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WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Wellesley College field hockey senior Nathalie Gruet (Acton, Mass.) was named the 2015 recipient of the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer ‘49 Award at the annual Wellesley College Scholar-Athlete Awards Celebration, held at Tishman Commons on Thursday May, 7, 2015. A two-time All-American, Gruet was also named the recipient of the 2015 Outstanding Senior Athlete Award.

The Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer ‘49 Award is named in honor of the long-time supporter of Wellesley College, Friends of Athletics and Wellesley’s Scholar-Athletes. Among her many contributions to Wellesley College, Hauptfuhrer was President of her Class, served as a Trustee and as President of the Alumnae Association. She also left her legacy on the Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics department by establishing and endowing the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Physical Education Fund in 1973 “to enable Wellesley students to participate in intercollegiate athletic events.”  Her gift gift graciously supports Wellesley athletes in all post-season play. In addition, she also endowed the Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Scholar-Athlete Award, given annually to a senior who emulates the characteristics of a true scholar-athlete, which were so ably embodied by Barbara herself.

Gruet was chosen as the recipient of the award after being nominated alongside two other outstanding members of the Class of 2015, cross country and track scholar-athlete Taylor Bickford and Softball scholar-athlete Emilyrose Havrilla. Bickford, An Art History and Chinese Language and Culture Double Major, has earned New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference honors in both track and field and cross country. Earlier this year she was Wellesley’s top finisher at 2014 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, as the Blue made their first team appearance at the event since 1986. Havrilla, the 2014 NEWMAC Softball Athlete of the Year, helped lead Wellesley to back-to-back NEWMAC Tournament Championships and appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and 2015.

A two-time NEWMAC and Regional Player of the Year, Gruet amassed 63 goals and 21 assists for the Blue, scoring 18 game-winning goals in 83 career games and becoming the first Wellesley field hockey player to ever earn New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Player of the Year honors in back-to-back years. Gruet was also named All-Region and All-Conference for four consecutive years, including three consecutive years on the All-Region first team. Gruet started her career as NEWMAC Rookie of the Year in 2011 and ended it with an appearance in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Senior All-Star Game in 2014. An Economics and Political Science Double Major, Gruet was also selected by the DIII Collegiate Women Sports Awards as the 2015 DIII Woman of the Year Nominee for the sport of field hockey. She will also serve as Wellesley’s nomination for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

Friends of Wellesley Athletics presented a pair of awards on the evening, including the Linda K. Vaughan Award, named in honor of the long-time Director of the Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics (PERA) department, to Ann Batchelder. The esteemed PERA faculty emerita was presented with the honor for her relentless passion in support of Wellesley’s accomplishments in recreational and competitive athletics. Ann’s leadership exemplifies Vaughan’s belief that the way we play the game and the way we live our lives is more important than the final score. A long-time advocate for physical education, recreation and athletics, Batschelder has also been a supporter of Friends of Wellesley Athletics since its inception in 1987. She established a charitable remainder trust and a gift annuity at Wellesley for Friends of Athletics and most recently became one of six Founding members of the Friends of Athletics Blue Pride Leadership Group, a new initiative to support training trips and educational programs for student-athletes.

In addition, PERA Office Coordinator Tina Furdon and George Reebe, Head of Wellesley's Motor Pool, each received the Friend of Athletics Honor Award, given to those individuals who have rendered outstanding service and support to athletics and recreation at the College. One of the college’s longest tenured employees, Reebe will will be retiring following the academic year after 45 years at Wellesley College. Furdon was also recognized for her five years of service with the PERA Department, while head crew coach Tessa Spillane and head lacrosse coach Julia McPhee were recognized for their ten years with the department.

Maura Sticco-Ivins (Framingham, Mass.) of the Wellesley College swimming & Diving team was presented with the 2015 Rookie of the Year Award. Sticco-Ivins enjoyed an unparalleled rookie season, capturing the 1 and 3-meter titles at the Seven Sisters Championships, NEWMAC Championships and NCAA Regional Championships before becoming the third National Champion in Wellesley College history by winning the 3-Meter Diving National Championship. Sticco-Ivins was named an All-American on both boards and the Division III National Diver of the Year after also finishing as the national runner-up in the 1-meter national championship.

In an emotional presentation, sophomore Catherine Anderson (Andover, Mass.) of the field hockey program was presented with the newly renamed Joy Renjilian-Burgy Inspirational Award. After battling with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Anderson made a return to class and to the field hockey team. The award was named for Associate Professor of Spanish & Latin American Studies and our NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative Joy Renjilian-Burgy, whose own battle with cancer has become an inspiration for all at Wellesley to work hard, fight hard and live each day to the fullest. Renjilian-Burgy was on hand for the evening and presented the award alongside head field hockey coach Julia King.

Other awards presented on the evening included the department’s Most Outstanding Contribution Award, given annually to the student who has made significant and positive contribution to the PERA department as demonstrated by her vital involvement. Senior Tiffany Chen (Wayland, Mass.) of the swimming & diving program and junior Chelsi Scott (Portland, Mich.) of the basketball team were both presented with the honor this year. Chen was honored for her instrumental role as leader of the Wellesley Athlete Mentor Program for two years, and Scott for her significant involvement in numerous areas including the Keohane Sports Center Front Desk and with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Juniors Alex Berman (Tucson, Ariz.) of the basketball team and crew’s Olivia Thayer (Springfield, Vt.) were both awarded the PERA Director’s Award, given to students who have made significant and positive contributions to the athletic program, demonstrated by vital involvement in either sports information, event management, recreation or athletic training. Berman was recognized for her role as a photographer for the sports information, while Thayer was honored for her considerable role in recreation as the head lifeguard and scheduler for the aquatics program.

The final award of the evening went to the Field Hockey team as they were presented with the most coveted team honor, the Blue Pride Award. The award is given annually to one team in the department that supports other teams at their competitions, shows genuine interest in other teams’ successes, demonstrates the best of Wellesley Blue’s values through positive sportsmanship, conveys spirit and enthusiasm about their team and sport and actively participates in SAAC.

Wellesley Athletics supports the mission of the College by serving as an integral part of the overall educational experience. Through competitive intercollegiate athletics, students strive to achieve their potential while learning the value of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and a sense of obligation to, and responsibility for, others. Consistent with Wellesley’s national reputation, the program’s focus is excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels.

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2014-15 Wellesley College Athletics Department Award Winners:

Barbara Barnes Hauptfuhrer Scholar-Athlete Award Winner: Nathalie Gruet '15 (Field Hockey)
Hauptfuhrer Award Finalists: Taylor Bickford '15 (Cross Country/Track & Field), Nathalie Gruet '15 (Field Hockey), Emilyrose Havrilla '15 (Softball)

Friends of Athletics Recognitions:
Honor Award: Tina Furdon
Linda K. Vaughan Award for Exceptional Service: Ann Batchelder 

Outstanding Senior Athlete Award: Nathalie Gruet '15 (Field Hockey)
Joy Renjilian-Burgy Inspirational Award: Catherine Anderson '17 (Field Hockey)
Rookie of the Year: Maura Sticco-Ivins '18 (Swimming & Diving)
Most Outstanding Contribution Award: Tiffany Chen '15 (Swimming & Diving) and Chelsi Scott '16 (Basketball)
PERA Director’s Award: Alex Berman '16 (Basketball) and Olivia Thayer '16 (Crew)

Blue Pride Award: Field Hockey

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