DR. LEROY WALKER CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER® AWARD WINNER

Samantha Silver

Bushnell University (Ore.)

Samantha Silver, a softball student-athlete at Bushnell University (Ore.), demonstrates integrity in her daily tasks; responsibility for self, community, and family; servant leadership in problem-solving to address community needs; and sportsmanship through demonstrating advocacy. And she does all of this is in the context of being an active student-athlete, managing academics, multiple jobs, family, relationships, and leadership roles on campus.

This past academic year, Silver wrote her capstone on student-athlete wellness. This opened the door for her to be selected for a Graduate Assistant Vision and Call grant, where she’ll have the opportunity to build additional programs to support student-athlete wellness by removing barriers to care and acting as a liaison between athletics and the counseling department.

Silver graduated with high honors this year and won the Gardepiey-Peloquin

Outstanding Speaker Award, the biggest honor awarded by Bushnell’s Communication department. Silver will be Bushnell’s first student-athlete to tackle the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program while also competing as she begins her graduate school studies this fall.

Silver’s character speaks for itself. She lives a life of integrity and responsibility. She leads through a servant’s heart and displays sportsmanship in competition. She respects those around her and has earned the respect of her coaches, teammates, and opponents.