Dillard and Howard Receive SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarships

This year's St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Post Graduate Scholarship award winners are Matt Dillard, from Eureka College, and Jenny Howard, from Webster University. The scholarships, selected by SLIAC Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR), are based on the graduating student-athletes accomplishments in and out of the classroom. The Post Graduate Scholarship awards the recipients a financial stipend towards their first year of graduate study. The presentation will take place at the annual SLIAC awards banquet on May 19, 2015 at Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.

Matt Dillard is a men's soccer player from Goodfield, Ill. and is pursuing an independent major in neuroscience from Eureka College. On the field Dillard started 12 games this season, tallying two goals. During his academic career Dillard has received the Durward M. Sandifer Fellowship, a stipend supporting intensive internship within field of study, as well as the Stephen S. Binkley Award, which recognizes achievement in Chemistry and Biology coursework, and the Memorial Scholarship from the Peoria Academy of Sciences, which recognizes outstanding achievement in pursuit of scientific knowledge.

Dillard has been a research assistant with the University of Illinois College of Medicine since 2012 and in the summer of 2014 Dillard served as a research assistant in the Harvard University Neuroscience Program. He has helped in the publication of research on brain damage, which appeared in Scientific Reports in 2015.

Dillard is a member of Alpha Chi, Sigma Zeta, and Pi Gamma Mu. He is also President of Tau Kappa Epsilon and Academic Chair of the Greek Council and Tau Kapp Epsilon Fraternity. In addition Dillard has volunteered at numerous organizations including the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Following graduation from Eureka he plans on continuing his education by pursuing his Ph.D. in Neuroscience and conducting research as a career.

Jenny Howard is a two sport athlete from Webster University. Howard, from Florissant, Mo., was a member of both the Gorloks volleyball and track and field teams and is majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Health and Medicine. On the court she is a four time All-Conference performer, helping her team to four straight SLIAC Tournament Championships. Howard is heavily involved in the Webster LEADS program and has been a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council for all four years. Howard is also a member of the Students for Biological Sciences group and has been doing independent research in chemistry for the last year.

Howard serves as a math and reading tutor for UrbanFUTURES and has volunteered at both the Mary Ryder home for retired women and Special Olympics. Following graduation Howard plans on attending the University of Missouri College of Veterinary School where she will pursue a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Masters in Public Health. She would like to one day practice veterinary medicine and own her own mixed animal practice.

Previous SLIAC Post Graduate Scholarship Award Winners