March 11, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State women's swimming team standout Molly Crispell (Boalsburg, Pa.) along with Indiana football player Kevin Trulock were named recipients of the 2008 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award presented by the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership.
The award is an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior student-athlete pursuing a postgraduate degree for achievements in academics, athletics, civic service and leadership.
Crispell, a biobehavioral health major with a minor in gerontology in Penn State's Schreyer's Honors College, boasts a 4.0 grade point average. She is currently in the application process with several dual-degree Master of Medical Science and Master of Public Health programs with an eye toward a career as a physician assistant.
A two-time team captain, Crispell has been honored as an ESPN The Magazine second team Academic All-American, Academic All-District Team honoree and Academic All-Big Ten selection. She is a two-time NCAA qualifier and a 2006 and 2007 NCAA Honorable Mention All-American. A member of several honor societies, Crispell was also a part of the 800-meter freestyle relay team that holds the school record in the event. She has served as an undergraduate research assistant on two occasions and a teaching assistant for the Penn State Department of Nutrition.
"The Big Ten and its member institutions place great value on athletic and academic success, civic service and leadership," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. "Former Commissioner Wayne Duke focused on these principles throughout his tenure and this award is properly named in his honor. We congratulate Kevin and Molly for this tremendous accolade and thank the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership for recognizing the efforts of Big Ten student-athletes."
"Kevin and Molly are incredible examples of the commitment and talent exemplified in Big Ten student-athletes," said Jerry Semler of the Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee. "The Wayne Duke Award appropriately recognizes these two student-athletes for their accomplishments and future aspirations, and we are pleased to present these inaugural awards and look forward to recognizing student-athletes for years to come. These awards are made possible through a tremendous amount of community support and we thank those who have made contributions."
The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the former Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971-89. While leading the Big Ten, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for student-athletes.