GREENVILLE, S.C. – Eight Furman student-athletes have been recognized for exemplary leadership by the Shucker Leadership Institute, the university has announced.

Julie Galie (women's soccer), Grace Gibson (women's lacrosse), Ellie Herrmann (women's soccer), Anna Hill (competitive cheerleading), Natondi Mokeba (men's soccer), Abby Shearer (women's lacrosse), Audrey Smith (women's lacrosse), and Ben Vander Wal (men's basketball) comprised the contingent of Paladin student-athletes honored for leadership.

Galie was accorded Furman's Hall of Leaders Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership. The award is given to a select group of seniors who have demonstrated outstanding involvement with campus life and extracurricular activities and who, through this service, have exemplified a four-year commitment to the positive enhancement of the Furman campus.

Gibson and Herrmann were both recognized with the Max & Trude Heller Commitment to Community Award, named in honor of a family whose legacy was to change lives and communities, one person at a time. The honor is presented annually to the individual or campus group who, through actions of service to the community, has reflected the ideals of good citizenship.

Hill received the Willard A. Metcalf Personal Character Award. Named in honor of the late Willard A. Metcalf, known for his contributions to the Sigma Chi fraternity and Greenville community, the award is given to the senior student who exemplifies personal character through high ambitions and a congenial disposition, as well as a selfless commitment to the betterment of others in the community.

Mokeba, a manager for the men's soccer program, and Shearer were both accorded the Unsung Hero Award. The award is presented annually to students who, through their behind-the-scenes involvement with student life, have exemplified a commitment to enhancing Furman campus life.

Smith and Vander Wal collected the C. Dan Joyner Outstanding Athletic Leader award. The award is named in honor of the late C. Dan Joyner, an exemplary Greenville community leader known affectionately to the Furman community as "Furman's Biggest Fan" because of his unwavering support for Furman Athletics. The honor is presented annually to a senior student-athlete on a men's or women's varsity athletic team. The recipients are individuals who are respected by teammates and have demonstrated effective leadership of the team, and who has positively impacted their sports team as a role model, resource, motivator, and encourager.

Vander Wal was also presented with The President's Award, given to two students who, by general conduct and relationships with others, have exhibited high aspirations and noble humanitarian qualities of character in one or more areas of campus life: academic, social, religious, or athletic.

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