Marquette University Athletics
April Blue & Gold Status Award Winners
4/6/2018 12:00:00 AM | Academics and Student Programs
Each year at Marquette University, hundreds of student-athletes compete at the highest level for their respective sport. While the majority of people will notice their on-field accomplishments, often the individuals' efforts off the field remain un-publicized.
One of the many groups at Marquette University that is dedicated to assist and honor Marquette student-athletes is the Academic Support Staff. Beginning in September and running through April, the Academic Support Staff will pick four student-athletes that consistently excelled academically, athletically and in the community.
The final four members of the Blue & Gold Status award for the 2017-2018 academic year are Sandra Dahling (women's basketball), Darian Powell (women's soccer), Caitlin McGauley (women's cross country and track & field), and Markus Howard (men's basketball).
Sandra is a junior on the women's basketball team. She volunteered at the Wisconsin Humane Society once a week as a dog walker for the entire Spring 2018 semester. She took dogs out for walks, played with them and socialized them, along with whatever else they may have needed. She started doing this because she really missed being around animals and liked what the WHS stood for. The Wisconsin Humane Society is located just past the western border of campus, and Sandra's participation helps tie Marquette athletics and the university to their surrounding community. In turn, clients visiting the Humane Society to perhaps adopt a pet see a Marquette student-athlete in a role of care and compassion, and thereby Sandra's volunteering helps define how Marquette is part of the neighborhood.
Darian is a 6th year senior on the women's soccer team. She persevered through some injuries during her career at Marquette, which allowed her to play and stay at Marquette for 6 years. During this time period, she took the opportunity to get her Masters in School Counseling. During the Master's program in School Counseling she did over 700 hours of working in the school system, more than what was required for her degree. She worked at a number of the schools in the area, while focusing on her counseling and teaching skills. She worked with students and cases around depression, suicide, careers, self-esteem, self-advocacy and more, providing needed services to young students and raising the profile of mental health and wellness among school-age children.
Caitlin McGauley is a sophomore on the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. For the last four summers, Caitie has worked as a camp counselor at Camp Courage, a Muscular Dystrophy Association camp in Minnesota. There, she is paired with a child as a skilled caregiver, helping with eating, clothing, toileting, and the child's participation in camp. Caitie has been paired with the same camper for the last three years. Even though her camper is wheelchair-bound, Caitie's help has made it possible for her to enjoy zip lining, swimming, playing capture-the-flag, and much more. Caitie worked to be certified as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in order to best serve children at the camp, and provide continuum of care 24/7 for her camper. Caitie volunteers her time at Camp Courage, as do all the camp counselors and medical professionals, in order for campers to attend for no charge.
Markus Howard is a sophomore on the Men's Basketball team. He has served as SAAC representative for his team, and participated in the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) leadership development program. Markus has been named to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Oversight Committee, which ensures that appropriate oversight of men's basketball is maintained, while enhancing the development and public perception of the sport. The committee also makes recommendations related to regular-season and postseason men's basketball. The committee will prioritize enhancement of the student-athlete educational experience (academically and athletically), and in doing so, promote student-athletes' personal growth and leadership development. Markus is an important voice and perspective at the table for these discussions, representing not just Marquette, but the Big East and all of his peers in his sport, at a national level.
Continue to check GoMarquette.com starting next academic year (September 2018) as the Academic Support Staff honors new student-athletes into the Blue & Gold Status.
