ACC Names 2015 Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford announced Thursday a list of 45 student-athletes who have been selected for the 2015 Weaver-James-Corrigan Award, including three student-athletes who will receive the Thacker Award. An additional eight student-athletes who plan to pursue professional careers in their chosen sports were named honorary recipients. Duke's Sarah Collins, David Helton and Claire Vannelli were named Weaver-James-Corrigan Award recipients while Elizabeth Williams was an honorary selection.

The Weaver-James-Corrigan and Jim and Pat Thacker postgraduate scholarships are awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree following completion of their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient will receive $5,000 toward his or her graduate education. Those honored have performed with distinction in both the classroom and their respective sport, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.

The Weaver-James-Corrigan Award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver and Bob James, as well as Gene Corrigan, the first three ACC commissioners.

Collins, a two-time captain and a three-time qualifier for the NCAA Fencing Championships is in the middle of her senior season and currently holds a career record of 188-71. As a junior, Collins notched 47 regular season victories and placed 12th at the NCAA Championships, earning the first All-America selection of her career. Outside of competition, Collins currently spends four hours a week tutoring fourth and fifth graders at Durham Public Schools. She has also participated in Read with the Blue Devils, Project Share and packaging meals during the holidays.

Helton was a four-year letterwinner and two-year starter at linebacker for the Blue Devils. In 2014 he led the ACC in tackles per game (10.31) for the second straight year, becoming only the fifth player in league history to repeat as tackle champion, and the first since NFL Pro Bowler Luke Kuechly from 2009-11. Helton finished his career ranked 10th in Duke history with 347 tackles. Off the field, he received the National Football Foundation (NFF) William V. Campbell Trophy as well as the ACC's Jim Tatum Award. Helton was also a NFF Scholar-Athlete Award recipient and a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Vannelli has been a key member of the varsity eight for all four years of her Duke rowing career. She has led the boat to second, third and fifth-place finishes during her three trips to the ACC Championship. Last spring, she helped Duke appear at No. 20 in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/US Rowing Coaches Poll. She has also been a part of two varsity eights that were elected as the ACC Crew of the Week. Vannelli has excelled in the classroom, earning Collegiate Coaches Rowing Association Scholar-Athlete accolades twice and being a three-time selection to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and two-time honoree on the All-ACC Academic Rowing Team.

Williams, a three-time Associated Press All-America and ACC Defensive Player of the Year, is one of the top shot-blockers in NCAA history. She has helped lead Duke to one ACC Championship, two ACC regular season titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. A John R. Wooden Award, Wade Trophy and Naismith Trophy candidate for National Player of the Year, Williams is also one of 10 finalists for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award. She is a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, two-time All-ACC Academic honoree and three-time ACC Honor Roll selection. Williams earned Dean's List accolades in the spring of 2012 semester at Duke.

The 53 student-athletes will be honored at the annual Cone Health ACC Postgraduate Luncheon hosted by the Nat Greene Kiwanis Club and presented by ESPN on April 15 at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro.

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