Miami University

Twelve extremely accomplished first-year students from across the country and around the world comprise Miami University's inaugural class of the Presidential Fellows Program. Miami University's premier scholarship, the Presidential Fellows Program offers recipients a merit award to cover tuition, fees, room and board. Students also will receive a one-time academic enhancement fund of $5,000 for activities such as study abroad or professional conferences.

The Mid-American Conference announced its first weekly volleyball awards of the season on Tuesday. For Miami, senior middle hitter Margaret Payne was named MAC East Division Offensive Player of the Week. Payne, from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan earned All-Tournament honors at the Miami Best Western Sycamore Inn Invitational as she led the RedHawk volleyball team to a 2-1 record at its season-opening tournament. Payne totaled 31 kills in three matches, an average of 2.82 kills per set. She made only nine attack errors in 62 attempts for a .355 hitting percentage. Payne also recorded 12 blocks (four solo and eight assisted), scoring a total of 39.0 points for Miami over the weekend.

Miami University awarded more than 590 degrees to students during summer term. The public university's Oxford campus, located in southwestern Ohio, offers bachelor's degrees in 122 areas of study. Graduate students choose from more than 60 master's degree and 13 doctoral degree programs. Eighteen bachelor's degrees and 19 associate degrees are offered at Miami's regional locations.

Ten seniors received the 2019 Provost's Student Academic Achievement Award (PSAAA). The award is given annually to students who have achieved an outstanding record of academic excellence and have made sustained and significant contributions to the intellectual climate of a department, an academic division or the campus.

Miami University Athletes Allie Grace Joyner and Lexie Nugent have been selected for the USAFH Young Women's National Championship. They are the first in Miami field hockey history to be selected for this competition.

Miami University student Yue Peng spent the summer 2019 semester in London as part of a study abroad program. Peng, from Oxford (45056) is majoring in Mathematics.

Miami University student Yue Peng spent the summer 2018 semester in Barcelona as part of a study abroad program. Peng, from Oxford (45056) is majoring in Mathematics.

Several Miami University students have received national scholarships to support their study abroad programs this summer and fall.

Forbes has selected Miami University Student, Sydnie Singleton, a 2nd year Early Childhood Education major, out of thousands around the world to participate in the Forbes Under 30 Scholar Summit this fall. The scholarship program provides free access to the summit and grants students the chance to participate in networking opportunities.

Megan Zahneis received the 2019 AHEAD Student Recognition Award on July 13 at the organization's annual conference in Boston. AHEAD, The Association for Higher Education and Disability, is the leading voice for higher education professionals invested in creating welcoming higher education experiences for disabled individuals. Zahneis helped establish the Students with Disabilities Advisory Council (SDAC), a campus voice for students with disabilities, by students with disabilities. Under Zahneis' leadership, SDAC has become a force of nature on campus. They've held large-scale campus-wide events drawing large crowds. They've developed a one-on-one mentoring program that pairs new students with another member of the disability community on campus. They've developed resources and presentations that have been highlighted on a national scale. Their signature program, Coffee & Conversations, is designed for students with disabilities to share their experiences and engage in conversation with Miami faculty members. The series is just one example of SDAC's dedication to fulfilling the promise in their slogan "Changing Perceptions, One Conversation at a Time."

Having applied the tools of science, education and conservation to become leaders in conversation communities, graduate students in the Global Field Program (GFP) and Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) from Miami Unviersity's Project Dragonfly finish their master's studies.

A Farmer School finance and accountancy major has received a prestigious scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Senior Adrian Awuah was named a PCAOB Scholar, the only one at Miami University and one of only 332 across the nation.

