CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — The Penn State Lehigh Valley Athletics Department recently recognized four graduating senior student-athletes: Makayla Brown-Paul, Rebecca Fuehrer, Hesro Johnson and Anaya White.
The celebration, which was held on campus last week, included remarks from Athletic Director Rich Fatzinger and Lehigh Valley Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson. Teammates, coaches, friends and family joined to honor the commitment, dedication and hard work of the senior athletes. PSU-LV’s in-game basketball announcer, Joe Moskal, served as the emcee for the event.
"This past year has been challenging and difficult for all of us," said Rich Fatzinger, director of athletics at PSU-LV. "However, our four senior student athletes stayed focused and determined to reach this milestone. The qualities they possessed to get through this year will be the foundation for their future success."
About the athletes
Makayla Brown-Paul, of Oxon Hill, Maryland, has been one of the most selfless players to wear a PSU-LV uniform. Brown-Paul played in 71 games, compiling a total of 213 points. In each of her seasons, she helped her team qualify for PSUAC playoffs including two appearances in PSUAC Championship games and being a part of the 2018-19 Championship team. For her outstanding teamwork and positive attitude, Brown-Paul has been awarded the John Fritz Sportsmanship award four times. She was named PSUAC All-Academic four times and has been an excellent ambassador for the campus as she was elected to the PSUAC Student-Athlete Advisory Council, served on several Athletic Open House Student panels, was president of the Black Student Union Club and created the Athletes Helping Athletes program. Brown-Paul will graduate from Penn State with a degree in rehabilitation and human services and a minor in psychology, and has hopes to either seek a job in sports psychology, work with at-risk children and/or work with young athletes. She is a graduate of Oxon Hill High School.
Rebecca Fuehrer, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, transferred from Gwynedd Mercy University and has been a member of the women’s volleyball program for two seasons and the women’s basketball program for one season. In basketball, Fuehrer appeared in 28 games and compiled 156 points, including a season-high 20 points in a 107-78 win over Penn State Greater Allegheny. She was a member of the 2018-19 Women’s Basketball Championship team. In Fuehrer’s junior year, she was a middle blocker for the volleyball team, and although never having played before joining the team, picked up the sport very quickly and helped her team to the PSUAC playoffs. Fuehrer was on the Dean’s List and named to the PSUAC All-Academic team every semester while attending PSU-LV. She will graduate from Penn State with a degree in psychology and will be pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology at Immaculata University in the fall. She is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School.
Hesro Johnson, of Prince George's County, Maryland, has been a committed and dedicated member of the PSU-LV men's basketball program for three seasons, transferring from Prairie View A&M and Penn State Dubois. Johnson started in 31 of 46 games in a PSU-LV uniform. He has compiled a total of 443 points and a team-leading 16 points per game and was ranked sixth overall in the PSUAC in scoring his junior season. He was ranked in the top two in statistical leaders for PSU-LV Men's Basketball in FG %, three-point %, FT %, assist per game and steals per game. In his sophomore season, Johnson helped his team gain a spot in the PSUAC playoffs. He has been an amazing ambassador for the PSU-LV campus as he served on numerous Athletic Open House Student-Athlete panels and is a member of the PSUAC SAAC. Johnson was named to PSUAC All-Academic two times. He will graduate from Penn State with a degree in business and has signed a contract to play post-grad overseas for Nottingham Trent University in England next season. Johnson is a graduate of Kings Christian Academy High School.
Anaya White, of Newark, New Jersey, has been an intricate member of the women’s basketball program for four seasons, compiling a win-loss total of 58 wins and 20 losses. She started in 51 of 75 games in a PSU-LV uniform and was one of the teams most versatile players, compiling 525 points and being ranked one of the top rebounders in the PSUAC with 452 rebounds in her career. In each of White’s seasons, she helped her team qualify for the PSUAC playoffs every year, including two appearances in PSUAC Championship games. She helped her team earn the program’s first-ever PSUAC Championship and school best 24 straight wins in her sophomore season. White will graduate from Penn State with a degree in rehabilitation and human services and is exploring several different options after graduation. She is a graduate of Stroudsburg High School.
"Thank you, Makayla, Rebecca, Hesro and Anaya for your hard work and commitment to the PSU-LV campus," said Fatzinger. "Penn State Lehigh Valley wishes you the best!"