Greenville, S.C. – The Furman athletics department recognized eight award winners during its Senior Student-Athlete Ceremony on Thursday evening at Furman University's Younts Conference Center.
The list of honorees included Grace Gibson (women's lacrosse), Jayquan Smith (football), Alex Han (men's tennis), Liz Moody (volleyball), Ansley Chiang (softball), Jenna Mulhern (women's cross country/track), Tanner Schuck (football), and Ben Vander Wal (men's basketball).
Gibson and Smith both were recognized with the Bryce Stanfield Iron Paladin, which is named in honor of the former Paladin who passed away suddenly on Feb. 9, 2024. It is "presented to high achievers in the weight room who exemplify an elite standard in work ethic, attitude, and accountability."
A four-year starter on the women's lacrosse team, Gibson concluded her career third all-time in games started and tied for fourth in games played. The Orlando, Fla., native's 54 caused turnovers and 86 ground balls are fifth and tied for sixth in program history, respectfully. She was part of the Big South Co-Regular Season Championship squad in 2025. An accounting major, she has been named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll, SoCon Academic Honor Roll, and IWLCA Academic Honor Roll.
Smith completed a successful return following a serious knee injury that sidelined him for the 2024 season by rushing for 158 yards and a team leading six touchdowns for the Paladins in 2025. The Braselton, Ga., product and health & exercise science major totaled a season high 52 yards and two scores in the Paladins' 24-14 win over The Citadel.
Han and Moody were presented the Shining Knight Award, which is awarded "to a senior Paladin who exudes positivity and optimism, has demonstrated extraordinary support of Furman Athletics, and consistently puts others before self."
A native of Ormond Beach, Fla., Han is a four-year letterwinner on the men's tennis team. Having played primarily at doubles throughout his career, Han has compiled 29 doubles wins and nine in singles competition. He registered a career best 10 doubles victories twice in 2024 and 2026. As a freshman in 2023, Han logged a 9-6 doubles mark. He compiled a career high four singles wins this past season. A business administration major, Han has been named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll three times.
Moody spent the past three seasons as a student assistant with the volleyball team, handling logistical, operational, and statistical roles for the program. A native of Dandridge, Tenn., she is a founding member of the Furman Fanatics, the university's student-run fan club. Moody is a member of Alpha Phi Omega and Phi Eta Sigma, and competed on the club volleyball, disc golf, and spike ball club teams. She double majored in business administration and sociology.
Chiang and Mulhern received the Elizabeth Blackwell Academic Award after posting the highest GPA among Furman's female student-athletes.
A native of West Chester, Pa., Mulhern holds a 3.97 GPA in communications studies. She earned the SoCon's Knight Commission Pinnacle Award as the Furman student-athlete with the highest GPA after finishing third and helping the Paladins to their 12th-straight SoCon Cross Country title as a junior in 2024. An All-Southeast Region honoree for cross country, Mulhern is a member of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team and the CSC Academic All-District Team.
Chiang, who also sports a 3.97 GPA in biology, is set to graduate in three years and is a three-year letterwinner with the Paladin softball team. A native of Cumming, Ga., she has played in 146 games and made 137 starts at second base while at Furman. The CSC Academic All-District selection has registered 80 career hits and swiped 21 bases during her Paladin career.
Schuck and Vander Wal were the 2026 recipients of the Dr. John Block Academic Award, which is given annually to the male athlete or athletes with the highest GPA.
Schuck, a business administration major from Brentwood, Tenn., who produced a 4.0 GPA over his three years as an undergraduate, is the third consecutive football player — and sixth member of the sport since 2018 — to capture the award. He played in 23 games and made 13 starts at the bandit position in his career, tallying 56 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and three sacks. A member of Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society, he is a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection.
Vander Wal, who received the Dr. Gary Clark Student-Athlete Achievement Award in addition to the Dr. John Block Academic Award, also posted a 4.0 GPA. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 7.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game en route to earning Southern Conference All-Defensive Team accolades as a senior. He helped the Paladins to a 22-13 record, SoCon Tournament title and the school's second NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four seasons. A native of Elmhurst, Ill., and double major in business administration and communications, Vander Wal was selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
2026 Senior Awards
Bryce Stanfield Iron Paladin Award
Grace Gibson – Women's Lacrosse
Jayquan Smith - Football
Shining Knight Spirit Award
Alex Han – Men's Tennis
Liz Moody - Volleyball
Elizabeth Blackwell Academic Award
Ansley Chiang - Softball - 3.97
Jenna Mulhern – Women's Cross Country/Track - 3.97
Dr. John Block Academic Award
Tanner Schuck - Football - 4.0
Ben Vander Wal – Men's Basketball - 4.0
Dr. Gary Clark Student-Athlete Achievement Award
Ben Vander Wal – Men's Basketball
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