Miami University Seniors Awarded Prestigious Astronaut Scholarship

Miami University awarded degrees to students during spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Millett Hall.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top twenty percent of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2018-19 have been named to the dean's list recognizing academic excellence.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2018-19 have been named to the president's list recognizing academic excellence.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on that 392 student-athletes from 163 programs have received 2019 NFCA Division I All-Region accolades. Miami sophomore infielder Ashton Slone was named All-Region Second Team. Slone was named All-MAC Second Team following the completion of the regular season. Slone led the Miami offense this season in batting average (.372), doubles (16), RBI (38), total bases (92), slugging percentage (.622), walks (28) and on-base percentage (.475). In conference play, she batted .359 and led the team in doubles (9), walks (12) and on-base percentage (.461) and was second in hits (23), RBI (14) and total bases (38). Slone's 16 doubles ties for the fourth-most doubles in a single season in program history while her 38 RBI tied for the sixth-most RBI in a single-season and her 28 walks ties for eighth in a single season in program history. She finished the season in the top-10 in the MAC in six offensive categories.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on Thursday that 392 student-athletes from 163 programs have received 2019 NFCA Division I All-Region accolades. Sophomore pitcher Courtney Vierstra was named All-Region Third Team. Vierstra was named All-MAC First Team following the completion of the regular season. She led the Miami pitching staff in conference play in ERA (1.42), wins (8), appearances (17), complete games (8), shutouts (3), saves (2), innings pitched (78.2), strikeouts (111) and opponents' average (.211). When Miami's season ended, Vierstra was fifth in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (10.5) and is ninth in the nation in strikeouts, her 265 also leading the MAC. She ranks third in program history in strikeouts in a single season (265), fourth in winning percentage (.704) and is also tied for eighth in single-season shutouts (6). Vierstra's 19 wins this year ties for the eighth-most in a single season in program history. As a sophomore, she is seventh in Miami softball history with 426 career strikeouts, eighth with 35 wins and is fifth in career win percentage (.593).

The Mid-American Conference announced its softball All-Conference Teams on Tuesday. Bri Pratt was named MAC All-Freshman Team. Pratt ended the regular season with a 2.98 ERA in 115.0 innings of work. She struck out 95 batters during 28 appearances and earned a 14-6 record. Pratt's win percentage this season ranks fifth in program history. In conference play, Pratt had an ERA of just 1.88 as she went 7-0 in 10 appearances. She struck out 38 batters in 52.0 innings of work in MAC games. Pratt ranks in the top 10 in the MAC in 11 categories for overall play and nine categories in conference play, including ERA both overall and in conference play.

The Mid-American Conference announced its softball All-Conference Teams. Kara Leckinger, Johniann Wahl, Lily Wilmot and Ashton Slone were named All-MAC Second Team. Leckinger hit .383 in conference games this season, the second-highest on the Miami roster. She was also second on the team in hits (23), RBI (14) and on-base percentage (.441) in MAC play. Leckinger hit .308 overall this season, setting career-highs in games played (40), games started (35), at-bats (104), hits (32), doubles (5), RBI (19), walks (3) and hit-by-pitches (10). She has nine multi-hit games this season, two of which she had three hits, and three multi-RBI games this season. Wahl became the program leader in three more career categories this season, climbing to the top of the ranks in RBI (132), doubles (42) and walks (104) after setting the record for home runs last season as a junior. Wahl is also in Miami's career top-10 in hits (176) and at-bats (607) as she's started 206 of 207 games during her Miami career. In conference play this season, she is batting .324, has 22 hits, five doubles, 12 RBI and a slugging percentage of .441. Wahl has 11 multi-hit games this season including two three-hit games. Wilmot leads the Miami offense in conference play in home runs (6) and RBI (21) and is second on the team in total bases (38), slugging percentage (.623). She is second in the MAC in RBI and home runs (6) in conference games. Wilmot is also 10th in the conference in slugging percentage in MAC games. Overall this season, Wilmot is second in home runs (8), second in RBI (31), tied for second on the team in doubles (9) and third in slugging percentage (.562). Her eight home runs this season is tied for the ninth-most in a single season in program history. Slone leads the Miami offense this season in batting average (.382), doubles (16), RBI (36), total bases (86), slugging percentage (.632), walks (26) and on-base percentage (.485). In conference play, she batted .359 and led the team in doubles (9), walks (12) and on-base percentage (.461) and was second in hits (23), RBI (14) and total bases (38). Slone's 16 doubles ties for the fourth-most doubles in a single season in program history while her 36 RBI is 10th in single-season RBI and her 26 walks ties for ninth in a single season in program history. She's in the top-10 in the MAC in six offensive categories.

