Illinois and Purdue Student-Athletes Named 2023 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 22, 2023) – Diana Brown of the University of Illinois and Thomas Penola of Purdue University have been selected as this year’s Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients. All 14 Big Ten Conference member institutions were asked to nominate one female and one male student-athlete for the 2023 school year. The two students selected were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship for their achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and leadership.

 

In recognition of the Big Ten Conference’s leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. During the past 16 years, the award has contributed nearly $300,000 in scholarships.

 

The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals supporting intercollegiate athletics. The Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and Visit Indy.

 

Brown is a four-time captain and five-year member of the University of Illinois volleyball team that has had three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four, during her time with the program. Brown ranks among the top 10 on Illinois’ career charts for assists, digs, and sets played. She was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in her first-year campaign.

 

In addition to her accomplishments on the court, Brown graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average, majoring in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in psychology. She is continuing her education by pursuing a master’s degree in community health. Brown was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team selection twice and Second Team once. She was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient, and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.  

 

Along with her work on the court and in the classroom, Brown served as secretary and treasurer of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), a leadership committee organized to provide insight into the student-athlete experience. Brown is very active in her community, volunteering with Feed My Starving Children, W.A.R.M. Food Drive, and as a Crisis Text Line operator.

 

Brown is…