BUFFALO, NY – Diver Michael McDowell took home top honors at the University at Buffalo Division of Athletics Academic Celebration on Tuesday. The senior diver on the swimming and diving team was awarded the Clifford C. Furnas Award.
The Furnas Award is provided through annual interest earnings from the C.C. Furnas Fund in the University at Buffalo Foundation, Inc. and recognizes outstanding undergraduate performance in scholarship and athletic prowess. The recipient must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and be committed to graduate study, have strong personal character and outstanding athletic accomplishments.
McDowell, a mathematics major with a 3.73 GPA, redshirted this season, but has had a stellar diving career. He is the school record holder in both the one-meter and three-meter events. He was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2009 as well as a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree. McDowell spent the 2009-10 school year as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The recipients of the Ideal Bull Distinguished Student-Athlete Leadership Award were McDowell and Denise Harijanto of the women’s tennis team. This award is given by the Intercollegiate Athletics Board to honor senior athletes who have demonstrated leadership beyond their own teams to the Division and/or the campus, and whose character, actions, excellence and concern for other student-athletes make them strong ambassadors for the Division of Athletics and the University at Buffalo.
John Boyer of the men’s basketball team was this year’s winner of the Chrisy Dickerson Unsung Hero Award, as selected by SAAC to recognize an individual who makes a significant contribution on the court, field or in the pool and is recognized for his or her dedication, unselfishness and contribution to the team. The award is named in honor of Christine Dickerson, a member of UB’s rowing team who died tragically in a car accident in Ellicottville on December 11, 2002.
Kim Dale women’s swimming and diving and Katie Ivancich of the softball team received the Student-Athlete Excellence in Community Service Award, which honors a senior student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to serving the Western New York Community, as well as excelling in the classroom, while devoting himself or herself to the success of his or her team.
Also recognized at Tuesday's ceremony were UB student-athletes that received the Taurus Aureus Award, Chi Alpha Sigma Award, MAC Commissioner’s Award and MAC Presidential Award.
Taurus Aureus, which was given to 49 student-athletes, is given to student-athletes with an overall grade point average of 3.00 or higher and have completed at least 95 credit hours.
Chi Alpha Sigma had 20 recipients and is the award given to students with a 3.40 GPA and who have completed at least 60 credit hours.
The MAC Commissioner’s Award, given to eight athletes, goes to a student-athlete with a 3.50 GPA, who is of sophomore, junior or senior standing.
Finally, the MAC Presidential Award is given to a student-athlete with a 3.50 GPA and is a graduating senior. Twenty two student-athletes were given the MAC Presidential Award.