The Mid-American Conference announced its softball All-Conference Teams. Morgan Lott and Courtney Vierstra were named All-MAC First Team. Lott led the Miami offense in conference play in batting average (.394), at-bats (71), runs (17), hits (28), total bases (45), slugging percentage (.634) and stolen bases (5). She was also second in doubles (6) and home runs (3). Lott's six triples on the season leads the league and is tied for the most in a single season in program history. She is tied for 10th in the nation in triples and is 13thin triples per game. Overall, Lott is batting .331 on the year and leads the team in at-bats (160), runs (30), hits (53), triples (6), total bases (86) and stolen bases (8). Vierstra led the Miami pitching staff in conference play in ERA (1.42), wins (8), appearances (17), complete games (8), shutouts (3), saves (2), innings pitched (78.2), strikeouts (111) and opponents' average (.211). Vierstra is fifth in the nation in strikeouts per seven innings (10.5) and is 11th in the nation in strikeouts, her 233 also leading the MAC. She ranks third in program history both in strikeouts in a single season (233) and winning percentage (.708). Vierstra's 17 wins this year ties for the ninth-most in a single season in program history. As a sophomore, she is eighth in Miami softball history with 394 career strikeouts, eighth with 33 wins and is fifth in career win percentage (.589).

Graduate students from Miami University's Project Dragonfly will travel to Australia, Thailand, Baja, Belize, Borneo, India, Kenya, Hawai'i, Paraguay and Namibia, where they will engage in action projects on vital human and ecological issues.

Five members of Miami University's softball team have earned the MAC Commissioner's Award. MAC Commissioner's Award is awarded to those student-athletes who have achieved a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the end of two semesters or three quarters. First year and graduating seniors are not eligible for this award. Transfer student-athletes may complete one full academic year prior to be eligible.

Miami University Student-Athletes Jenny Vasquez and Johniann Wahl earn MAC Presidential Award MAC Presidential Award is awarded to those graduating senior student-athletes who have achieved a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility are also eligible for this award. This award can only be awarded once in the career of a student-athlete. Transfer student-athletes must complete one full academic year prior to be eligible.

Miami University graduate students are the recipients of scholarships through Audubon Miami Valley and Project Dragonfly, a global conservation and education initiative at the university.

The Mid-American Conference announced its 2019 postseason baseball awards on Tuesday. For Miami, senior pitcher Jack Corbell and junior catcher Cal Elvers were named to the All-MAC Second Team. Corbell has been the RedHawks regular Sunday starter, having made 14 appearances on the season. He is 5-3 with a 3.30 ERA in 71.0 innings pitched. He has been a part of two shutouts in 2019 and has shown excellent control, giving up only 29 walks. Elvers has had a breakout year behind the plate. He has appeared in 45 games, making 43 starts. He ranks second on Miami with a .325 batting average, third with 13 doubles and also has five home runs and 31 RBIs. Elvers is third on the 'Hawks with a .516 slugging percentage. Defensively, he has a .988 fielding percentage and has thrown out seven base runners attempting to steal. Miami returns to action Wednesday as it begins play in the MAC Tournament. The RedHawks are the fourth seed and open play against fifth seed Northern Illinois at 6 p.m. All MAC Tournament games take place at Sprenger Stadium in Avon, Ohio and will all air live on ESPN+.

