Miguel David’s efforts to compile a speech might have best exemplified the group of Purdue University Calumet student-athletes being honored for their academic successes at Friday’s first annual Dean’s List Recognition Breakfast.
The sophomore goalkeeper completed it during the Peregrines men’s soccer team bus trip (five-hour round trip) to Milwaukee, Wis., for the team’s road game at Cardinal Stritch (which, by the way, they went on to win, 2-1).
“I didn’t know much about Purdue Calumet when I decided to come here,” David, a Mechatronics Engineering Technology major, admitted as he spoke to the group of about 25 students and Purdue Calumet deans and administrators in Purdue Calumet’s Paul K. and Barbara Graegin Academic Center.
“But what I found out was that classes had a unique blend of interesting and challenging (parts)… And I was pushed to have a passion for both soccer and dedication to get good grades.”
Friday’s program honored 30 Purdue Calumet student-athletes who were named to the Dean’s List during the 2014-15 academic year, representing the universities’ Colleges of Technology, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Business, and Engineering, Mathematics and Science.
All five of those deans were also in attendance — Niaz Latif (Technology), Bill Law (EMS), Lisa Hopp (Nursing), Jane Mutchler (Business) and Ron Corthell (LASS) — along with special guests Regina Biddings-Muro, Purdue Calumet’s Vice Chancellor for Advancement, and the namesake of the room where the event was held — Barbara Graegin.
“Three years ago when I came to Purdue Calumet, we started talking about “Students First, Athletes Second,” said Director of Athletics Rick Costello, who opened the event’s remarks. “The Coaching Staff and I developed a mission based on academic, athletic and social excellence and we’ve made so much progress.
“I want to congratulate all of our student-athletes for obtaining the Dean’s List and and for achieving that perfect balance of student and athlete.”
Jen Madgiak, Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Services, recognized the student-athletes in attendance and women’s tennis player Lori Haas, enters her senior season in 2015-16, spoke in addition to David on what academics and athletics have meant to her during her career at Purdue Calumet.
“I’m very happy with my choice to attend Purdue Calumet,” Haas, the school’s second-ever CoSIDA Academic All-American, said. “As much as I love tennis and the thrill of winning, the major goal of my years here has been by education.”
Haas, who currently carries a 4.0 in History, plans to enter law school next fall after graduating in Spring 2016.
Barbara Graegin addressed the group last, pointing out that her late husband Paul would have wanted to spread his generosity to Purdue Calumet student-athletes.
“I knew that Paul would have wanted to do that, he was so generous,” she said of creating the Academic Excellence Center that serves all 200-plus of Purdue Calumet’s student-athlete population.
“I wish you all could have known him.”