RINDGE, N.H. (May 4, 2016) -- This past Sunday evening, the Franklin Pierce University Department of Athletics held its annual Hall of Fame Induction and Student-Athlete Awards Ceremony in the Fieldhouse. The University's student-athlete body, Athletics staff, distinguished alumni and President Andrew H. Card were all on-hand to both celebrate the present and honor the past, while the ceremony served as a finale to the institution's 53rd academic year.

With the two-tiered goal of recognizing current student-athletes and honoring those who came before, the ceremony is split into two distinct sections every year. First, various scholarship awards are announced, each honoring particular traits and accomplishments, such as leadership, good sportsmanship, or community service. The awards portion of the evening is capped by the four major award recipients, as there are male and female awards for Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.

Richard Burns Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year

The Richard Burns Senior Male & Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year are presented annually to one female and one male senior varsity student-athlete who have earned a 3.20 cumulative grade point average or higher while making a significant contribution to their team. While both sets of major awards are a reflection of student-athlete accomplishments both on and off the field, the Burns Awards focus on excellence in the classroom, while competing at the highest level.

The female recipient of the Burns Award, Kara Charette (Fairhaven, Mass.), played in every single game over her four years in Rindge with the women's basketball program. On the court, she was a three-time All-Northeast-10 Conference selection (2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14), including First Team honors in each of the last two seasons, in addition to an All-Rookie Team selection as a freshman (2012-13). Charette is a two-time All-East Region selection (2015-16, 2014-15) and will graduate third all-time in program history with 1,945 career points. In the classroom, she is a two-time Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference selection (2015-16, 2014-15) and a seven-time selection to the Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, earning the latter accolade in every semester she was eligible. Through the fall semester, she had posted a 3.58 cumulative grade-point average as a criminal justice major.

The male recipient of the Burns Award, Justin Brock (Latham, N.Y.), has missed just seven games over four seasons in crimson and grey and has started in all 198 games he has played, seeing time at both middle infield positions. He earned his first career All-Northeast-10 selection last season and was named to the All-Rookie Team as a freshman (2013). Brock will graduate as the program's all-time leader in stolen bases, as he has currently swiped 110 bags in his career. In the classroom, he earned Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference honors a year ago and is a seven-time selection to the Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, having earned the latter award in each semester he was eligible. Trough the fall semester, he held a 3.49 cumulative grade-point average and will graduate with a degree in accounting.

Walter Peterson Senior Student-Athletes of the Year

Named for the former Governor of New Hampshire and the second President of Franklin Pierce University (1975-1995), the Walter Peterson Male & Female Senior Student-Athlete of the Year awards are presented annually to one female and one male varsity student-athlete who has performed at a high level during their career at the University, while maintaining a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade-point average. While both sets of major awards are a reflection of student-athlete accomplishments both on and off the field, the Peterson Awards focus on excellence in athletics, while balancing the requirements necessary to complete a degree.

The female recipient of the Peterson Award, Alyssa Lambert (Manchester, N.H.), has been the premier student-athlete on the women's cross country and track & field programs over the previous four years. She holds school records in more than 10 individual track events, and has also run the fastest 5K and 6K cross country times in school history. Lambert is a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection in cross country and has earned All-East Region honors on the track, for her work in the distance medley relay. This past winter, she qualified for the NCAA Championships in the indoor mile, becoming the first woman in program history to make an NCAA appearance.

The male recipient of the Peterson Award, Colton Ham (Webster, N.H.), is also a member of the Ravens cross country and track & field programs, and has been a stand-out in both over his four years in Rindge. He is currently the school record-holder in the outdoor mile, the outdoord 3000 meters and the steeplechase, and has run the fastest 10K cross country time in school history. In cross country, Ham is a two-time NCAA Championship qualifier, a three-time All-East Region pick and a three-time All-Northeast-10 selection. On the track, he is a three-time All-Region selection and two-time All-Northeast-10 pick in the steeplechase.

Hall of Fame Inductions

The second half of the evening's program consisted of the induction of the five newest members of the Franklin Pierce Athletics Hall of Fame. Along the way, each inductee was featured in a short video -- produced by junior Scott DeLaura -- consisting of reminiscence from coaches and staff who interacted with the honoree during their time in Rindge.

Karissa Hookstadt-Atwood '09 was a four-year member of the volleyball team at Franklin Pierce and still stands as the program's all-time leader in assists (4306). She is one of just four players in program history to play in 120 or more matches and currently ranks fifth in school history in aces (136) and seventh in blocks (235). Hookstadt-Atwood was a three-time All-Northeast-10 Conference selection for the Ravens and set a program record for assists in a single season as a senior, with 1224. She was a three-time team captain and helped lead the team to postseason apeparances in each of her four years on campus.

Craig Stewart '05 has seen both sides of the men's soccer program at Franklin Pierce, as he represented the Ravens first as a player, before returning to spend three years as head coach. As a player, he was a 2004 NSCAA All-America First Team selection and also the 2004 Northeast-10 Conference Player of the Year. As a three-year head coach (2009-11), Stewart put together a 51-8-6 record, was a two-time NSCAA East Region Coach of the Year and the 2010 Northeast-10 Coach of the Year. As a coach, he guided the team to the national semifinal in 2011 and captured Northeast-10 titles in both 2010 and 2011.

