WEXFORD, Pa. (pacathletics.org) - The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) hosted its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet Thursday, May 16th. The evening of celebration was held at The Chadwick in Wexford.

With overwhelming support from conference's presidents and athletic administrators, the PAC launched its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet in 2014 as another way to recognize the league's student-athletes for their athletic achievements, excellence in the classroom and outstanding community service efforts. This was the 11th class of scholar-athletes recognized by the conference

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.

Over 110 guests were on hand to join in the celebration of the 24 recognized scholar-athletes.

Each of the PAC's 11 full-time member institutions – Allegheny College, Bethany College, Chatham University, Franciscan University, Geneva College, Grove City College, Saint Vincent College, Thiel 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. 

2024 Awardees
Madeline Allen
Allegheny College
Columbus, Ohio
Worthington Kilbourne High School
Major: English
Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field
Madeline Allen had an outstanding senior year for the Gators. Between cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track, she has set five personal records during the 2023-24 seasons. That includes two PRs at the 2024 PAC Outdoor Championships, where she finished on the podium in both the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. During the 2022-23 seasons, Allen, a former All-PAC Honorable Mention in cross country, was a part of Allegheny’s championship three-peat, as the Gators captured all three conference titles in cross country and track & field. As an English major with a minor in Education Studies, Allen boasts a 4.0 grade-point average. She is a Distinguished Alden and Doane Scholar, and has been named to the NCAC and PAC Academic Honor Rolls. She will continue her education by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in poetry at Florida State University.

John McAuliffe
Allegheny College
Massillon, Ohio
Jackson High School
Major: Chemistry
Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field
A four-year member of Allegheny’s cross country and track & field programs, Joe McAuliffe has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average while honing his craft on the track and the trails. A 2022 All-PAC Second Team honoree in cross country, McAuliffe participated in two Great Lakes Regional Championship races in the fall of 2021 and 2022. On the track, he earned points with top-eight performances in nine different championship events in both the NCAC and PAC. Most recently, he helped the Gators’ DMR team place sixth at the 2023-24 PAC Indoor Championships in February.
Academically, McAuliffe is a Distinguished Alden and Doane Scholar, has been named to the NCAC and PAC Academic Honor Rolls, and was a 2023 CSC Academic All-District selection. A chemistry major with a minor in French, McAuliffe plans on continuing his education at Cornell University, where he will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Grace Tice
Bethany College
Mansfield, Pennsylvania
North-Penn Mansfield High School
Major: Biochemistry
Sports: Volleyball, Track & Field
Tice was a four-year member of Bethany’s women’s volleyball and track and field programs and a four-time PAC Champion with back-to-back championships in volleyball and javelin and is the first female in Bison track history to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in back-to-back seasons. She has been lauded as a member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll four times. On Campus, she is a member of Tri-Beta Honors Society, American Chemical Honors Society, Pre-Health Club, Equine Club, a Resident Assistant and an assistant for Ohio Valley Volleyball Company. On May 11, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and will attend St. George’s University in Grenada to obtain a doctorate in veterinary medicine.

Tyler Britton
Bethany College
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling Park High School
Major: Political Science
Sport: Lacrosse
Britton was a four-year member of the Bison and is one of the top scorers in Bethany history and has etched his name in the Bison record books holding the scoring record with 122 career goals, single-game goals record with nine, and ranks second all-time in career points with 163. He became the single-season goals record holder against Franciscan with 45 goals this season. On Campus, he is a member of Phi Kappa Tau where he served as Recruitment Chairman, President and Seargent at Arms and a Kalon Scholar. On May 11, he graduated with a bachelor’s in political science and will return to Bethany for their MBA program and then go to law school somewhere near home.

Thomas Coury
Carnegie Mellon University
Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Phillipsburg High School
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Sport: Football
Thomas was a 2022 and 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America, and three-time All-PAC honoree throughout his career. He ended the 2023 season ranked third on the team in tackles with 63 and recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, six passes defended, three fumble recoveries, forced two fumbles, blocked a punt and returned a block punt and a strip sack each for a touchdown. His three fumble recoveries were tops in the PAC and ranked sixth nationally. He played a huge part in the Tartans back-to-back PAC Championship run in 2021 and 2022, as he was part of a defense in 2023 that led the league in scoring defense, rushing defense, total defense, turnovers gained, fumbles recovered, passes intercepted, turnover margin and tackles for loss for the third consecutive season. Coury was a summer associate for EY-Parthenon and has also been an engineering/project management intern for Curtiss-Wright. He is a member of Undergraduate Consulting Club, Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, the Sports Analytics Club and Cru at Carnegie Mellon. Coury has volunteered at the Western Spring Sectional competition of the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

