Enterprise Gift Recognizes Academic Success
6/23/2016 11:18:00 AM | Athletics, Bearkat Champions Fund
Ginna Chudowsky and Jamie Barry from Enterprise Holdings presented the Sam Houston Athletic Department and the SHSU College of Business Administration with a $10,000 check to support academic achievement at the university this week.
The check represent a $5,000 gift to the College of Business Administration and $5,000 to the athletic department.
Chudowsky is a human resources specialist and Barry a talent acquisition specialist for Enterprise Holdings. The check was presented to College of Business Administration dean Mitchell Muehsam, associate athletic director for student services Chris Thompson and assistant athletic director for student services Dr. Jessica Payne.
The funds support COBA's Developing Business Professionals program and the Athletics Department academic program. Enterprise annually provides a special workshop to Bearkat senior student-athletes entitled “How To Brand Yourself for Professional Development.”
The workshop highlights interview skills, professional dress tips and other aspects of career development.
“Sam Houston State definitely appreciates the great support we receive from Enterprise,” Thompson said. “The Enterprise workshop has helped so many of our athletes as they prepare for life after graduation. Several of our student-athletes have ended up working for Enterprise as both interns and employees.”
During the 2015-16 sports season as Sam Houston earned the Southland Conference Commissioner's Cup Men's All-Sports trophy for a fifth time. The Bearkats won Southland Conference championships in both men's and women's indoor track and field, baseball and women's outdoor track and field.
The more than 415 student-athletes who play for the university's 17 sports teams compiled back-to-back semester grade point averages of 3.22 in the fall (a department record) and 3.11 in the spring. Those department GPAs rank as the highest and third highest marks in athletic academic history.
Three Sam Houston student-athletes were named as CoSIDA Academic All-Region selections with one (Janine Kuwahara from bowling) earning Academic All-America honors.
Two Bearkats received the league's highest academic honor as they were voted Southland Conference “Student-Athlete of the Year” for their respective sport with Danielle Demas receiving the award for women's indoor track and field and Tyler Adams being recognized for men's outdoor track and field.
Sam Houston athletics' success in the classroom is no flash in the pan. Since the 1994-95 school year, SHSU student-athletes have combined to produce semester GPAs of 2.4 or higher. The Bearkat athletic GPA has 2.89 or higher for 18 consecutive semesters and 3.0 or higher eight of the last nine semesters.
“Sam Houston definitely appreciates the great support we receive from Enterprise Holdings,” Thompson said. “The Enterprise workshop has helped so many of our athletes as they prepare for life after graduation. Several of our student-athletes have ended up working for Enterprise as both interns and employees.”
Sam Houston athletics' goal of “Building Champions” is a team effort. Academic services, strength & conditioning, and training/medical treatment are an important part of the team. Alumni, friends and fans join the team too by becoming a Bearkat Champion.
Building Champions results in more than winning games, it involves creating well-rounded student-athletes. To do this, academic resources such as the Enterprise Job Skill presentation are necessary to assist them accomplish their goals in the classroom and in life. Support the Bearkat Champions Academic Fund to directly impact the future of over 400 student-athletes at the Bearkat Champions Academic Fund link
