IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine
Office: 724.738.4854
Cell: 724.991.8302
gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

Athletic training majors receive national scholarships

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Six Slippery Rock University athletic training majors have received $2,000 scholarships from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation – the most ever awarded by the association to students from one institution. Two students also earned $2,000 scholarships from the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society.

            “This is really an amazing accomplishment for these students and our Athletic Training Program,” said Bonnie Siple, SRU program coordinator. “Our students are receiving six of the 45 scholarships awarded to entry-level undergraduate and graduate students nationwide.”

            The six students, all juniors, will receive the Entry-Level Athletic Training Student Scholarships June 18 at the association’s national conference in St. Louis. 

             Scholarship winners are Leah Deist of Boswell, Jennifer Donnelly of Pittsburgh, William Jones of New Kensington, Jenna Micsky of Kittanning, Ashley Rex of Perkasie and Katherine Sullivan of Du Bois. Micsky and Sullivan also received the Undergraduate Athletic Training Scholarships from the Pennsylvania association.

            Students applied for the scholarships and were sponsored by a certified athletic trainer. The scholarship eligibility required that students maintain a 3.2 or higher grade-point average. They also wrote essays and shared their involvement with community service.

              “Freshmen through seniors, we have some of the brightest and most involved students in our Athletic Training Program that I have ever worked with,” Siple said.  “They are great ambassadors of our program and excellent role models for the underclassmen. We are so proud of all of our athletic training students.” 

            The Foundation, affiliated with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing health care for the physically active through funding and support of research and education. NATA’s 18,000-plus certified athletic trainers provide quality health care and apply the latest research and techniques in the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.