Four Former Student-Athletes Earn National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship

PORTLAND, Ore. – In a recent announcement from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Julio de Paula, eight Lewis & Clark graduates have received the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships, four of whom are former Pioneer student-athletes.

The National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship is awarded by the NSF to graduate students who show promise as leaders in their field. The Pioneers had more former students named to the list than several of their local and national peers, such as Williams, Vassar, Oberlin, Reed, Puget Sound, Whitman, the University of Portland and Willamette.

The former student-athletes receiving the fellowships include:

Ben Ross, a two-year letter-winner in tennis, is currently studying evolutionary biology at the University of Washington. Ross competed with the men's tennis team during the 2001-02 season as well as the 2002-03 season. Ross, a McMinnville native, helped the Pioneers to a fifth place finish at the 2002 Northwest Conference Championships.

Charlie Morgan, a two-year letter-winner with the swim team, while also being a four-year varsity letter-winner with the rowing team. Morgan was a part of the Pioneer crew from 2004-08, while swimming from 2005-07. He is currently studying chemical biology from the University of California, San Francisco. While with the rowing team, Morgan helped the 2006-07 team win the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Championship. Morgan was a leader by example, always helping out his fellow rowers, while being a constant source of enthusiasm.

Claire Fassio, a dual sport athlete, competing as a member of the cross-country and track & field teams. Fassio ran for the cross-country team from 2006-09, while competing with the track & field team from 2005-08. She is now studying cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley. While with the Pioneers, Fassio earned Northwest Conference Scholar-Athlete honors, while helping the teams earn United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association team honors on multiple occasions.

Andrea Bailey, a one-year letter-winner (2001-02) with the rowing team, is currently studying animal behavior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.