Dominic Wade
Case Western Reserve University
New Castle, Pennsylvania
Laurel High School
Major: Finance & Organizational Behavior
Sport: Football
Dominic Wade has been a standout member of the Case Western Reserve University football team for the last four seasons on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. Dominic, a tight end, has played in 26 games over his career, finishing his time as a Spartan with 14 receptions for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also serving as a blocker in the running and passing games. This past season, he set career highs with seven receptions for 94 yards and a score, including a career-best three receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown during the team’s win over Westminster. Dominic will graduate from CWRU in the spring as a finance major with a cumulative 3.61 GPA and has received PAC Academic Honor Roll and UAA All-Academic honors during his career, in addition to being named to the 2024 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society. He has also served as the Philanthropy Chair for the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity during his time at the school. He also has interned in the brokerage department at Fischer Company and with the Debt Capital Markets Group at PNC, where he will be working full-time following his graduation this spring.

Meghan Dominek
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
North Hills High School
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Volleyball
During the 2023 season, Meghan Dominek was a key member of the Cougars’ first Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championship appearance. The All-PAC Second Team Member led the conference in digs per set at 6.01 and was at the center of Chatham’s league-leading defense in terms of opponent hitting percentage (.086) and kills (778). During her career, Dominek earned All-PAC honors three times (two first-team nods and one second-team), recorded the most digs in a single Cougar season (657) and amassed 1,850 career digs, a program record. After the 2023 season, she ranked ninth for active career leaders in digs in all of Division III. Dominek graduated with a grade point average of 3.97 and a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. Currently, she is enrolled in Chatham’s Doctoral of Physical Therapy program.

Logan Blankenship
Chatham University
Dover, Delaware
Dover High School
Major: Exercise Science
Sport: Lacrosse
A four-year member of the Chatham Men’s Lacrosse program at defender, Logan is a three-time All-PAC selection and served as captain for the Cougars in his last three seasons. He appeared in 59 career games with a program-record 55 starts. Logan has accumulated 61 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers in his career. He graduated summa cum laude this spring and was an eight-time Dean’s List honoree. Logan was named the 2023-24 Exercise Science Student of the Year at Chatham while serving as the Exercise Science club treasurer, a Mental Health club member, a Cougar Council club member, and an SAAC representative. Logan is now on to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Delaware.

Grace Wallace
Franciscan University
Reisterstown, Maryland
Mount De Sales Academy
Major: Nursing
Sport: Volleyball
Grace Wallace was a three-year member of the women’s volleyball team at Franciscan. She was one of the team captains this season, as she helped lead them to their first winning season in program history. Over the last two seasons, she has served as the team’s primary setter. She holds program records for the most set assists in a three, four, and five-set match. Her 7.21 assists per set is the best in Franciscan history. After the 2023 season, she was recognized by the PAC with Second Team honors. The nursing major also excelled in the classroom with a 3.93 GPA. She has been named to the PAC Honor Roll in each of her three seasons, as well as the CSC Academic All-District Team twice. She was very active on campus, as she was the Coordinator for the Madonna of the Streets household and worked for Intramurals. She had an internship back in her home state in Baltimore at a pregnancy center. She also had an impact outside of the United States, as she served on a summer mission trip to Ecuador. There she helped at an orphanage while she focused on forming Christ-centered, uplifting relationships with the children and local community. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing this May. She plans to work as a registered nurse while pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Franciscan.

Jax Mautone
Franciscan University
Kingston, New York
Coleman Catholic High School
Major: Theology
Sport: Soccer
Mautone was a five-year member of the Men’s Soccer team at Franciscan. He appeared in 58 games while serving as the primary goalkeeper for the last three seasons. His 270 saves, 32 wins, 16 shutouts, and seven ties are all the most in program history, as he has rewrote the program record book over his time in Steubenville. In 2022, he helped lead the Barons to their first PAC Championship and bid into the NCAA National Championship Tournament. In 2022 and 2021, he was named Honorable Mention All-PAC. He has also been academically recognized by the conference in four straight seasons. On campus, he was an active member of the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG) Household. Mautone participated in the Center for Leadership on campus to develop into a strong Catholic leader. He graduated with a degree in Theology and a minor in Philosophy and then remained at Franciscan to earn his master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. He will also remain in Steubenville to work as a Mental Health Counselor, as he will primarily work with adolescents. Mautone became passionate about working with adolescents from his years of working camps with Head Coach Brent Ridenour. You will also see him on the field next season, as he is joining as an Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for the 2024 season.

