March 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 a role model for current and future VU students and student-athletes.

March 2007

Amanda Taylor - Women's Tennis

I chose Vanderbilt ultimately because of the tennis team; I loved the girls, the coaches, the atmosphere and general Vandy feel. I was also drawn to the great academics and beautiful campus in Nashville, which I think is such a great city.

I am looking to enter into corporate philanthropy or other non-profit work. I plan on attending further education after undergrad at Vandy, so that I can manage or run an organization that will really affect change in some community or society for the better.

Vanderbilt is an institution that does not take academics lightly, and in order to succeed I think it's imperative that students take their classes seriously and invest a lot of time in understanding the material. Whenever it becomes too much, I find help, and a lot of great people here have helped me along the way.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I try to manage my schedule by using a planner, which I have to work daily not to lose. I am not overly organized or efficient by nature, so in order to survive I plan a lot, use post-its to remember things, and give thanks for all the good people who help me all the time.

I like to read over my notes on my way to the class, though walking and reading at the same time has proven pretty hazardous over the years. Regrettably, I tend to cram before tests, and will just throw up a little prayer I don't fail.

Philippians 4:6-9 is one of my all time favorites, though recently I heard the quote "A man who won't die for something is not fit to live" from Martin Luther King Jr., and really liked it.

Why Amanda is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .

Through her hard work and dedication, Amanda has quietly become an exceptional Vanderbilt student-athlete. Academically, she is majoring in HOD and Political Science and has excelled in both despite having to compete and travel in the fall and the spring. Athletically, she was named First Team All-SEC last spring and recently earned SEC Player of the Week honors on February 8th. Amanda is an extremely selfless and compassionate individual and one day hopes to work in a non-profit organization that will have a positive impact in society. I look forward to watching Amanda grow, as a student, athlete, and individual, and I am confident she will continue to experience success in all her endeavors. --Shawn Fagan

Austin Williamson - Men's Cross Country

I came to Vanderbilt to broaden my horizons. I wanted to meet people from different backgrounds than my own and experience a culture where I could fit in and yet still learn a few things. Many people think of Vanderbilt as a pretty homogeneous place, but to a kid from Iowa, in befriending people from Texas, New York, California, and Kentucky, I have seen how Vanderbilt students can be just as different as similar. One similarity we share that was also important in my decision to come to Vanderbilt is our competitiveness. Both as a student and as an athlete, Vanderbilt has pushed me to perform to the utmost of my capabilities. The differences from which I can learn and the similarities that will drive me to success in life are the reasons I came here.

My career goals thus far are to study clinical psychology in graduate school to become a practicing clinical psychologist.

Being academically successful at Vanderbilt is a balance of sacrifice, perseverance, and knowing when to relax and have fun. College life offers a multitude of opportunities to spend time doing things much more immediately gratifying than studying. The satisfaction derived from success garnered through hard work can be even more gratifying in the long run -- a principle that can be applied equally well to academics and athletics. Unfortunately, the greatest of achievements often suffer the greatest failures along the way. I’ve found that my most prized accomplishments have been due as much to looking past set backs and enjoying myself as to hard work.

Time management is probably not my strongest point. When I am on top of my work load it is because I have organized my week and set aside enough time for each class. When I don’t organize, though, I end up spending some late nights and some early mornings preparing for tests and papers. Somehow it all seems to get done.

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were.” -- John F. Kennedy

Why Austin is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .

Austin Williamson personifies the term student-athlete. He has consistently performed very well in the classroom with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Austin also had a tremendous fall cross country season, finishing first in the Commodore Invitational and fifth in the Belmont Invite. He was SEC Athlete of the Week for Sept. 26 following his first-place finish at the home meet. Besides being the consummate student-athlete, Austin is so pleasant and fun-loving. It's very hard to not smile when I'm talking to him. He's well-rounded and I have no doubt that he'll be one very sought-after clinical psychologist. --Jamie Teasley

Past Recipients...

January 2005

Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
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