Release by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 
Some information sourced from FPU Office of Academic Affairs

RINDGE, NH (4/18/2024) – The Franklin Pierce University graduation clock is ticking down and in just three weeks, the class of 2024 will cross the stage to receive their degrees. Finishing at the top of their class, are two Franklin Pierce University Student-Athletes who have been named this year's Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Over the last four years, the 2024 Valedictorian, Madeline Ward (Wolfeboro, NH) suited up in the crimson and gray as a member of the Franklin Pierce Volleyball team. In the classroom, Ward stayed busy pursuing her degree in Biology while also receiving a double minor in Chemistry and Spanish. Between classes and practice, she also served as a tutor in chemistry at the Student Success Center and assisted students as a writing tutor at the Wensburg Writing Center. She also worked as a research assistant in Dr. Shallee Page's research lab studying bacteriophages.

According to the Office of Academic Affairs, Maddie competed her degree in December of 2023 and has already started working at Harvard University Medical School as a research assistant in the Oyler-Yaniv Lab with plans to attend medical school.

For Ryan Walker (Seabrook, NH), earning Salutatorian is another impressive finish line crossed during his time at Franklin Pierce. In the classroom, Walker majored in Health Sciences while also earning an Exercise Physiology certificate. When he wasn't running to class, he was running the loop around campus as a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field team. His hard work in academics and athletics earned him two NE10 Elite 24 awards, two USTFCCCA Cross-Country All-Academic Honors, and seven NE10 Academic All-Conference acknowledgements.

The Franklin Pierce University graduation ceremony is set for Saturday, May 11 at 10:15 AM on the Rindge, NH Campus. For information about graduation, click HERE.