Julia Hart
Geneva College
Prospect, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock High School
Major: Sport Management
Sports: Soccer, Softball
Julia Hart graduated with a degree in Sport Management this month and is planning to return to Geneva to work on her master’s degree in higher education. She graduated with cum laude honors with a GPA of 3.5. Julia began her athletic career at Geneva as the starting goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team her freshman season, starting all nine games during the COVID season, finishing with two shutouts while making 17 saves against Chatham, the most saves in a game by a Geneva keeper in ten years. An injury at the end of the soccer season forced her to miss her freshman season of softball, and entering her sophomore year Julia decided to focus just on softball. She quickly developed into one of the top softball hitters in the PAC, earning All-PAC honors all three seasons she has played, including the past two seasons when she has been named a First Team All-PAC selection. She finished in the top three in the PAC this season in batting average, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. Julia was also named an NCCAA All-Midwest Region selection this year. Outside of her playing career, the past three years she’s worked summer softball clinics at Geneva and Slippery Rock. The past two years she has served as an athletic training intern in Geneva’s training department. Julia also serves in the athletic department working game operations, and this past year she served as a Learning in Transition mentor for the freshman class.

Jack Garvin
Geneva College
Northumberland, Pennsylvania
Northumberland Christian High School
Major: Cybersecurity
Sport: Track & Field
Jack Garvin is working on his master’s degree in cybersecurity after completing his undergraduate degree in three years with a GPA over 3.25. He joined the track team prior to his junior year after having no real prior track experience, and quickly developed into the top high jumper in the PAC. He broke the indoor school record in the high jump just three months into his track career, eventually winning both the indoor and outdoor PAC Championships in the event. This season, Jack increased the school record in the indoor high jump to 2.06 (6’9”) meters, qualifying for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships where he placed 15th. He again won the PAC Championships in both the indoor and outdoor high jump events in 2024. He also added to his event list this year, competing as a sprinter and winning the indoor 60-meter PAC Championship while finishing 5th in the outdoor 100-meter championships. He also placed third in the javelin. Jack stays busy beyond his academic and athletic responsibilities. This year he served as a graduate assistant in Geneva’s computer science department. Jack also began teaching computers to middle schoolers at Portersville Christian school this school year. For the past two seasons he has been the head boys varsity high school basketball coach for the Plants and Pillars homeschool organization in the area. He is active in his church, helping teach the elementary Sunday School class this year. Jack also teaches piano lessons to multiple children in the area.

Holly Grose
Grove City College
Kailua, Hawai’i
F.H.S.A.A.
Major: Exercise Science
Sports: Soccer
A three-year letter winner at defender, senior Holly Grose helped the Grove City College women’s soccer team capture the Presidents’ Athletic Conference title and berth in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament in 2023. Grose played in a career-high 16 matches during the 2023 campaign, helping the Wolverines post four shutouts and a 0.80 goals-against average in conference play. Grove City finished 9-0-1 in conference play last fall and went 14-5-1 overall. The Wolverines compiled a 32-4-1 conference record during Grose’s four seasons. She returned from an injury in fall 2021 to make a career-high 10 starts during the 2022 season. Grove City went 9-0-1 during the spring 2021 regular season and advanced to the conference championship game. Grose has been named to the conference’s Academic Honor Roll while majoring in exercise science. She has also been named to the Dean’s List. She owns the highest cumulative grade-point average among Grove City’s four-year female senior student-athletes in the Class of 2024, 3.98.