The dynamic junior tandem of twins Christopher Torpy and Sean Torpy battled in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Torpy brothers were part of the first day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Chris, running in the 1500m at the meet for the second-straight year, clocked a time of 3:45.77. His time was the ninth fastest on the day, but his heat posted the top seven times to keep him from advancing to Friday's final. Still, the ninth-place finish represents a 14-spot improvement from his finish at this meet a year ago. Later in the evening, Sean ran a spirited second heat of the 800m in his nationals debut. He made a big push early on the second and final lap, momentarily moving into second place at the final turn, but a collision on that turn caused some chaos and he eventually fifth in the heat (17th overall) with a time of 1:50.48. The Mid-American Conference's Most Valuable Performer sees his junior campaign come to a close. "Both Chris and Sean put themselves in positions they needed to be to advance," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Tom Chornysaid. "Chris got boxed into a spot that was tough to get out of and he was a little behind when it freed up. It takes experience to get out of that to make a spot open up. It played out well and if he had been able to make a move a little sooner, he would've moved on. For Sean, he needed the race of his life. They made it far and did really well. "We've taken three years to get to know them as runners and the next step is getting more intentional with how we train and specialize a little more so when we hit the big stage, we know they are not only ready to get to the NCAA Championship, but also grab some points for the team as well."

Miami track and field redshirt junior, Danielle Collier of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, (16148), posted a tenth-place finish while competing in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Collier earns Second-Team All-American honors for her performance. After having the event delayed from its original Thursday start, Collier came out Friday afternoon and improved her distance with each successive throw. After posting marks of 49.57m (162-7) and 50.07m (164-3), she launched her third attempt a distance of 51.21m (168-0). This marked her fifth-best throw of her 2019 campaign and placed the Hermitage, Penn. native in tenth. Unfortunately, this was not enough to advance Collier to the second flight of throws as the top nine athletes advanced for a second round of throws. Her tenth-place finish and Second-Team All-American showing is good for a 12-place improvement over her last nationals appearance; Collier competed in the national meet in 2017 and finished in 22nd. "Danielle has been consistent all year and while we were all hoping for the big throw, she walks out of here with her hightest place finish at NCAAs and we still get her back for another year," Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Tom Chorny said regarding Collier. "She'll come back better and more ready to dominate this competition next year." "She competed really well and just missed the big one," said assistant coach for throws Steve Manz. "I'm very proud of her for being top ten in the nation." For offseason updates, be sure to follow @MiamiOH_XCTF on Twitter.

The Mid-American Conference announced its 2019 postseason baseball awards on Tuesday. For Miami, freshman pitcher Sam Bachman, junior second baseman Landon Stephens and freshman designated hitter Cole Andrews all earned a spot on the All-MAC First-Team. Bachman has had a tremendous rookie campaign, making 14 appearances (13 starts) for the RedHawks. He has a 7-1 record with a 3.80 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 71.0 innings pitched. Opponents hit only .226 against him. In MAC games, Bachman was 4-1 with a 2.96 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 51.2 innings pitched. Stephens has started all 53 games this season for Miami. He is batting .319 and leads the 'Hawks with 20 doubles (which ranks second in MAC), seven home runs and 42 RBIs. He has a team-best .549 slugging percentage, which ranks seventh in the MAC. Andrews has appeared in 43 games and made 37 starts at designated hitter. He ranks third on Miami with a .324 batting average and also has five home runs and 31 RBIs. He has a .496 slugging percentage on the season.

The 2019 Major League Baseball draft concluded on Wednesday. For Miami, junior pitcher Spencer Mraz was drafted in the 33rd round (985th overall) by the Texas Rangers. Mraz was Miami's regular Saturday starter in 2019. In 15 appearances (13 starts) He was 5-6 with a 4.03 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 76.0 innings pitched. The highlight of his season was a 7.1 inning performance against Bowling Green when he allowed only one hit and struck out a career-high 13 batters. Mraz has a 3.92 ERA in 48 appearances during his three-year RedHawk career.