FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Alaska volleyball senior
Jordyn Montgomery (Topeka, Kan./Rockhurst) was the 2012 recipient of the Marion Frances Boswell Memorial Award at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' annual student awards breakfast on Saturday morning at the Wood Center's Carol Brown Ballroom.
The Boswell Memorial Award is presented each year to the university's outstanding graduating senior woman. Montgomery will receive a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sports management this May after achieving an outstanding 4.0 grade point average.
“It really is quite an honor and it brings closure to my whole career here at UAF,” Montgomery said. “It's cool to see how much I obtained and that I finally got to put my mark here. It took a while at first with no one knowing me, but once I got out there, it's been a great journey.”
“In my 13 years here, there have been few people I've come across that have been deserving of this award any more so than Jordyn,” UAF faculty athletic representative
Dani Sheppard said. “She epitomizes this award in terms of her commitment to UAF as an institution, how well rounded she is and the leadership she provides in the classroom, out of the classroom, in student organizations and on the court.”
Montgomery, a defensive specialist for the past three seasons, wrapped up her career with 467 digs, 34 assists and 29 service aces in 61 matches. Aside from being a student-athlete, she was also a model student in the classroom and through extracurricular activities.
Along with five other students, she started the Students Offering Leadership Development (SOLD) organization. This club provides students the opportunity to gain leadership experience, networking and other personal development skills by working with the North Leadership Center. Montgomery also volunteered for the Festival of Native Arts as a peer advisor and has contributed countless hours to the youth of Fairbanks through additional endeavors.
“Jordyn epitomizes what we look for in student-athletes,” athletic director
Forrest Karr said. “She is dedicated, works hard and makes everyone around her better.”
Montgomery is the third female athlete to receive the award, as former women's basketball player
Tania Deisher (2006) and rifler
April Blajeski (1997) were both recipients. In addition, former hockey players
Greg Milles (1997),
Trevor Hyatt (2009) and
Dion Knelsen (2010) were winners of the Joel Wiegert Award, which is given to the university's outstanding graduating senior man.
“I am constantly amazed by her ability to provide influence.” Sheppard said. “There are so many people on this campus who are better because of her.”
“I'm not just a student and not just an athlete but a mixture of both,” Montgomery said. “By winning this award, it shows athletes can go out there and join extracurricular activities, be closer to other students, be more diverse and see the whole culture of Alaska and not just through the eyes of an athlete or of a student.”
