Cairn University awarded CSAC Institutional Academic Excellence Award
For the first time since the 2010-11 academic year, Cairn University is the recipient of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Institutional Academic Excellence Award. Cairn earned the honor for the 2016-17 academic year with a grade point average of 3.374. The award is given annually to the institution whose student-athletes, while competing in CSAC-sponsored sports, achieve the highest combined grade-point average for that academic year.
Nine of the 12 CSAC schools had a GPA of 3.00 or higher during the 2016-17 academic year.
“Cairn University is pleased to accept the Academic Excellence Award from CSAC,” said Cairn University President
Dr. Todd Williams. “We are proud of our student athletes. But we are also humbled by this award, knowing that the conference is a strong one academically, and that the student-athletes of our CSAC schools embody the spirit of Division III athletics, which places a high value on the students’ academic success.
“Cairn is a place where students are challenged to do all things well, to study, participate, and serve—to make their efforts count for high purposes,” Williams added.
For the 2016-17 year, 101 Cairn student-athletes were named CSAC All-Academic, achieved by earning a grade point average of 3.20 or higher during their season of varsity competition. In addition, four Cairn athletic programs (volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball) were the recipients of the 2016-17 Team Academic Awards, which are given annually to each sports team whose student-athletes, while competing in conference-sponsored sports, achieve the highest combined grade point average.
“First and foremost, I am incredibly proud of our student-athletes,” said Cairn University Interim Director of Athletics
Matt Milich. “I'm grateful to be a part of an athletic program with high standards in the classroom, and I would like to thank the CSAC for recognizing our student-athletes for their achievements.”
“We consider it a privilege to teach, coach and mentor student-athletes every day,” said Cairn Senior Vice President of Student Affairs and Administration
Scott Cawood. “The joy we experience is even that much greater as we acknowledge the diligent work our student-athletes are doing daily in their professional studies. Our congratulations go out to each ‘Highlander’ in recognition of their accomplishment in academic rigor during the 2016-17 academic year.”
For the CSAC Institutional Academic Excellence Award, all students who use a season of eligibility, as defined by the NCAA, are included in the institution’s grade point average calculation. Institutional grade point averages are calculated by using the total quality points of all credits attempted by student-athletes during the academic year. The grade point average of student-athletes who do a study-abroad semester during the academic year are calculated in the same manner in which the institution calculates all grade point averages for students studying abroad. Institutional grade point averages are calculated and certified by the registrar of each institution.
Previous winners include Marywood University (2014-15, 2015-16), Clarks Summit University (formerly Baptist Bible College) (2012-13), Immaculata University (2011-12, 2013-14), and Cedar Crest College (2008-09, 2009-10).