The Grimshaw-Gudewicz Foundation was inducted in the contributor category, to honor their decades-long history of giving to both the University and the Department of Athletics. The Foundation's most-significant contribution can be seen in the building which bears its name, the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Activity Center at Northfields, which is the campus' main indoor recreation facility. Along the way, the Foundation has also contributed funds towards racing shells for the rowing program, the Dr. Arthur and Martha Pappas Health Sciences and Athletic Training Center, and press box and clubhouse space for the softball program.

Jennifer Leedham '09, like Stewart with the men's soccer program, was a decorated student-athlete at Franklin Pierce before returning to coach her former squad. As a four-year stand-out on the women's basketball team, she was a two-time All-Northeast-10 selection and took home Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2009. Leedham currently ranks second in program history in steals (255), second in assists (522) and eighth in points (1386). She helped lead the team to the 2009 National Championship Game, as well as back-to-back NCAA Regional titles. Leedham returned as an assistant coach from 2009-12, capturing another regional title, and then served as head coach from 2012-16.

Johannah Leedham '10 was also a four-year stand-out on the women's basketball game and is understood to be the best player in program -- if not Division II -- history. Inducted into the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame last summer, she was a two-time WBCA National Player of the Year, as well as a three-time selection as Northeast-10 Player. Leedham is the NCAA Division II all-time leading scorer with 3050 points, which ranks fifth all-time across all three NCAA divisions. She led the team to the 2009 National Championship Game, the 2010 National Semifinal and three straight NCAA regional titles. After completing her Ravens career, Leedham was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the 2010 WNBA Draft and later represented her native Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Scholarship Awards

Earlier in the evening, prior to the major senior student-athlete awards, 11 members of the Franklin Pierce Atheltics community were presented with scholarship awards, as follows:

Fred Berger Scholarship: Marc Roche, Baseball
This Berger Scholarship is given annually to an individual who serves as the team manager to one of Franklin Pierce's varsity intercollegiate teams, and is in good academic standing.

Catherine Crochiere Scholarship: Dana Campbell, women's basketball
The Catherine Crochiere Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Catherine Crochiere '68, who was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1972, while serving as a faculty member at the College. The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a Franklin Pierce female student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding achievement in the sport of basketball. The recipient must demonstrate personal integrity and sportsmanship, as well as a zest for life, which Catherine personally exemplified.

Community Service Award: Aiden Garcia
The Franklin Pierce Community Service award is presented to a student-athlete who has performed outstanding community work during their career at Franklin Pierce. A junior on the volleyball team, Garcia has led both Dig Pink and Dig Lavender initiatives during her time in Rindge, has helped organize the SAAC Color Run on three occasions and has helped organize a dodgeball tournament to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among other activities.

Tod Silegy Scholarship: Drew Bois, men's soccer
The Tod Silegy Scholarship is supported by former men’s soccer players, along with family and friends of the former coach, who led the Ravens for 22 years. The recipient of this award must exemplify outstanding character and commitment to the Franklin Pierce community.

Northeast-10 Woman of the Year nominee: Lauren Beville, women's lacrosse
A senior attacker on the women's lacrosse team, Beville will graduate in the top-five in program history in points and assists, as well as in the top-10 in goals. In the classroom, she was a Northeast-10 Academic All-Conference selection a year ago and is a seven-time selection to the Northeast-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll, having earned the latter honor in each semester she was eligible for it. In the community, Beville has worked with the Keene Head Start program, volunteered as a youth lacrosse coach and assisted with numerous SAAC programs.

Henry Verity Scholarship: John Lochhead, men's soccer
The Henry Verity Scholarship is presented to a men’s soccer player who is a community leader, team player and all-around good student, as well as a United States citizen.

Bruce Kirsh Scholarship: Tanner Bird, baseball
Established in 2002 through the efforts of the Department of Athletics, The Bruce Kirsh Scholarship was created to honor the Director of Athletics for his many years of integrity, hard work and dedication to the University and community. The award is presented to a non-scholarship varsity student-athlete who has exhibited these traits.

Don & Judy Schriefer Scholarships
Alex Bonitto, men's cross country/track & field
Liam Moloney, men's lacrosse
Danielle Crawford, women's cross country/track & field
Nicole Galewski, women's track & field
The Don and Judy Schriefer Scholarships annually recognize female and male student-athletes who meet criteria set by the Institutional Advancement Office. Recipients must maintain a 2.50 grade-point average or higher, be a non-scholarship athlete, be a returning upperclassman and must be recommended for the scholarship by their head coach.

After the scholarship winners were announced, the final presentation of the student-athlete portion of the ceremony was the acknowledgment of student-athletes eligible for induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honors Society, which was announced by Senior Lecturer of Business Administration and Faculty Athletics Representative William Costa. To be eligible for Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must have reached their junior year, achieved a minimum 3.40 cumulative grade-point average, be of good moral character and recieved the endorsement of their head coach. This spring, Franklin Pierce honored 46 individuals:

In all, the evening served as one final opportunity to get the entire Department of Athletics together in 2015-16 and cap off another successful year in Raven Nation.