Five MCS Students Named Top Academic Athletes
- Associate Dean for MCS Communications, MCS
Five Mellon College of Science students were recognized as top student-athletes at the Department of Athletics’ Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Celebration, held during finals week.
“Our talented student-athletes represent the best of CMU by performing at an outstanding level academically and demonstrating teamwork and leadership through their commitment in the pool or on the field, track or court,” said President Farnam Jahanian. “Despite the disappointment of not being able to play competitively this year, that commitment has been unwavering and I am so proud to recognize and support these students on their achievements.”
While an in-person celebration is on hold for now, the highest-performing junior and senior student-athletes in each undergraduate college and on each team are still being recognized for their academic performance.
The top seniors for MCS were mathematical sciences major Ray Boppana from men’s tennis and chemistry major Megan Rice from the women’s cross country and track and field teams. Boppana was also honored by the College Sports Information Directors (CoSIDA) last year on the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team. And he earned All-University Athletic Association recognition.
The top juniors were biological sciences major Erik Dehkes from football and mathematical sciences major Stephanie Erickson from women’s swimming and diving.
Junior William Knauth was recognized for having the top GPA on the men’s golf team. He was also honored as a Division III Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar and finished fourth on the team in stroke average.
“We are proud of our student-athletes’ accomplishments in the classroom, in research and in competition,” said Rebecca W. Doerge, Glen de Vries Dean of the Mellon College of Science. “By participating in sports, students learn leadership, teamwork, discipline and how to balance work and life. These skills are so valuable to our students now and will continue to give them a competitive advantage as they become the leaders of the future.”