Carnegie Mellon University
December 20, 2019

Achievement in Athletics and Academics

Sixth annual ceremony recognizes student athletes with highest GPAs

Michael Henninger

Thirty-one Carnegie Mellon University student-athletes were recognized at the sixth annual Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Celebration in the Posner Center. This fall was a standout athletics season where five of six teams made the postseason, including the women's soccer team which made the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Semifinal for the first time in school history.

The event celebrates the top junior and senior student-athletes with the highest GPA's across each academic college and team. The students honored hold an average 3.83 GPA. Ten have a perfect 4.0.

Three Mellon College of Science students were among the 31 honorees, including Jamie Greenwell, a biological sciences major who plays on the football team, and chemistry majors Camille Williams and Sam Adida, who play on the women’s and men’s soccer teams, respectively. 

"I feel strongly that our student-athletes, as they pursue their athletic dreams, are some of the best-rounded individuals on this campus. They are leaders. They impact others. They leave a legacy," said Josh Centor, associate vice president of student affairs and director of athletics, physical education and recreation.

The room boasted seven Academic All-Americans, some multiple honorees. Invitees set 12 school records in 10 sports.

"Athletics is a vital component of the overall CMU experience, contributing to our vision of a healthy and well-balanced community for everyone," said James H. Garrett, Jr., provost and chief academic officer of Carnegie Mellon.

Each recognized student is asked to invite a faculty or staff member who has contributed to their academic success.

Camille WilliamsCamille Williams

Professor of Chemistry Bruce Armitage was able to see some of his students at the event, including student speaker Camille Williams, a senior chemistry major that plays on the women's soccer team. Williams is a two-time Academic All-American who played in more games for the women's soccer program than any other Tartan in history.

"I think what's special about CMU is that in Division III, the 'student' part of 'student-athlete' really means something compared to other universities," Armitage said. "Camille was very interactive in class, adding a lot to the discussion. I wish I had a room full of students like Camille."