In an effort to honor the achievements of exceptional student-athletes, the Missouri Valley Conference, in partnership with State Farm, has created the MVC State Farm Good Neighbor Award. Ten student-athletes have been named by Commissioner Doug Elgin as the honorees for the 2010-2011 winter season.
Winter honorees include Dodie Dunson, Bradley, Men’s Basketball, SR.; Sam Schuett, Creighton, Women’s Basketball, GS.; Kristin Turk, Drake, Women’s Basketball, SR.; Briyana Blair, Evansville, Women’s Basketball, JR.; Molly Gomberg, Illinois State, Women’s Swimming/Diving, SR.; Aaron Carter, Indiana State, Men’s Basketball, SR.; Rene Smith, Missouri State, Women’s Swimming/ Diving, SR.; Jacqui Kalin, Northern Iowa, Women’s Basketball, GS.; Renee Reed, Southern Illinois, Women’s Basketball, SO.; Chris Ronen, Wichita State, Men’s Indoor Track & Field, JR.
In order to be eligible for the award, the student-athlete must be in good academic standing, must demonstrate good citizenship through good sportsmanship and significant community service, and must participate in a sport, during the season of recognition. The Valley will recognize 10 student-athletes three times annually (fall, winter, spring), for a total of 30 honorees. Institutions select their Good Neighbor Award honorees.
State Farm Insurance is a long-time sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference and sponsors all 18 MVC championship events. Also, State Farm is a prominent sponsor of the league's television network and a sponsor of the Missouri Valley Conference's community outreach program, "Just Read!"
Dodie Dunson, Bradley, Men’s Basketball, SR.
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· 3.69 cumulative GPA
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· Bradley Athetic Director Honor Roll (2008-10)
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· MVC Honor Roll (2008-10)
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· 2009-10 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Candidate
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· Western Avenue Community Center
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· Boys & Girls Club
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· Methodist Medical Center holiday visit to patients
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· Harrison School visit with elementary students
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· Currently interning at Methodist Hospice Care
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Sam Schuett, Creighton, Women’s Basketball, GS.
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· Dean's Honor Roll (7 semesters)
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· Graduated with honors and magna Cum Lada
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· MVC Scholar-Athlete (3x)
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· CoSIDA Academic All-District VII-First Team
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· Has completed over 50 hrs of community service
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· Amachi Mentor
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· Race for the Cure
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· Volunteers at Youth Basketball Clinics
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· Academic All-MVC Team-First Team
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· I-AAA Athletics Directors Association Scholar-Athlete Team
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· Academic All-MVC Honorable Mention
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· 2010-11 Lowe's Senior CLASS candidate
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· Speaking engagements about reading and education for youth
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· Siena Francis House (Homeless Shelter) volunteer
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· Friends of Jaclyn Events
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· Omaha Police and Firefighter Appreciation Event
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· Just Read
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· Habitat for Humanity
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Kristin Turk, Drake, Women’s Basketball, SR.
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· 3.51 cumulative GPA in history
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· Dean's List (5 semesters)
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· MVC Scholar-Athlete
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· MVC Conference Honor Roll (3 times)
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· Meals form the Heartland volunteer
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· Salvation Army Mobile Kitchen volunteer
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· The Great Marriage Experience-worked with families of military members
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· Worked in the phone bank of OneIowa-a civil rights advocacy organization
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· Speaker for many campus events
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Briyana Blair, Evansville, Women’s Basketball, JR.
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· 3.65 cumulative GPA
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· Dean's List & Athletics Honor Roll (2009-2010)
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· Has completed 24 hrs of community service this year
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· Visit to Riley Children's Hospital to deliver teddy bears
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· Adopt-a-Family
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· Volunteer with Easter Seals
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· Downtown Trick or Treat
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· Race for the Cure
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· Family Day in the Park
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· Just Read
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· Little Monster Mash
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· Ace of Hearts Kids Night Out
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Molly Gomberg, Illinois State, Women’s Swimming/Diving, SR.
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· AGNI Honor Roll every semester
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· MVC Honor Roll every semester
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· MVC Commissioner's Award
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· SAAC President
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· Liaison to Athletic Council
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· Just Read
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· Recess Buddies
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· Christmas for Kids
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· Relay for Life
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· American Red Cross Evening with the Stars
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· Reggie Fun Zones
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Aaron Carter, Indiana State, Men’s Basketball, SR.
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· Athletic Director Honor Roll (2007-Present)
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· MVC Honor Roll (2007-Present)
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· MVC Scholar-Athlete 2nd Team (2009-10)
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· Vice President of SAAC
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· St. Jude Research Hospital Up 'til Dawn Campaign
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· SAAC Canned Food Drive for Terre Haute Catholic Charities
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· Special Olympics volunteer
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· Youth Basketball Clinics
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· Race for the Cure
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· Chaperoned kids at University functions
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Rene Smith, Missouri State, Women’s Swimming/ Diving, SR.
· 3.57 cumulative GPA in Psychology and a minor in Human Resources Management/Industrial Relations
Jacqui Kalin, Northern Iowa, Women’s Basketball, GS
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· Graduated "Summa Cum Laude" with a BA degree in Exercise Science: Sport Psychology
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· 4.0 cumulative GPA
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· Dean's List (7 semesters)
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· MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week
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· National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) member
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· SAAC Co-President (2010-11)
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· SAAC Co-Vice President (2009-10)
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· Big Sister for Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
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· NCAA Steering Committee member
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· Camp Embracing Memories volunteer
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· Global Forum for Physical Education Pedagogy
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· Jr. Panther Day Coordinator
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· Relay for Life
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· Just Read
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· Point Guard College volunteer coach
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· 2009 Eastern Iowa Variety (The Children's Charity) telethon volunteer
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· Habitat for Humanity volunteer
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· Habitat for Hope volunteer
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· Summer Flood Relief volunteer
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· "Character Counts" Panel Speaker
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· Special Olympics volunteer
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· Safe Date Tailgate volunteer
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Renee Reed, Southern Illinois, Women’s Basketball, SO.
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· 3.61 cumulative GPA
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· Recipient of Dr. Boydston Fellow Endowed Scholarship
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· Dean's List (2 semesters)
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· Boys & Girls Club volunteer
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· Coach Kill Poker Run
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· Dine with the Dawgs
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· SIU Athletics Thank-A-Thon
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· SIU Athletics Halloween Bash
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· Just Read
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· SIU Athletics Santa's Shoebox
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· "On the Court" with girl scouts
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Chris Ronen, Wichita State, Men’s Indoor Track & Field, JR.
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· 3.825 cumulative GPA in Criminal Justice
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· Dean's List (5 semesters)
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· Athletic Director's Honor Roll (5 semesters)
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· Shocks, Cops & Kids
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· Woofstock
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· Salvation Army Angel Tree
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· Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes
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· Prairie Fire Wichita Marathon
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· SAAC
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· Extreme Makeover: Home Edition volunteer
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· Salvation Army Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program
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· Track & Field Camp volunteer
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