Basic HTML Version
Campus Review
June 25, 2012
Page 12
Campus Review
June 25, 2012
Editor:
John Shiffert
Writers:
Erin Fender
Ciji Fox
Lauren Graves
Layout:
Lauren Graves
Photography: Erin Fender
Ciji Fox
Graphic Design: Lauren Graves
Clayton State Runner Named
Capital One Academic All-American
Robert Spezzacatena, a senior on the
Clayton State track & field team, was
named Capital One Academic All-
America to the men’s cross country and
track & field teams. Spezzacatena was
selected to the third team and is the first
track & field Laker in the program’s 16-
year history to be named Academic All-
America.
The award is widely regarded as the high-
est individual honor a student-athlete can
achieve, as it measures success in the
classroom and success on the track. The
academic teams are administered and
selected by the College Sports
Information Directors of America
(CoSIDA).
Spezzacatena, who hails from North
Bergen, N.J., finished his career at
Clayton State this spring as a four-year
letter winner in track, as well as two sea-
sons on the cross country team. He grad-
uated in May with a Business degree and
a 3.90 grade point average.
“This is a very nice honor for Rob to
receive as he completed his athletic career
here at Clayton State,” says Laker head
coach Mike Mead. “Rob was a leader in
the classroom and on the track and is
deserving of this honor.”
Last month, Spezzacatena, along with
teammate Russell Lawless, were named
to the Capital One Division II Academic
All-District teams for men’s cross country
and track & field.
During his track career, Spezzacatena ran
primarily the 400m and 800m events.
This past season, he raced distances from
100m to 400m and ran legs on the 4 x 100
and 4 x 400m relays. In 2010, he held the
team’s 600m indoor record that teammate
Ricky Fort bettered in 2011.
Spezzacatena was recipient of the H.
Mason Barfield Award for the past two
seasons which recognizes the top male
academic student within the Clayton State
athletics program. He was named Gold
Scholar for four consecutive years to the
Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor
Roll. Gold Scholars are those student-ath-
letes who earn a GPA between 3.75 and
4.00.
To be eligible for Academic All-
America® consideration, a student-ath-
lete must be a varsity starter or key
reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of
3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached
sophomore athletic and academic stand-
ings at his/her current institution and be
nominated by his/her sports information
director. Since the program’s inception in
1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic
All-America honors on more than 14,000
student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and
NAIA, covering all NCAA championship
sports.
Sports
“The American Chemical society confer-
ence was an opportunity like no other,”
states Abdelhamid. “It was an endless
supply of knowledge in the sessions that
ranged from biochemistry to physical
chemistry to acceptance into graduate
school. I met people in my field of study.
I also met graduate school representatives
and students who were able to give me a
look at what to expect.
“The opportunity to go to the ACS confer-
ence would not be possible if not for
WI2STEM and advisor Mary Hudachek-
Buswell. From the four ACS attendees,
we appreciate you and WI2STEM great-
ly.”
All four students are active members of
WI2STEM and appreciate the opportunity
that has been handed to them by Georgia
Power and they plan on taking full advan-
tage of it.
“This is a chance for them to learn more
about their fields they plan to enter as well
as provide them with an experience that
would normally be out of reach,” notes
Hudachek-Buswell. “Abdelhamid, Crisci,
Farooq and Vann want Georgia Power to
know they will be good stewards in their
disciplines as a result of their travels.”
Wi2STEM, cont’d. from p. 9