UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the fourth consecutive year, Penn State student-athletes have broken the school record for the number of students with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher during the spring semester, punctuating an outstanding and record-breaking 2015-16 academic year.A record 482 Nittany Lion student-athletes earned at least a 3.0 GPA during the most recent semester, to break the spring mark of 474 high achievers set in 2015. The number of student-athletes posting at least a 3.0 GPA during the spring semester has increased 26.6 percent the past six years from the total of 354 in 2011.Among the 482 student-athletes earning at least a 3.0 GPA, a spring-semester-high 224 garnered dean’s list honors by posting a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The number of student-athletes posting at least a 3.5 GPA during the spring semester has increased 26.3 percent the past six years from the total of 165 in 2011. The previous dean’s list spring school mark was 221 in 2015. A minimum of 12 credits are required for dean’s list recognition.The 482 student-athletes posting at least a 3.0 GPA represent 62.3 percent of Penn State’s 773 student-athletes enrolled during the spring semester. The 224 total students earning dean’s list recognition represented 28.9 percent of the Nittany Lion student-athletes enrolled in the most recent semester.The combined average GPA was 3.10 among Penn State’s 31 varsity sports this past spring. The efforts of the student-athletes resulted in 22 teams earning a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher, tied for the second highest in school history.
Penn State student-athletes have eclipsed their semester 3.0 GPA records during each of the past fall and spring semesters. Last fall, an overall school record 516 Nittany Lion student-athletes earned at least a 3.0 GPA, to break the mark of 500 high achievers set in 2014.“This outstanding academic performance is a tribute to the efforts our talented and highly motivated student-athletes as they pursue their academic dreams, the priority placed on academic achievement by our coaches, and the support they receive from our dedicated Morgan Academic Center staff, faculty and administration,” said Sandy Barbour, director of athletics. “We are striving every day to provide conditions for our student-athletes to develop as well-rounded and educated citizens who will be engaged in their communities as well as after their graduation.”Student-athletes with 3.0 GPA, spring semester, 2011-16 (+26.6 percent):
Spring 2016 — 482 (record)Spring 2015 — 474 Spring 2014 — 461 Spring 2013 — 450 Spring 2012 — 391 Spring 2011 — 354
Student-athletes earning dean’s list honors; spring semester, 2011-16 (+26.3 percent):
Spring 2016 — 224 (record)Spring 2015 — 221Spring 2014 — 205Spring 2013 — 189Spring 2012 — 172Spring 2011 — 165