North Carolina State University Athletics
Caterpillar Honors Student-Athletics Achievements
4/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
BY BONA JONES
RALEIGH, N.C. Craig Gardner, the human resources director for Caterpillar’s Building Construction Products Division, was a brave soul when he stepped up to the microphone Monday night to deliver a speech in front of more than 300 starving NC State student-athletes and faculty members.
He began his speech by saying he hoped to fit into five minutes something that would be memorable for everyone in attendance at the annual Caterpillar Scholar-Athlete Banquet at the Holiday Inn Brownstone Hotel and Conference Center.
And he succeeded.
After taking out a crisp $20 bill, he proceeded to ask who would like to have it. Obviously, all hands were raised. He then crumpled up the bill and stepped on it. Then he asked if anyone still wanted it. Times being what they are, not a single hand was lowered.
In fact, a few more went up.
The analogy that he was trying to portray was that no matter how much life knocks you down and stomps on you, you are still an invaluable member of this society; especially to those whose lives you are a part of.
This is especially true in the unforgiving life of a student-athlete. Almost everyone can probably say that they have felt just as stomped and crumpled $20 bill, with pressure coming from all sides of the spectrum.
Even the hundreds of NC State athletes at Monday’s banquet all of whom had a 3.0 grade point average or better had felt that way at one time or another, though the night was dedicated to celebrating their academic achievements over the last calendar year.
However, they each have found a way to find a balance between competing in their sport and handling their academic responsibilities, while maintaining family and social relationships.
The list of those achievements was long and impressive, as NC State executive director of academic support program for student-athletes Phil Moses read off name after name and award after award, from various team achievements to the names of the school’s top 10 scholar-athletes, seven of which have been here a minimum of seven semesters and maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.
There was plenty of applause to go around throughout the course of the evening. And the student-athletes were also appreciative, on one of the few nights they had the opportunity to dress up in their finest attire and have an elegant meal of steak, roasted chicken, vegetables and cheesecake in the Brownstone ballroom.
Bona Jones competes for the NC State women’s cross country and track teams.
NC State’s Top 10 Scholar Athletes for 2009
Robert Bedsole, men’s track and field: A senior from Hoover, Ala., Bedsole majors in Biomedical Engineering and will pursue a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA and is an active member of Tau Beta Pi. Bedsole was named to the ACC Honor Roll.
Keri DeMar, volleyball: A junior from Stamford, Conn., DeMar double majors in Finance and Pyschology with minors in Chinese Studies and Political Science. She is a member of the University Scholars Progam, Phi Kappa Phi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa next month. She has been named to the dean’s list and has been a scholar-athlete for four semesters. She has won the ACC Top Six for Service Award, Caterpillar Scholar-Athlete of the Week and is a recipient of the Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar Award. She was accepted into the 2009 Wall Street Internship program and will be interning at JPMorgan Chase’s investment banking division this summer in New York City.
Kristy Kenney, women’s basketball: A senior from Apex, N.C., majors in Animal Science and minors in Genetics. She has been accepted into the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine for the coming fall. She has made the dean’s list every semester she has been at NC State. She is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Gamma Sigma Delta Honors Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society and the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi.
Jacob Kensmoe, baseball: A redshirt junior from Greensboro, N.C., majors in Computer Science with a 3.99 GPA. He has made the dean’s list every semester he has been at NC State. He was on the 2007 ACC All-Academic Team and the ACC Honor Roll 2005-08.
Tami Krzezewski, women’s soccer: A senior from Erie, Pa., majors in Social Work and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to obtain her masters degree in Social Work. She has been named to the ACC All-Academic Team four years in a row. She has also been named to the Adidas Women’s University Scholar All-South Region and is a member of Phi Kappa Phi.
Jason Morgan, men’s cross country/track and field: A junior from Arden, N.C., majors in Aerospace Engineering and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He has been on the dean’s list every semester since being at NC State. He has also been on the ACC Honor Roll 2006-08.
Ty Roach, wrestling: A senior from Morehead City, N.C., is a double major in Botany and Biology with a minor in Genetics. He has a 4.0 GPA. He is also a three-time East Coast Men’s Surfing Champion and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Fraternity and the Golden Key International Honor Society. He is also a recipient of the Buddy Pelletier Surfing Scholarship and the Balanced Man Scholarship. After pursuing a professional surfing career, Roach plans to attend graduate school to work on both a PhD in Phytochemistry as well as a M.D.
Ashley Shepard, gymnastics: A senior from Rock Hill, S.C., Shepard majors in Microbiology with a minor in Health, Medicine and Human Values and will be attending the Medical University of South Carolina’s Physical Therapy Program after graduating in May. She has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA each semester and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. She is the 2008 recipient of the 2008 Kay Yow Award. She has recently been named the East Atlantic Gymnastics League’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year and awarded the Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship. She has been named to the EAL All-Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll each year and was a second team selection for the 2008 CoSIDA Academic All-District.
Todd Smalling, men’s cross country/track and field teams: A native of Johnson City, Tenn., Smalling is a Park Scholar majoring in Business Finance and minors in Economics. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and is ranked first in his class. He is the student president of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and spent a summer studying in Florence, Italy. He plans to join JP Morgan’s Equity Derivatives group in New York this fall after accepting a trading position with the firm.
Brittany Tinsley, women’s cross country/track and field: A native of Russell’s Point, Ohio, Tinsley majors in Education-General Studies with minors in Psychology and Social Work. She has been named to the ACC Honor Roll, ACC All-Academic Team and the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team. She has also made the dean’s list every semester while at NC State.
