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Dean’s Key as an eight-semester Dean’s List honoree. He is a member of the Chi Eta Sigma, Lambda Sigma, Sigma Alpha Pi and Chi Alpha Sigma honoraries, as well as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He was named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll six times and was honored as a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District First Team selection in 2016. Trevor earned four varsity letters as a member of the football program, serving as a team captain and earning a spot on the All-PAC Honorable Mention team last fall. He was also a three-year member of the tennis team. Trevor was active with the College’s Business & Accounting Club and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He will begin working for Hill Barth & King and Associates LLC, a multidisciplinary financial services firm, in September.

Thomas More College
		Laura Felix Thomas More College Burlington, Kentucky St. Henry District High School Major: Biology Sport: Soccer Laura was a four-year starter at midfield for the nationally-ranked Thomas More women’s soccer program. She was named the 2016 PAC Player of the Year after leading the Saints to a round of 16 appearance for the third-straight season. She is a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American and three-time NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region selection. Laura was named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American in 2016 and is just the 10th PAC women’s soccer player to earn Academic All-America honors. On campus, Laura was involved in the biology club and the James Graham Brown Honors program. She has volunteered as a tutor at John Carlisle Elementary and with Northern Kentucky Special Olympics.
		Alex Bramer Thomas More College Independence, Kentucky Holy Cross High School Majors: Accounting, Economics Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field Alex was a four-year letter winner in cross country and track and field for Thomas More. He is a member of the school-record setting 4x800-meter relay (9:13.29) and finished in the top 100 in all four PAC Cross Country Championships in which he participated. Alex was also a member of Thomas More’s PAC Men’s Indoor Track & Field championship team last winter. On the Thomas More campus, he was an active member of the accounting society, campus ministry and Delta Mu Delta business administration honorary. In the community, Alex volunteers with local high school Catholic youth retreats.

 

Washington & Jefferson College
		Allison Means Washington & Jefferson College Connellsville, Pennsylvania Connellsville High School Major: Childhood Development and Education Sport: Volleyball Allison, a four-year member of W&J’s women’s volleyball program, was named an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III South First Team selection last November after collecting All-PAC First Team honors for the second-straight season. The Presidents reached 20 wins for the first time since 2005, finishing the year 20-10 and advancing to the PAC Championship Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2009. Allison provided a solid defensive effort for W&J throughout the season, totaling 711 digs to lead the league and rank eighth among all Division III counterparts. She finished her career at W&J with 1,904 digs, the second-most in program history. Allison, an active member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, has been recognized on the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll twice and earned Dean’s List recognition six times.
		Nicholas Willison Washington & Jefferson College Rockford, Michigan Rockford High School Major: Chemistry Sports: Swimming & Diving, Water Polo A four-year member of the Presidents’ swimming and diving and water polo programs, Nicholas became W&J’s 16th NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient earlier this spring and intends to use the scholarship towards his studies at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), where he plans to pursue a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degree. In 2015-16, he earned College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America First Team honors and was recently named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District At-Large Team for the second-straight year. He has twice been named a Division III All-America selection by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) and is a four-time All-PAC honoree in swimming. He is a seven-time Dean’s List awardee and Alpha Scholar at W&J, which recognizes students with a cumulative GPA above 3.85. As a sophomore, Nicholas earned the prestigious Rule, Hughes, Murphy Prize, which is awarded to sophomores with strong character and who demonstrate leadership in both the classroom and college community. He is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta, Alpha Phi Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha honoraries and has served as a Peer Assisted Learning tutor. Nicholas was recently inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a national society honoring students for academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences.

 

Waynesburg University
		Lauren Drane Waynesburg University Munhall, Pennsylvania Steel Valley High School Major: Sports Management Sport: Soccer Lauren is a four-year member of the Waynesburg women’s soccer team, spending the majority of the time as one of its top defenders. She appeared in 56 matches with 27 starts and served as team captain during her senior season. Lauren also showcased her competitive nature and athletic ability by joining the Yellow Jackets’ women’s lacrosse team this past spring, starting all 14 matches for the Orange and Black. She was honored for her work in the classroom as a member of the 2015 PAC Fall Academic Honor Roll. She served as a Relay for Life team captain from 2013-17 and served in a leadership role with the soccer program’s Kick Pancreatic matches. Not only did she help organize the yearly event in all four of her seasons on the pitch, but Lauren led the event as a junior and senior. She has worked as a volunteer at Waynesburg’s summer soccer camps and traveled to Barahona in the Dominican Republic for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) mission trip in 2017. To help prepare for a desired career in public relations, Lauren volunteered with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, a professional men’s soccer team, doing marketing and community relations work in 2016.
		Ryan Shank Waynesburg University South Charleston, West Virginia George Washington High School Major: Psychology Sport: Wrestling After transferring to Waynesburg in the fall of 2014, Ryan spent three years as a starter for the Yellow Jacket wrestling program. Over that time, he posted an impressive overall record of 84-23 and won back-to- back PAC titles in 2016 and 2017. This past winter, Ryan was a Division III Mideast Regional runner-up and qualified for the Division III Championships. He was also a standout in the classroom, where he was honored as a member of the Spring 2016 PAC Academic Honor Roll. Ryan has also been recognized as a PAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Scholar-Athlete of the Month and was honored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) as a Division III Scholar All-American for the second time in his career earlier this year. Most recently, Ryan was named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District At-Large Team selection. He serves as a volunteer at Greene Arc, an organization dedicated to developing quality programming for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and also assists Waynesburg’s Toss Wrestling Club and the Competitive Edge Wrestling Club in Charleston, West Virginia. He has also served as Waynesburg’s wrestling SAAC representative.

 

Westminster College
		Hannah Kappel Westminster College Ligonier, Pennsylvania Ligonier Valley High School Majors: Accounting, Business Administration Sport: Cross Country Hannah was a three-year letter winner with Westminster’s cross country program. She was also an eight-time Dean’s List honoree and three-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection. Hannah served as the president of Westminster’s Mortar Board, a premier national honorary that recognizing students for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. She also served as the scholarship chair with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and as a teaching assistant in the College’s accounting department. Hannah received the Robert E. Lauterbach Scholarship, the Ann Kendlehart Scholarship and the David Edward Entrepreneurial Business Plan Scholarship through Westminster’s School of Business.
		David Jamieson Westminster College Brookfield, Ohio Brookfield High School Major: Accounting Sport: Football David was a three-year letter winner and two-year starter with Westminster’s football program. He was an eight-time member of the College’s Dean’s List, four-time member of the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll and received College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District honors as a senior. He was a recipient of the Clyde A. Armstrong Memorial, the Henrietta Lee Memorial, the Ann M. Kendlehart and the Mark Prosinski Scholarships. He also received the McQuiston Service Award, given to a rising senior male and female, for unselfish service to the Westminster community during their college careers, at the conclusion of his junior year. David spent four years as a member of the College’s Student Government Association (SGA), serving two years as a senator and one year as finance chair before his term as treasurer this year. He was a member of Pi Sigma Pi, a local scholastic honorary, and the College’s Mortar Board, a national honorary recognizing students for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership, and service. David earned the School of Business Outstanding Senior Award and the David B. Fawcett Award, which is given at the College’s athletics awards banquet that honors and acknowledges a male student-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of fairness, sportsmanship, leadership, determination and competitiveness.