Three St. Charles Residents Receive Distinguished Scholar Awards from the Big Ten for 2010-11

Three St. Charles residents are among 534 student-athletes to receive Distinguished Scholar Awards from the Big Ten collegiate sports conference for receiving 3.7 or higher grade point averages for the 2010-11 academic year.

The St. Charles residents who received awards are:

Chris DeSilva, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, men’s track and field, majoring in general engineering.

Kaylee Jamison, a senior at the University of Minnesota, women’s swimming and diving, majoring in biochemistry. She also is among 74 students who had a 4.0 grade point average for 2010-11.

Kelsey Smith, a sophomore at Michigan State University, women’s basketball, majoring in marketing.

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In February 2008, Big Ten faculty representatives established a conference academic recognition to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program, according to a press release from the Big Ten. Similar to the Academic All-Big Ten honor, Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must be letter-winners in at least their second academic year at their institution.

However, the Distinguished Scholar Award includes only student-athletes with minimum grade point averages of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year, excluding summer school. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for a student-athlete’s academic career.

For a complete listing of all students receiving the Distinguished Scholar Award, click here or for more information, visit www.bigten.org