July 3, 2009

Garden City, N.Y. - Seniors Jaclyn Bogensberger (Valley Stream, N.Y.) from Adelphi University, Katelyn Dunn (Bethpage, N.Y.) from Molloy College and Leonard Lans (Spring Valley, N.Y.) from Dowling College have been selected to receive the inaugural Experience in Community and Character Award. This award was created to recognize student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through positive actions and behaviors that are consistent with the NCAA Division II attributes of learning, service, passion, sportsmanship, resourcefulness and balance.

Jaclyn Bogesberger, the first recipient of the award, shines in all aspects of her life. Initially a walk-on on the women's lacrosse team, she was selected as a team captain and became a starting defender for the national championship team. In 2009, Bogesberger was named to the All-Conference Second Team and was voted to the NCAA All-Tournament team for her outstanding efforts during the Championships.

Bogesberger boasts a nearly perfect 3.98 grade point average as a math major in the Honors College. Her dedication to her academic studies has earned her a spot on the Dean's list every semester at Adelphi as well as a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Bogesberger was also the recipient of the Math Recognition Award which is the highest honor given to a math major and is a member of the Math Honor Society.

Bogesberger is an active member in community. She has coached youth lacrosse clinics and continues to tutors high school math students. As a member of the Adelphi SAAC, she helped run the Cans for Cancer program along with several Breast Cancer Awareness fund-raisers. Additionally, she is very involved with the Autism Foundation and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and works in the Office of Media Relations as a graphic designer.

The second recipient Katelyn Dunn epitomizes the model Division II student-athlete. She has been a member of the women's basketball team for the four years, serving as captain for the past two seasons. Dunn was a starter on the 2008 ECC Championship team which was the first team in Molloy history, male or female, to advance to an NCAA Regional. She was the recipient of the Molloy Athletic Department Recognition Award, which is given to a student-athlete who displays sportsmanship in competition and dedication to the Athletics Department.

Dunn served as the President of her campus Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for three years and was voted the East Coast Conference SAAC President in her senior year. During her tenure as Molloy SAAC President she spearheaded events to raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation including, Links of Love, Midnight Madness and Battle of the Athletes. Molloy topped all ECC institutions in funds raised for the cause during the first two years of her presidency and, under her direction, elevated their goal each year, raising $2600.00 in 2007, $4063.49 in 2008 and $4726.81 in 2009.

In addition to her duties to her team, her studies and the SAAC, Dunn has been involved with the Student Government Association on her campus for four year. She was elected Senior Class President in 2008 and helped to develop activities and events for the entire student body. She also manages to hold a part time job at a local restaurant and graduated in May with a degree in Adolescent Education with a concentration in Social Studies and Special Education.

The third recipient, Leonard Lans has set the tone for student-athletes at Dowling College. He compiled a 3.71 grade point average during his time at Dowling and was named the 2008-2009 Men's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

This season Lans appeared in 29 games for the Golden Lions, pitching in with 175 points while cracking the conference charts in offensive rebounds. The two-year captain was instrumental in the rebirth of the men's basketball program, guiding them to the Semifinals of the conference tournament.

Off the court, Lans spends his time giving back to the community. He served as the Dowling SAAC Treasurer this year and was a driving force behind Dowling's successful Make-A-Wish campaign. The Golden Lions raised a record setting amount for the cause, granting over three wishes (5,500 per wish). Lans also participates in the department's Keep Islip Clean initiative and semiannual blood drive. During the holiday season, Lans wrapped presents and served food at the Annual Children's Holiday Dinner and continues to runs clinics at the local elementary schools.

The Excellence in Community and Character Award
The ECC Award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through positive actions and behaviors that are consistent with the NCAA Division II attributes of learning, service, passion, sportsmanship, resourcefulness and balance, as members of their institutions campus community.

Each institution nominates one male and one female student-athlete who satisfy the following criteria: participated as a member of an intercollegiate athlete team during the current year, maintained good academic standing at the time of the nomination and achieved highly in at least four of the NCAA Division II attribute categories. This award is administered and voted on by the ECC Faculty Athletic Representative Council at the end of each academic year.