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To become an Eagle Scholar, student-athletes must
have a GPA of 3.25 or higher.
Following an inaugural membership of 72, the program
this year honored 93 students during its ceremony
for qualified Eagle Scholars. The number represents
a 29 percent increase in its first year, but doesn't tell
the whole story, according to Gloria Walker, Carson-
Newman's academic success coach and athletic
liaison. Walker says the number speaks volumes for
the program's future.
"We actually lost a lot of our Eagle Scholars to
graduation [Spring 2014], and we still increased
our numbers," explained Walker. "It's turned into
something where the kids are starting to compete."
Qualifying student-athletes wear the Eagle Scholars
patch on their uniforms during competition.
Walker says that though the SAC honors academic
success through its Commissioner's Honor Roll, the
thought was for the University itself to recognize
student-athlete achievement. "We wanted to do
something on the local level and really bring attention
to that 'hey, our kids get it done on the field and the
court, but we want people to know what they do in
the classroom."
