Franke, Mahaffy & Paulis Honored With Chancellor-Provost’s Student Leadership Awards
Jul 11 | General, Women's Rowing
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Three Rutgers student-athletes were recognized with the annual Chancellor-Provost's Student Leadership Awards for their remarkable contributions to the University and community.
These students consistently demonstrated collaboration, leadership and resourcefulness, had a tremendous passion for Rutgers and went outside of their normal responsibilities to achieve goals. These awards acknowledged the amazing contributions of an individual student or student organization for their leadership, commitment, and pride for Rutgers and the community at large during the past year.
Tanisha Franke, Rowing - Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award is given to a student who has committed their University experience by encouraging social justice, inclusion, and appreciation for the myriad of distinct and extraordinary perspectives within the Rutgers community.
Tanisha Franke showed initiative with the Rutgers women's rowing team during the summer of 2020 as the Black Lives Matter movement gained greater awareness. She connected with other Big Ten schools on behalf of the Rutgers team to start conference-wide discussions about what practical actions both rowers and coaches could take. As a result, during the next Big Ten Championships meet, all teams supported local Black-owned businesses and awareness was raised by releasing a public statement of unity. Since her initial action, Franke has been an active member of the Big Ten Equality Coalition, as well as an appointment as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In this role, she has made it a priority to strengthen not only the students of color, but also the LGBTQ+ and international students support systems.
Franke led by example in athletics and academics with her 3.46 GPA, multiple Dean's List selections and being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. She also represented her team at the NCAA Championships on the Varsity 4 boat twice, finishing 10th in the nation in 2019 and 7th in the country in 2021. Through SAAC Franke helped out in many ways, such as volunteering, at recruiting events, and representing the athletic department at donor events. She also participated in Rutgers Embrace Kids Foundation at events such as Rutgers Dance Marathon, where children and families benefit from the donations and social interactions.
Emily Mahaffy, Rowing - Competitive Excellence Award
Femke Paulis, Rowing - Competitive Excellence Award
Given to a student who has achieved academic success and performed in competitive sport activities with dedication, sportsmanship, and exemplary character; leaving a positive and lasting impression on a community, team, or organization.
Emily Mahaffy coxswained the Varsity 8 and 2nd Varsity 8 throughout the 2021-22 season that saw both boats qualify for the NCAA Championships for a third consecutive year. She led the Varsity 8 to a 13th place national finish in 2022, winning the C final race and scoring points toward a 13th place team finish at the national regatta. Mahaffy also earned a bronze medal with the 2nd Varsity 8 at the Big Ten Championships, one of a record six medals for the Scarlet Knights at the conference regatta. She was bestowed the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2022.
Femke Paulis sat in stroke seat of the Varsity 8 throughout the 2021-22 season that saw the boat qualify for the NCAA Championships for a third consecutive year. She led the Varsity 8 to a 13th place national finish in 2022, winning its C/D semifinal race and the C final race while scoring points toward a 13th place team finish at the national regatta. Paulis also rowed the Varsity 8 to a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, helping the program place third in the conference for the second consecutive season.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
These students consistently demonstrated collaboration, leadership and resourcefulness, had a tremendous passion for Rutgers and went outside of their normal responsibilities to achieve goals. These awards acknowledged the amazing contributions of an individual student or student organization for their leadership, commitment, and pride for Rutgers and the community at large during the past year.
Tanisha Franke, Rowing - Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award
This award is given to a student who has committed their University experience by encouraging social justice, inclusion, and appreciation for the myriad of distinct and extraordinary perspectives within the Rutgers community.
Tanisha Franke showed initiative with the Rutgers women's rowing team during the summer of 2020 as the Black Lives Matter movement gained greater awareness. She connected with other Big Ten schools on behalf of the Rutgers team to start conference-wide discussions about what practical actions both rowers and coaches could take. As a result, during the next Big Ten Championships meet, all teams supported local Black-owned businesses and awareness was raised by releasing a public statement of unity. Since her initial action, Franke has been an active member of the Big Ten Equality Coalition, as well as an appointment as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In this role, she has made it a priority to strengthen not only the students of color, but also the LGBTQ+ and international students support systems.
Franke led by example in athletics and academics with her 3.46 GPA, multiple Dean's List selections and being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. She also represented her team at the NCAA Championships on the Varsity 4 boat twice, finishing 10th in the nation in 2019 and 7th in the country in 2021. Through SAAC Franke helped out in many ways, such as volunteering, at recruiting events, and representing the athletic department at donor events. She also participated in Rutgers Embrace Kids Foundation at events such as Rutgers Dance Marathon, where children and families benefit from the donations and social interactions.
Emily Mahaffy, Rowing - Competitive Excellence Award
Femke Paulis, Rowing - Competitive Excellence Award
Given to a student who has achieved academic success and performed in competitive sport activities with dedication, sportsmanship, and exemplary character; leaving a positive and lasting impression on a community, team, or organization.
Emily Mahaffy coxswained the Varsity 8 and 2nd Varsity 8 throughout the 2021-22 season that saw both boats qualify for the NCAA Championships for a third consecutive year. She led the Varsity 8 to a 13th place national finish in 2022, winning the C final race and scoring points toward a 13th place team finish at the national regatta. Mahaffy also earned a bronze medal with the 2nd Varsity 8 at the Big Ten Championships, one of a record six medals for the Scarlet Knights at the conference regatta. She was bestowed the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2022.
Femke Paulis sat in stroke seat of the Varsity 8 throughout the 2021-22 season that saw the boat qualify for the NCAA Championships for a third consecutive year. She led the Varsity 8 to a 13th place national finish in 2022, winning its C/D semifinal race and the C final race while scoring points toward a 13th place team finish at the national regatta. Paulis also rowed the Varsity 8 to a fourth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, helping the program place third in the conference for the second consecutive season.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates. Also visit ScarletKnights.com for additional information on Rutgers Athletics.
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