Athletics Celebrates Student-Athlete Academic Success
Carnegie Mellon took time to celebrate its student-athletes on Wednesday, December 16, as members of the academic community and senior administration joined the athletics department to honor a select group of student-athletes for their success in the classroom. The second annual Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Celebration recognized the top juniors and seniors in each of the six undergraduate colleges that comprise Carnegie Mellon. The 29 students invited to attend the event boast an average GPA of 3.80. Seventeen have cumulative GPAs of 3.9 or higher and nine have unblemished academic records with perfect 4.0s.
Carnegie Mellon President Subra Suresh praised the student-athletes for their work in the classroom while recognizing that participation in athletics can be a transformative experience for students. Suresh thanked the students for the way they represent the university and expressed excitement for the tradition being established with the Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Celebration.
“This is well on its way to being a Carnegie Mellon tradition – to celebrate the accomplishments, both athletic and academic. There is no better place on the planet to do this than Carnegie Mellon,” said Dr. Suresh. “The future bodes very well because of the 29 of you that are here in this room.”
The performance of Carnegie Mellon’s student-athletes in the classroom has been a significant point of pride for the community. Last fall, 78 student-athletes finished the semester with 4.0 GPAs while 68 were perfect in the classroom during the spring semester.
“You represent the absolute best of intercollegiate athletics and what it should be about. Participation in intercollegiate athletics must complement the learning that takes place in the classroom and you all live that philosophy each and every day,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor.
Other speakers at Wednesday’s event included senior students Amanda Broderick and Christopher Herrera. Both Broderick and Herrera were recognized at the event last year, along with eight other returning honorees. Broderick, a member of the nationally-ranked women’s soccer team, spoke about the influence of her teammates while Herrera, a wide receiver on the football team, said the balance between academics and the athletics department is a driving force for the students and the program.
Each of the recognized students had the opportunity to invite an influential faculty member or academic advisor to the event. The athletics department will to host next year’s Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Celebration on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.