Robert Tamburrino
Grove City College
Rock Creek, Ohio
Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School
Major: Finance
Sport: Football
Although he has not accumulated gaudy statistics in his fullback position, Grove City College senior football player Robert Tamburrino has played an integral role in the Wolverines’ rise to the top of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Tamburrino has started in each of his four seasons at fullback, helping Grove City lead the conference in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense throughout his career. In 2023, he served as a lead blocker for All-Region running back Nico Flati and fellow running back Clayton Parrish, who finished third all-time at Grove City with 54 rushing touchdowns. Grove City led the conference in total first downs, third down conversion rate, fourth down success and time of possession in 2023. The Wolverines won their first outright conference title since 1997 while also posting the program’s first-ever 10-0 regular season. Grove City then defeated Susquehanna in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, 21-20, recording the program’s first NCAA playoff victory. The conference’s head coaches recognized Tamburrino’s abilities as he earned Second Team All-PAC recognition in both 2022 and 2023. A finance major, Tamburrino earned College Sports Communicators Academic All- District recognition in 2023. He has also been named to the Dean’s List and the conference’s Academic Honor Roll. He also owns the highest cumulative grade-point average among Grove City’s four-year male senior student-athletes in the Class of 2024, 3.97.

Olivia Persin
Saint Vincent College
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Hempfield High School
Majors: Mathematics, Computer Science, & Data Science
Sports: Softball, Volleyball
Along with playing two seasons on the Saint Vincent women’s volleyball team, Olivia Persin was a four-year starter at shortstop for the Bearcat softball teams. One of the most consistent performers in the PAC over her 129-game career, Persin graduated with a .368 career batting average,
153 hits, 26 doubles, 66 RBIs and 121 runs scored. In 2022, she earned an All-PAC selection after ranking in the top three in the PAC in batting average (.460), hits (57), on-base percentage (.492) and runs scored (41 - a program record).In 2023, she batted .328 and scored a team-leading 36 runs, before wrapping up her career by batting .355 with 37 hits, 34 runs scored, 20 RBIs and a .451 on-base percentage en route to landing her second career All-PAC nod. Persin was named CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District in both 2022 & 2023 and is a three-year selection to the PAC Academic Honor Roll and a three-time NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. Persin graduated with honors with a triple major in mathematics, computer science, & data science. She was president of the Student Government Association executive board, SGA class president & treasurer, and treasurer of the Saint Vincent Women in STEM Club and Mathematics Club She earned induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Mu Epsilon, Alpha Iota Mu, and Chi Alpha Sigma national honor societies. Persin was presented with the Saint Vincent College President’s Award. After completing internships through the Department of Defense, the Office of Naval Research and Lockheed Martin, Persin will work for the federal government.

C.J. Ciecierski
Saint Vincent College
Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Franklin Regional High School
Majors: Biochemistry & Engineering
Sport: Football
C.J. Ciecierski was an anchor on the offensive line for the Saint Vincent College football team. After seeing extensive playing time as a freshman in 2020, Ciecierski stepped into the full-time starting spot at right tackle in 2021, a role he would not relinquish. In 2021, he earned All-PAC accolades and was voted the Bearcats’ Most Valuable Lineman after helping lead the team to a berth in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl, spearheading an offensive line unit that surrendered only 17 quarterback sacks, paved the way for 16 rushing touchdowns, and helped quarterback Brady Walker throw for 2,721 yards and 22 touchdowns. After missing the bulk of the 2022 season due to injury, Ciecierski stepped right back into a full-time starting role at right tackle as a senior, landing a spot on the PAC Sportsmanship Team. A four-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, Ciecierski was selected to the 2023 Hampshire Honor Society and the CSC Academic All-District squad. Ciecierski graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in biochemistry and engineering, and a minor in mathematics. Ciecierski was presented the Award for Academic Excellence in Biochemistry. He has earned induction into the Alpha Lambda Delta, Tri Beta, Gamma Sigma Epsilon and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies. The 2023 Homecoming king, Ciecierski was a four-year vice president of the Student Government Association and served as a member of the College’s Orientation Committee. Ciecierski will pursue a career in medicine, enrolling at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Ashlyn Wightman
Thiel College
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Shaler High School
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Lacrosse
Ashlyn Wightman is a seven-semester Dean’s List student who carries a 3.83 grade-point average. She twice qualified for the PAC Academic Honor Roll and was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2023. A business administration major with tracks in advertising & marketing and finance, Wightman is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma. She served as a student employee for Thiel’s Department of Athletics and has volunteered as a coach for middle school girls lacrosse at Shaler Area School District. A four-time All-PAC First Team pick in lacrosse, Wightman was honored as the league’s 2024 Midfielder of the Year. She led the conference in points (109) and goals (96) this season and currently ranks second and 13th in Division III, respectively. She also became Thiel’s career leader in points (305) and goals (274) in 2024, surpassing Cassy Mahdi’s records which stood since 2015. Wightman was named a USA Lacrosse Magazine Division III Preseason All-American (third team) in February. She ranked second in Division III in 2023 in goals (102) and tied for 11th in points (110), both of which were program single- season records. She also set a new PAC single-season record in goals. Wightman plans to play her fifth season with the Tomcats in 2025. Upon graduation, she looks forward to serving as the marketing and social media manager for her family’s event planning business in Conneautville, Pa.

