Jill Anderson Named RIAIAW Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year

May 9, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Jill Anderson, a senior on the University of Rhode Island's softball team, was honored as the 2008 Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women's (RIAIAW) Distinguished Student-Athlete of the Year in an awards ceremony held on Wednesday, May 7 at Providence College.

She has maintained a 3.78 grade-point average as a political science major/philosophy minor. During her time at Rhode Island, Anderson has served as a member of the Peer Advocate Program, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), URI Athletic Dept. Life Skills Advisory Board, Mentor/Tutor Internship Program as well as the Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman) and Chi Alpha Sigma (NCAA) honor societies.

Anderson also served as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as well as the Gilda's Club Cancer Foundation and has been involved with numerous campus-wide workshops and programs designed to educate and increase awareness regarding sexual assault, domestic violence and drug/alcohol-related issues.

Earlier this year, on April 8, Anderson was honored with URI's 2008 Rainville Student Leadership Award. Among the most prestigious awards at URI, the Rainville Awards serve to recognize, encourage, and celebrate student leadership in the campus community. The award is named in memory of A. Robert Rainville '64, students' friend and mentor, Vice President for Student Affairs 1980-86.

In addition to the Distinguished Student-Athlete award, the RIAIAW also honored longtime Rhode Island administrator Lauren Anderson with the Lifetime Achievement award. Fittingly, it was also announced that the award will be named the Lauren Anderson Award for those who receive it in the future.