Arcadia University’s nearly 350 student-athletes once again proved their prowess in the classroom in the Fall 2013 semester, earning a 3.30 combined grade point average (GPA). Sixteen of 17 varsity programs earned a combined GPA of at least a 3.0, with 13 programs above a 3.20 combined GPA and four programs exceeding 3.40.

A total of 98 Arcadia student-athletes earned a spot on the University’s Dean’s Honor List, which recognizes students with a semester GPA of 3.67 or higher. That group included 35 student-athletes who earned Dean’s Distinguished Honors List distinction for having a semester GPA between 3.90 and 4.0.

The men’s programs were led by the men’s tennis team, which earned a 3.79 combined GPA for the fall 2013 semester, followed by baseball (3.41 combined GPA), and men’s golf (3.35 combined GPA). On the women’s side, the women’s swimming program earned a 3.55 combined GPA, followed by equestrian (3.42 combined GPA) and women’s lacrosse (3.36 combined GPA).

“At Arcadia, excellence is not limited to academic growth of our students, but to their overall growth and development,” said Steve O. Michael, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Arcadia’s student-athletes are exceptional role models. Their success on and off the field represents the eternal qualities of the adage, ‘a sound mind in a sound body,’ and how that positively impacts many areas of one’s life.”

Arcadia now has 15 of its 17 varsity programs with a team cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with 11 programs maintaining a cumulative GPA above 3.20.

The men’s tennis team once again leads the men’s programs with a 3.56 cumulative GPA, with men’s soccer (3.22 cumulative GPA) ranking second and men’s golf (3.20 cumulative GPA) ranking third. The women’s swimming team is also the top women’s program with a 3.49 cumulative GPA, while equestrian (3.35 cumulative GPA) and women’s golf (3.34 cumulative GPA) rank second and third, respectively.

“Arcadia student-athletes have consistently shown the ability to excel both in the classroom and in their competitive sport,” said Director of Athletics Brian Granata. “They continually demonstrate that they are true student-athletes and a tremendous example of what Division III athletics is about. Arcadia is very proud of all their accomplishments.”

Arcadia’s student-athletes were recognized widely during this past term for their academic success. Forty-three members of the field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball programs were named to the Middle Atlantic Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, as well as three Middle Atlantic Conference Academic All-Conference selections in junior Joseph Bertucci (Gibbsboro, N.J.) of the men’s soccer team, junior Kim Canfield (Hillsborough, N.J.) of the women’s soccer team, and junior Morgan Paese (York, Pa.) of the field hockey team. The academic all-conference team teams recognized those student-athletes that excelled both academically and athletically.

Canfield received several additional awards recognizing her outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, including being named The Philadelphia Inquirer Women’s Soccer Academic Performer of the Year and earning a spot on The Philadelphia Inquirer Women’s Soccer Academic All-Area team, which are representative of the 28 NCAA Division I, II, and III colleges and universities in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Canfield was also the first Arcadia student-athlete to be named to the Capital One Division III Academic All-District ® Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II/III Scholar All-East Region Team.