NORFOLK, Va. — Hampton University’s Ryan Jordan and Morgan State University’s Nicolas Smith were selected as the 2015-16 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) Nike Post-Graduate Scholarship recipients.
Jordan, a women’s basketball student-athlete, and Smith, a men’s cross country and track and field student-athlete, will receive a $5,000 scholarship to aid them as they advance to a graduate degree program.
Both Jordan and Smith were three-time Commissioner’s All-Academic Team recipients (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16), which honored the academic success of student-athletes with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.
“I’d like to congratulate Ryan Jordan and Nicolas Smith on being selected for the post-graduate scholarship,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas. “They are two talented student-athletes and I wish them continued success. I’m happy that the MEAC, and our corporate partner Nike, are able to assist in the cost of their graduate education.”
As a two-year starter and four-year varsity letter winner, Jordan averaged 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 100 career games as a forward for the Lady Pirates. She helped her team win three MEAC regular season championships (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15) and two MEAC Tournament championships (2013 and 2014). Jordan graduated from Hampton with a 3.92 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She has been admitted to American University’s Strategic Communications Master’s Program, where she plans to enroll in the fall.
Smith, a three-year letterman for the Bears, graduated from Morgan State with a 3.75 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy. In the fall, Smith will enroll in to the Doctor Program of Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Athletically, he finished fourth for the Bears at the 2012 MEAC Cross Country Championship, with personal best time of 30:15.50, in the 8k.
The MEAC’s Nike Post-Graduate Scholarship is awarded by the conference to a deserving male and female student-athlete for their outstanding academic and athletic performance. The recipients must be in their final season of intercollegiate athletics eligibility and competition under MEAC and NCAA regulations for the sport in which the student-athlete is nominated.