Huntingdon’s Tyson finds the right mixture between athletics and academics
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the inaugural event.
Division III Week, which began Monday and runs through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, six student-athletes will be featured during the next six days. Huntingdon senior Ginger Tyson is the first featured student-athlete.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Excelling in athletics and academics can be tricky.
But finding the right balance between sports and school wasn't too hard for Huntingdon senior Ginger Tyson. A chemistry major, Tyson has been on the Dean's List of High Honors during six of her seven semesters and was a starter for the women's soccer team for four seasons.
It wasn't always easy, but as graduation approaches, Tyson knows the experience has been worth it.
"The toughest thing was learning how to study," Tyson said with a laugh. "Before I came to Huntingdon, I really didn't have to study that much. It has been challenging, but I'm looking forward to the next level and going to graduate school at Ole Miss."
Tyson plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Last summer, she was chosen for a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program at Southern Miss.
"I was part of a REU program and I worked on a project under a graduate student," Tyson said. "When the project was complete, we presented it in front of the professors and graduate students. It was an awesome experience. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the fields of chemistry and biology."
When she wasn't working hard in the classroom, much of Tyson's time was dedicated to the soccer program. A four-year letterwinner for the Lady Hawks, Tyson started in 66 of 68 games during her college career. She was a three-time team captain, three-time Great South Athletic Conference All-Academic selection and an All-Conference selection as a senior.
"The soccer team became my family," Tyson said. "When I came here, I didn't know anyone. But the girls on this team are the ones who supported me through everything. Watching the program grow and seeing how we progressed as a team was really amazing."
Name: Ginger Tyson
Year: Senior
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Robertsdale, Ala.
Sport: Women's soccer
Athletic accomplishments: Tyson was a four-year letterwinner for Huntingdon and started in 66 of 68 games during the past four seasons. She was a three-time team captain, three time Great South Athletic Conference All-Academic selection and an All-Conference selection as a senior.
Academic achievements: Tyson has been on the Dean's List of High Honors six of the seven semesters she has attended Huntingdon. She has been accepted to graduate school at Ole Miss.
Campus Activities: Tyson is a Huntingdon Ambassador, a member of Phi Eta Sigma and will be a 2012 inductee in Alpha Beta. She is also a 2012 selection to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.