The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Athletics Wins Third Straight Halbrook Award
10/21/2011 | Academic Support
Oct. 21, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss captured its third consecutive Halbrook Award for having the highest graduation rate among Mississippi's women's college athletics programs during the past academic year.
The award was one of several presented at the recent Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities Annual Conference hosted by Mississippi Valley State earlier this month in Itta Bena. Provost Morris Stocks accepted the award on behalf of the University of Mississippi.
Ole Miss' women's sports teams produced an 86 percent graduation rate in 2010-11 that was tops among the state's eight four-year public schools, which include Alcorn State, Delta State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss. Highlighting the Rebel squads, women's golf turned in a perfect 100 percent graduation rate.
"This continues to show the student-athletes' commitment to excellence in the classroom and goal to graduate," said Lynnette Johnson, Executive Associate Athletics Director.
"We are once again proud that our women's teams have received the Halbrook Award for the best graduation rate among all universities in Mississippi," said Karen Schiferl, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academic Support. "Our student-athletes come to Ole Miss because they love their sport and know they will receive a quality education. Our goal is graduation and this demonstrates the quality of our student-athletes as they continue to excel in their sports and in academics."
The award was one of several presented at the luncheon ceremony during the 78th annual MAC Conference.
In addition to the women's sports receiving the Halbrook Award, recent Ole Miss graduates Emily Kvitle (volleyball) and Lee Ellis Moore (track and field) were recognized for their academic achievements.
The Halbrook Awards recognize colleges and universities that maintain and achieve high academic standards for student-athletes, thus encouraging high graduation rates.
The awards were established by the State Legislature and named for former State legislator David Halbrook, whose family also endows the award program.
