In the 2011-2012 academic year, nearly 400 Penn State student athletes received a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, 51 were named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars and nine earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. It’s an incredible and impressive achievement that speaks to Penn State’s quality as an institution―as well as the dedication, intelligence and drive of its students. These men and women represent a variety of teams, sports and educational disciplines, including:

• Lindsey Graybill ‘13: women’s cross country and track and field, elementary education major
• Kristen Roth ‘12: women’s tennis, communication arts and sciences major
• Rose Snyder ‘13: women’s swimming and diving, elementary education major
• John Urschel ‘12 ‘14g: football, mathematics major

In a recent NCAA study of institutions, it was revealed that Penn State student athletes earned a Graduation Success Rate of 88 percent compared to an average 80 percent across all Division I institutions. Lindsey, Kristen, Rebecca and John are all shining examples of what it truly means to be Penn State student athletes.

Each athlete agrees―they credit their support system of family, teammates and friends for helping manage their tough training and academic schedules, including their caring and devoted coaches who always have high academic and athletic expectations.

“My coaches are always willing to work with my school schedule so I can excel in the classroom and the pool,” Rose said. “My teammates challenge me to find new strengths, and my family has been supportive through all of the ups and downs.”

She added, “I was also able to achieve success with honor as a student athlete by getting to know my professors personally. Although it can be easy to blend in with the crowd academically at such as large university, making myself known as an individual to each of my professors made all the difference.”

Grateful for the Penn State student athlete experience, these students will always be proud to bleed Blue and White.