INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, February 28. INDIANA University women's swimmer Margaux Farrell and Penn State men's gymnast Miguel Pineda have been named the recipients of the 2012 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award. The award is an annual scholarship recognizing one male and one female Big Ten senior student-athlete pursuing a postgraduate degree for achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and leadership. It is given out in conjunction with the Big Ten Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments.
In recognition of the Big Ten's leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. Each Big Ten institution was asked to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for 2012, with a $5,000 scholarship awarded to each winner. Farrell and Pineda will be honored during a presentation at halftime of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament quarterfinal game on Friday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the former Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971-89. While leading the Big Ten, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for student-athletes. The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals supporting collegiate student-athletes. The Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corporation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association.
'We congratulate Margaux Farrell and Miguel Pineda for earning the 2011 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award,' said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. 'This award recognizes a Big Ten student-athlete for success in academics, athletics, civic service and leadership ' principles championed by former Commissioner Duke throughout his tenure. Margaux and Miguel are fitting honorees and outstanding examples of the leaders produced on our campuses every year. We would also like to thank the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership for continuing to recognize the efforts of Big Ten student-athletes.'
'Margaux and Miguel personify what it takes to succeed as a Big Ten student-athlete,' said Jerry Semler of the Indianapolis Big Ten Local Organizing Committee. 'The Wayne Duke Award highlights their achievements in the classroom and points them toward their future endeavors, and we are excited to continue recognizing this caliber of student-athlete for years to come. It is not without outstanding community support that we are able to grant these awards and we thank everyone who made contributions.'
Farrell is completing her journalism degree with a psychology minor at Indiana University and expects to graduate in May. With a 3.8 GPA, she has plans to continue her education in journalism in graduate school. A dual citizen of France and the United States, she has led Indiana's swimming and diving team to three Big Ten titles. She has also competed individually in many of the top international events.
Farrell has been recognized with All-America honors every year at Indiana and has captained the Indiana women's swim team since her junior season. She has twice been named Academic All-Big Ten, and was named second team Capital One Academic All-District her junior season. She holds multiple Big Ten and Indiana swimming records. Farrell represented France at two Olympic Trials and is in position to swim for France at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. In the summer of 2011, Margaux represented Indiana University at the World University Games in China, where she set a school record of 55.69 in the 100-meter freestyle.
In addition to a world-class swimming regimen, Farrell dedicates time to various organizations. She reads to children, advocates for breast cancer awareness and involves herself in many student organizations. She was chosen by Indiana faculty to serve on the the Board of Aeons, a 12-member student research and advisory organization that works closely with the president of Indiana University. As a journalism major, she participated in an advanced advertising practicum that provided her with a real world experience to create campaigns and interact with clients on product launches.
Pineda is completing his biology degree through the Eberly College of Science at Penn State. He is among the top one-half percent of his class with a 3.98 GPA and plans to attend medical school next year with the goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. He has competed in gymnastics since the age of five and, along the way, has captained USA Junior National teams as well as Penn State.
As a junior, Pineda earned All-America honors for his NCAA second-place finish on the still rings. He has also received Academic All-America honors every year since enrolling at Penn State in 2008. In the summer of 2011, Pineda competed for a spot on the United States National Team at the Visa U.S. Championships and has represented the United States as a Junior National Team member from 2004 to 2008.
Pineda served for three summers as gymnastics coach to students ages 6-17 at Hocking Valley Gymnastics Center in Lancaster, Ohio. As a team captain for Penn State, he has represented his school at numerous NCAA, Penn State and community functions. The native of Galloway, Ohio, also contributes his time in community outreach activities such as volunteering for the Special Olympics.
Indianapolis and Bankers Life Fieldhouse will host the Big Ten Women's and Men's Basketball Tournaments March 1-4 and March 8-11, respectively.
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