INDIANAPOLIS – Lindenwood University swimming & diving student-athlete Jerry Brown and University of Indianapolis track & field student-athlete Katrinia Hopkins have been named the third annual recipients of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Postgraduate Scholarship, the league office announced on Tuesday.
The GLVC Postgraduate Scholarship is awarded to one male and one female each year in the amount of $2,500 each to be used in their first year of post-graduate enrollment at the institution of their choice.
A fixture on the Lindenwood men’s swimming & diving team each of the last four seasons, Brown has been just as instrumental in the classroom as in the pool. While maintaining a 3.97 cumulate GPA as a Health Promotion and Wellness major with minors in Strength & Conditioning, Recreation Administration, and Coaching, Brown has shined as one of the top swimmers in the country. A product of Minot, N.D., Brown recently won the 100 breaststroke at the NCAA Division II national championships, adding to a resume that includes two-time All-America and 2021 Olympic Trials qualifier. The senior has also been a leader for the Lions, earning the program’s Heart of a Lion award, in addition to winning the Most Improved accolade in 2018.
Brown has given back to the swimming community in some capacity each of the past seven years. In 2014, Brown served as a lifeguard in Minot before working his way up to Assistant Manager in 2017 and Manager in 2019. During his six years at Roosevelt Pool, Brown earned his CPO Certification to become a certified pool/spa operator. In late 2019, Brown also was an assistant coach for Parkway Swim Club in St. Louis, Mo., assisting in the development of young swimmers aged 8-14. In February 2021, Brown became the head coach and aquatics supervisor at Life Time Swim, West County in Chesterfield, Mo.
Brown plans to pursue a Master of Science in Health Science with a specialization in sport science and performance. “I chose this degree because I am passionate about optimizing human performance,” said Brown. “I hope to coach swimming collegiately and to be the best coach I can possibly be.”
Hopkins has been a key contributor to not only the UIndy women’s track & field program, but the university itself over her four years in the Circle City. A three-time GLVC Field Athlete of the Week honoree, Hopkins has also been named an Academic All-America recipient, as well as a GLVC Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar on three occasions. During the 2020 league indoor championships, Hopkins claimed first place in the weight throw and runner-up in the shot put. Academically, Hopkins has been on the Dean’s List since her arrival to UIndy (2017-21), while also being affiliated with the following organizations: Pre-Law Student Association President (February 2020-present) and Vice President (January 2019-2020); member of Alpha Chi (February 2020-present); member of Phi Alpha Epsilon (October 2018-present); and Public Relations Director (2017-18) and Secretary (2018-19) for UIndy College Republicans. In addition, Hopkins has been a recipient of the Ronald T. Nelson (2019) and Donald F. Carmony (2020) Scholarships.
Hopkins has volunteered for many on- and off-campus organizations, including: Special Olympics, St. Jude Run, YMCA Rake and Clean, St. Vincent’s ‘Key to the Cure’ Gala, St. Vincent’s ‘Love It! Soiree,’ UIndy Welcome Week (Crimson Crew), and Indiana’s Women’s Prison baby clothing drive. She has also earned a paid internship opportunity with the Marion County Republican Party (2018) and served as the Secretary for the Indianapolis Student Government for the 2018-19 academic year.
Upon graduation from UIndy, Hopkins intends to attend law school, where she will specialize in Family Law and focus on child advocacy. She is currently a Political Science major, with minor in Criminal Justice and Pre-Law.
In order to qualify for consideration, the nominee must graduate by the end of the academic season - or by the end of the summer - of the application year, must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (on a 4.0 grading scale), have competed in a GLVC-sponsored sport for at least two years, and be a member of a team in the year the scholarship is awarded. Each member institution may nominate one male and one female from their respective institution.