Swarthmore's scholar athletes

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
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Swarthmore’s 2016 Commencement Weekend had many highlights; one that stood out involved a runner named Katie Jo McMenamin. On Saturday, May 28, McMenamin ran in the NCAA DIII Track and Field Championships. She won the 1500 meter race in the afternoon, setting records in the process. Just three hours later, she placed second in the 5,000 meter race. McMenamin and family then drove four hours to O’Hare and waited for the first flight to Philadelphia on Sunday morning. She got back in time for the 10 am start to Commencement, where she received her degree in engineering. http://www.swarthmoreathletics.com/news/2016/5/28/womens-track-field-mcmenamin-wins-gold-in-1500-silver-in-5k-at-ncaa-championships.aspx

We happened to be in Parrish Hall when the 1500 meter race was run. Numerous classmates gathered around laptops to watch the live feed. The excitement was palpable as McMenamin passed the other runners and lengthened her lead until crossing the finish line. It was heart-warming to see the admiration and respect that Swarthmore students had for one of their classmates. Of course, she is as strong in the classroom as she is on the track. With acceptances from many top programs, McMenamin will start work on a Ph.D. in engineering in the fall.

Swarthmore is not known for athletics, but this has been a banner year. For instance, just this week, Mark Fallati competed in the NCAA DIII Tennis Tournament. Men’s Lacrosse played in the Centennnial Conference playoffs. In golf, freshman Vamsi Damerla finished second in the Centennial Conference Championships. Men’s basketball played in the Centennial Conference Championship Game. Women’s soccer were regular season champions and played in the Elite Eight of the DIII National Championship Tournament. There were many other noteworthy individual and team performances by Swarthmore’s scholar athletes.

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Is this part is of a strategic plan? Too many coincidences. Congrats! Love those record setting engineers!

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The Dean of Admissions is often asked whether Swarthmore’s preferences are changing. Here is what he said back in 2011:

http://daily.swarthmore.edu/2011/04/07/class-of-2015/
Whether things have changed in the interim I cannot say. It would be interesting to know whether coaches feel that more of their recruits are being accepted these days.

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To change priorities would mean to change perspectives at Swarthmore. They are as certain as the military academies in their world view.