June 8, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - Twenty-four Big 12 student-athletes were selected to receive the 2004-05 Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarships, the conference office announced recently. Among the recipients of the prestigious award were two former Tigers. Jacob Thomas, who was a member of the men's swimming and diving team, and Karen Bauer, who was a member of the Tiger soccer squad, both were recognized for their outstanding efforts in the classroom and in competition during their careers at Mizzou.
Bauer graduated summa cum laude from Mizzou last December with a degree in biological science with a minor in Spanish and is beginning medical school at the University of Chicago this fall. The former midfielder from Geneva, Ill., was a two-time member of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-America Team ® and also earned Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. She also earned Big 12 All-Tournament Team honors in 2003. Besides her duties as team captain of the soccer squad from 2002-04, Bauer was a representative in the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC), was a student tutor for the Total Person Program and has worked as a teacher's assistant in the UMC Biological Sciences Department since her graduation last December.
Thomas, who is originally from Bloomingburg, N.Y., graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and will pursue a masters degree in the same area. He graduated magna cum laude and was on the University Dean's List in each of the last seven semesters. Thomas earned Academic All-Big 12 Honors in 2003 and 2004 and was a team captain on the Tiger swim team in 2004-05. The former backstroke specialist was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity and was active in the community with organizations such as the Mid-Missouri Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Club and the M.S. 150 Bike Race to fight multiple sclerosis.
The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services pioneer who passed away in March. The list of recipients has grown to 129 since the inception of the league in 1996-97. Each school nominated one student-athlete prior to 2002-03 when additional funding allowed each school to nominate two scholars.
To date the Big 12 has provided $658,200 for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-97, were raised to $5,000 in 1999 and climbed to $6,900 after the 2003-04 term.
Criteria for the awards include a cumulative grade point average of 3.500 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution and completion of athletics' eligibility.
The student-athletes also must graduate from their respective member institutions within 15 months of their selection for a postgraduate scholarship and are expected to enroll in graduate/professional schools within two years of graduation. Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection group for the awards.