Senior Bridget Franek has been named the 2010 recipient of the Eric A. Walker Award, presented annually to the student who has contributed most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities. Walker was president of Penn State from 1956 to 1970.
A kinesiology/movement science major with a 3.4 GPA, Franek is a seven-time NCAA All-American in cross country/track and field and was named Big Ten Athlete of the Year while leading her team to the Big Ten Cross Country Championship last year. During her 10 seasons as a Nittany Lion, she qualified for 10 NCAA competitions. In 2009, she represented the United States at the IAAF World Championships World Championships.
Franek is a graduate of Crestwood High School in Mantua, Ohio. While at Penn State, her volunteer activities have included mentoring high school athletes at the University's track and field camp and serving as her team's representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Board. She earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors each season of her career and was voted team captain in both cross country and track and field during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.