Jared Curcio
Thiel College
Avonmore, Pennsylvania
Kiski Area High School
Majors: Early Childhood & Special Education
Sports: Football, Wrestling
Jared Curcio is a seven-semester Dean’s List student who carries a 4.0 grade-point average. He was named a Student of the Month in February,
an honor reserved for seniors and among the most prestigious student awards at Thiel College. An early childhood and special education major, Curcio is a member of Alpha Chi and Chi Alpha Sigma honors societies. He qualified for the PAC Academic Honor Roll five times and was twice named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District First Team selection. Curcio excelled in wrestling and football. On the mat, he was a two-time PAC champion at 184 pounds and helped the Tomcats capture their league-leading 24th title in 2023. On the gridiron, he led Thiel in tackles in 2023 (74) and ranked 12th in the conference in average tackles per game (7.4). He tied for the team lead in tackles (50) in 2022. Curcio volunteered at the Zion Education Center for an after-school program through Thiel football, at the Baughman Center in Greenville for an exercise and leadership program, and for the Thiel College Phonathon. He also worked for the Thiel Team (admissions). He was Thiel’s MVP in 2023 and Dual-Sport Athlete of the Year in 2022. Curcio plans to become an elementary school teacher and wrestling coach with his older brother, Vaughn.

Cassandra Carr
Washington & Jefferson College
Girard, Pennsylvania
Girard High School
Majors: Psychology, Gender & Women’s Studies
Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field
Cassie Carr finished her standout career a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Division III Women’s Cross Country Championship and one of the best runners in school history holding multiple records. Carr earned All-Region honors and All-PAC honors three times apiece in the sport of Cross Country. Carr finished in ninth place this past November at the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional after placing fifth in the 2023 PAC Championships. Last November, Carr was the first female President to be awarded the prestigious NCAA Elite 90 award. Carr was twice honored by the PAC as its SAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Month and has been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll in each of her seven semesters. Carr is a W&J Alpha Scholar and a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Team member. Carr has earned several awards throughout her time at W&J, including the 2024 Richard R. Martin Prize in Psychology, the 2023 David K. Scarborough Leadership Award, the 2023 Paul L. Reardon Award, and the 2022 Rules, Hughes, Murphy Award. Carr is an active participant on W&J’s campus serving as a class representative for SGA, a SAAC representative, a three-year resident assistant for first-year students, and a Red & Black contributor. Carr has compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA while majoring in both Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies, and minoring in Mathematics. After graduation, she plans to attend the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

Nate Sciarro
Washington & Jefferson College
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
Riverside High School
Major: Business Administration
Sport: Track & Field
Nate Sciarro, a four-year standout, will go down as one of the best in W&J Track & Field history. He holds school records in both the Long Jump (7.17 meters) and the High Jump (1.95 meters). Sciarro went a perfect seven-for-seven during his career in taking home the individual title in the Long Jump at the respective Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships. Sciarro earned PAC Field MVP honors five times including during all three indoor seasons. He earned All-Region honors three times from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). During the 2023 season, Sciarro helped guide the W&J men’s track & field team to its first PAC indoor title in program history. Sciarro took first in the Long Jump, second in the Triple Jump and fifth in the High Jump to push the Presidents to the team title. Sciarro earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from W&J. Upon graduation, Nate will work as a Product Specialist in Inside Sales with Ellwood Specialty Metals, located in New Castle, Pa.

