Student-Athletes of the Month
*The Student-Athletes of the Month are selected on the basis of the all-around student-athlete...effort and excellence in academics, leadership, integrity, dedication to team, campus involvement, community service, and the ability to serve as role models for current and future VU students and student-athletes.
December 2008
Josie Earnest - Bowling
Junior, Major: Human and Organizational Development
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 It offered me a complete package: outstanding academics and a competitive athletic environment.
What are your career goals?
After undergrad, I would possibly like to go to graduate school and see where that takes me. I would somehow like to stay within the sports industry.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
You have to be committed to what you are doing; if you don't like it, you won't be successful. Especially being an athlete, you have to be completely focused to be successful academically and athletically.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
It's all about time management. You have to be able to set the appropriate amount of time aside for your academic demands. It's tough at times, but if you stay on top of all your demands everything works out.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I try to study a few days before the actual test and the night before get a good night's rest.
What are your favorite quotes?
"I've made some, I've missed some. That's not to say I wasn't nervous. That's always going to be there. But Fear? Never.” -Michael Jordan.
“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” -Anonymous
Why Josie is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Josie has excelled both in the sport of bowling and in the classroom. Her athletic career has been stellar since arriving on campus. As a freshman, she earned Second Team All-American honors and was the MVP of the NCAA National Tournament. As a sophomore, she was a First Team All-American and was voted the National Player of the Year. She was also a member of the Junior Team USA where she won four gold medals and one silver. She was just recently named as the 2008 Amateur Female Athlete of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. In the classroom, she has maintained a high level of academic standard by being named to the SEC Honor Roll both as a freshman and as a sophomore. Josie decided to come to Vanderbilt because she wanted to be challenged both in her sport and in the classroom. I nominated her because of her hard work, dedication, and commitment she has made towards reaching her goals, and for the contributions she is making to our great university. -Neal Clark
Cara Giordano - Lacrosse
Senior, Major: Communication Studies
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose Vanderbilt because academically, the school was full of many great opportunities and athletically, the lacrosse program was very genuine and supportive. It was the place where I felt most comfortable with the team and coaches and knew that if I had any sort of injury, I would be well taken care of and would enjoy the school even if I could not play lacrosse.
What are your career goals?
I would like to work in the fashion industry. I'm not 100 percent sure on specifically what I would want to do in that industry, but I would like to try out a few different jobs and see where that takes me.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
To be academically successful at Vanderbilt, it takes a good sense of time management and the ability to make school work your first priority, even if you would rather be doing other activities.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I manage my schedule by only taking on activities or extra things if I know I can give my all to them. Also, it is important for me to plan ahead, especially if we have away games and need to get work in early.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
My ritual before a test is to study as much as I can the night before, get a decent night's rest and wake up early to get a coffee and study some more with a friend. It really helps the information sink in if I look over the material the morning of the test and if I talk out the information with someone else.
What is your favorite quote?
"Life is short, eat dessert first!" -Anonymous
Why Cara is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Cara has quietly put together an impressive career at Vanderbilt. She is a four-year starter at midfield for the Commodores and has earned various All-Conference and All-American honors. This year she has an opportunity to become a four-time All-Conference selection which has only been achieved twice in the program’s history. Cara has improved significantly in the classroom since her arrival and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll last year. During the 2007 summer she studied abroad in Australia where she explored the Great Barrier Reef as well as participated in the restoration efforts of Australia’s rainforest. I wish Cara the best in her last season at Vanderbilt. -Shawn Fagan
Past Recipients...
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005
Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
Department of Student Athletics | 2601 Jess Neely Drive | Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 343-0444 |
