JACKSON, Miss. - On Tuesday, April 11th a group of Belhaven Student-Athletes were recognized for their achievements outside of athletic competition as they received honors and awards in the University's Honors Convocation program.

Ten current Belhaven student-athletes earned recognition for academic, service and leadership achievement within their area of study or the university at large. A number of other student-athletes earned honors list recognition as well. 

Anna Crane of the Women's Soccer team earned the Outstanding Senior Nursing Student Award presented by Dr. Amy Rex Smith. The award is presented to the student who has attained scholastic achievement as evidenced by a GPA of 3.0 or higher, outstanding performance as a nursing student, has been active in service to the community and has shown dedication to the school and to the nursing profession.

Jeremiah Buenrostro of the Belhaven Football team was also recognized by the School of Nursing earning the Nursing Clinical Excellence Award. Also presented by Dr. Amy Rex Smith, the award is presented to a student who best exemplifies excellence in clinical practice. Clinical excellence is demonstrated through nursing practice grounded in Christian caring, competence, and compassion. 

Dakota McCraney, teammate of Buenrostro on the Blazers' Football team, earned a pair of awards. McCraney earned the Achievement in Business award from the School of Business presented by Dr. Antwon Woods which is presented to the graduating senior on the basis of character, potential growth and development, and academic accomplishments in the department.

He also earned the Matthew 20:28 Award from the University which was presented by Scott Little, Belhaven Director of Athletics. The Matthew 20:28 Award is presented on an annual basis to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the faculty, approximates most nearly the ideals of the University.

Gracey Baucom of the Belhaven Softball team was recognized for Academic Excellence in Sports Management by Dr. Antwon Woods. Baucom earned this recognition which is presented to a student majoring in sports management who has excelled academically and has taken an active role in service or exemplifies the college vision as it relates to their area of study. 

May Hebert, also of the Belhaven Softball team, received a pair of awards from the School of Arts and Sciences. Hebert was awarded the Psychology Academic Excellence Award by Dr. Justin Kelly for showing great academic excellence and success within the area of study. Hebert also received the History Award presented by Dr. Seth Parry. The award is presented to an outstanding senior history major who excels in scholarship, character and leadership. 

Maurissa Winford of the Belhaven Track & Field program was awarded the Elizabeth Spencer Writing Award in Poetry presented by Dr. Randall Smith. The Spencer Awards commemorate the achievement of Belhaven alumna Elizabeth Spencer, who was acclaimed for the incisive elegance of her literary work. Student winners of the award display aesthetic excellence and astute cultural observation. 

Chantz Taylor of the Belhaven Football team was awarded the Mississippi Chapter 2023 Claire Nowlin Undergraduate Student of the Year Award presented by Dr. Patricia Cruz. The award is presented to the Senior Social Work student selected to represent Belhaven University during the annual conference. The student who is awarded is selected based on academics, community service and social work involvement throughout their time at the university.

Laela Evans of the Belhaven Women's Soccer team was awarded the Biology Service Award presented by Dr. Robert Waltzer. The award is given to the graduating senior who has shown the greatest degree of selfless service to the needs of the department through work-study, biology club, and positive interactions with faculty and students. 

Collin Cartwright of the Men's Soccer team was recognized for his achievements in Mathematics by receiving the Outstanding Mathematics Senior Award. The award is presented to an outsanding senior mathematics student who excels in scholarship and leadership in STEM studies.  

Neely Brunt of the Women's Soccer team was awarded the Psychology Award present by Dr. Justin Kelly. The Mississippi native was honored with the award which is presented to the graduating psychology major who has indicated the greatest potential for personal and professional growth. 

Asia Robinson of the Belhaven Women's Tennis team was also recognized as a part of the Belhaven Leadership Council where she serves as Service Coordinator. 

Joining the current student-athletes honored was former Men's Basketball player Charles Parker who also has spent this academic year interning with the Athletics Communications office. Parker was presented with the Communication Achievement Award by Mr. William Moak. This award is presented to the student with the highest overall grade point average in the department and who demonstrates great enthusiasm and promise for the field of communication. 

Along with those individuals recognized with awards, a plethora of Belhaven student-athletes were named to academic honors lists including Madeline Bullock, Ellie Jones, Jordan Kanipe and Reagan Nichols who were named as Honors Fellows. 

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