Blackburn's Watt, Westminster's Crafts Receive SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarship

ST. LOUIS – 2010 Graduates Laura Watt (Jerseyville, Ill./Jersey Community) of Blackburn College and Shanna Crafts (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell Central) of Westminster College have been awarded the 2009-10 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Post Graduate Scholarships.

The scholarships, selected by the Conference’s Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) based on the graduating student-athletes accomplishments in and out of the classroom, awards the recipients a financial stipend towards their first two years of graduate study.

Watt graduated from Blackburn with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine and a 3.955 cumulative grade point average.  She plans to be trained in the basic sciences and then in clinical concepts to prepare for a career as a physician. Watt played three years at defender for the Blackburn women's soccer team. In addition, she has been involved in several community service projects including helping to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and the Macoupin County Animal Shelter, serving as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and assisting with the Anti-Meth Coalition 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.

Crafts graduated from Westminster in May with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History and with a 3.62 cumulative grade point average.  Her graduate plans include attending law school.  A four-year member of the Blue Jays volleyball team, Crafts was a Honorable Mention All-SLIAC selection as a sophomore. She also served as a team captain and was the Grand Marshall of the Skulls of Seven, a society founded to uphold the traditions and ideals of Westminster College. In addition, she was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and volunteered with Special Olympics, Headstart and the local soup kitchen.

Previous SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarship Award Winners

2002-03      Joni Dorf, Greenville; Kevin Bartow, Maryville
2003-04     Maureen Walterbach, Maryville; Brady Barke, Webster
2004-05     Christine Basden, Maryville; Stephen Hoell, Westminster
2005-06     Maria Eftink, Fontbonne; Greg Murphy, Webster
2006-07     Vanda Wilder, Maryville; Ryan Duncan, Maryville
2007-08     Michelle Reale, Fontbonne; Tyler Tate, Maryville
2008-09     Rachael Richards, Principia; Jason Warncke, Westminster