Kate James
Waynesburg University
Silver Spring, Maryland
St. John’s College High School
Major: Forensic Chemistry
Sport: Soccer
Kate James, a four-year letter winner and two-year team captain for the Waynesburg University women’s soccer team graduated with a degree in forensic chemistry. She is a three-time All-PAC selection being named to the All-PAC First Team & the PAC All-Tournament Team in 2023. Additionally she was named a First Team All-Region pick by the United Soccer Coaches and to the All-ECAC Second Team as a senior. Kate was a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree and was tabbed as a Scholar All-East Region selection by the United Soccer Coaches. Kate worked as a chemistry lab assistant while also performing research. She presented her findings with research posters at the American Chemical Society’s San Diego Conference in 2022 and New Orleans conference in 2024. Kate served as an oral presenter for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists annual meeting in Pittsburgh. She is a two-time ACS undergraduate award winner in analytical chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Kate served as president of a student research group in Biomedical Initiatives in 2023. She is a member of Gamma Sigma Epsilon and Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national chemistry honorary and the national mathematics honors society. Kate is a four-time PAC Academic Honor Roll honoree and volunteered at the Humane Society while at Waynesburg. She will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a master’s degree in forensic science with a concentration in drug analysis and toxicology while working as a teaching assistant and continuing research. In the future, she hopes to work as a forensic toxicologist.

Ethan Lown
Waynesburg University
Lebanon, PA
Elizabethtown High School
Major: Political Science
Sport: Tennis
Ethan Lown graduated as a political science major with a business management minor and a four-year member and two-year captain of the Waynesburg University men’s tennis team. He was a multi-year All-PAC selection for singles and doubles and has collected PAC Sportsmanship Team honors. Ethan was a four-year starter at No. 1 doubles and has played at the top singles spot for the Jackets in each of the last two seasons. He was
named Academic All-District by the College Sports Communicators last spring. On campus, Ethan was a Stover Scholar and served as student senate president. He was the president of Waynesburg’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the PAC SAAC president. Ethan was an on-campus leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and worked in the admissions office. Ethan is a three-time PAC Academic Honor Roll award winner. This fall, he plans on enrolling in law school and pursuing a career as a lawyer.

Sophia Galietta
Westminster College
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Bethel Park High School
Majors: Fine Arts & Psychology
Sport: Soccer
Sophia graduated May 11 with bachelor’s degrees in fine arts and psychology. A native of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania and defender with the women’s soccer program, she was named a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America® Second Team selection Dec. 20. Sophia was recognized as the PAC’s Defensive Player of the Year on Nov. 7 before claiming a spot on the United Soccer Coaches All-Region VII Second Team Nov. 28. The fourth Westminster women’s soccer player to earn Academic All-America® honors, Sophia made starts in all 57 career matches played and helped the program post 31 shutouts (18 in league play) between 2020-23. She is an eight-time Dean’s List selection and has earned PAC Academic Honor Roll distinction four times. Sophia is a member of Westminster’s All-College Honors Program, has been the recipient of the Drinko Center Research Grant as well as the Clara Bruhn Memorial Scholarship. She fulfilled an art internship requirement in the spring of 2023 at The Purple Cat, a day center for adults with disabilities located in Lowellville, Ohio, where clients participate in a wide range of vocational functions, creative projects and classes that develop daily living skills. She received the Dr. Darwin W. Huey Scholar-Athlete of the Year award at the 19th Annual WESPY (Westminster Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year) Awards celebration on April 29. Sophia plans to attend graduate school to earn a master’s degree in art therapy.

Jacob Steinbeck
Westminster College
Windber, Pennsylvania
Windber High School
Major: Biology
Sport: Soccer
Jake graduated May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. A native of Windber, Pennsylvania, he is an eight-time Dean’s List honoree and has been named to the PAC’s Academic Honor Roll four times. A recipient of the Department of Biology’s Nathan and E. Lucile Beerbower Frey Scholarship, he is a member of Westminster’s All-College Honors Program and Pi Sigma Pi, a local scholastic fraternity honoring superior students. Jake has recently publicly defended his capstone research project on “The Effects of Lead (Pb2+) on the Morphology of the Skeletal System and Swim Bladder of Embryonic Zebrafish (Danio rerio).” He received the Dr. Darwin W. Huey Scholar-Athlete of the Year award at the 19th Annual WESPY (Westminster
Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year) Awards celebration on Apr. 29 and was honored as a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® selection in 2022. A forward, Jake has 46 career appearances with a combined 12 starts. He plans to attend medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and pursue a Doctor of Osteopathy degree to become an orthopedic surgeon.