Bridgewater College Student-Athletes Win Prestigious BACCHUS Award

BRIDGEWATER, Va. – A group of Bridgewater College student-athletes dedicated to promoting a safer, healthier campus environment has won one of only five national awards for its education of high-risk students about alcohol and making responsible decisions in the presence of alcohol.
STEP UP of Bridgewater College was presented the Outstanding Peer Education Group award from Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students (BACCHUS), a student organization founded in 1975 at the University of Florida. BACCHUS operates under the auspices of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
The award, which was given to the Bridgewater group for its work during the 2016-17 academic year, acknowledged STEP UP Bridgewater’s creativity and overall effectiveness in campus awareness and education. The vision of STEP UP Bridgewater is to see fewer incidents of negative consequences associated with consuming alcohol.
 
The STEP UP team is composed of 18 student-athletes:
 
Current student-athletes include:
 
Erica Blubaugh, a senior English major, who is member of the women’s lacrosse team, from Pasadena, Md.;
 
Laura Gretz, a junior computer science major, who is a member of the field hockey team, from Elkridge, Md.;
 
Mikalia Guard, a junior health and exercise science major, who is a member of the softball team, from Linden, N.C.;
 
Jenna Hamra, a junior health and exercise science major, who is a member of the volleyball team, from Williamsburg, Va.;
 
Brett Jones, a junior business administration major, who is a member of the baseball team, from North Chesterfield, Va.;
 
Amanda Kelley, a junior communication, technology and culture major, who is a member of the women’s golf team, from Newport News, Va.;
 
Lizzy Parker, a senior family and consumer sciences major, who is a member of the field hockey team, from Darnestown, Md.;
 
Samantha Van Winter, a senior business administration and political science double major, who is a member of the equestrian team, from Newnan, Ga.;
 
Benjamin Vayer, a senior business administration major, who is a member of the men’s lacrosse team, from Rockville, Md.; and
 
Roger P. White, a junior biology major, who is a member of the football team, from Silver Spring, Md.
 
The following student-athletes graduated in May 2017:
 
Darin Council, who was a member of the track and field team, from Stafford, Va.;
 
Mark Davis, who was a member of the men’s soccer team, from Henrico, Va.;
 
Tim Dougan, who was a member of the men’s basketball team, from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada;
 
David Hardesty Jr., who was a member of the football team, from Berryville, Va.;
 
Kaitlan Parker, who was a member of the equestrian team, from Rutherfordton, N.C.;
 
Shannon Strosser, who was a member of the field hockey team, from Dover, Del.;
 
Christopher Voorhees, who was a member of the men’s lacrosse team, from Brookeville, Md.; and
 
Joshua Yagel, who was a member of the football team, from Olney, Md.
 
“These students are making a point to step up for alcohol prevention and bystander intervention in a way that positively impacts our college community,” said Dr. Barbara H. Long, an associate professor of Health and Human Sciences and Professional Studies division head. “I look forward to seeing what they will do in their own communities as they graduate and move into their careers. This program embodies the positive community atmosphere that we intend for Bridgewater College, people helping people.”
Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state's first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduate students.