JACKSON - Millsaps College scholar-athletes have once again proved they have what it takes to win both on the field and in the classroom, claiming a third consecutive David M. Halbrook award for the highest student-athlete graduation rate among private colleges in the state of Mississippi.

Boasting a 92 percent graduation rate among student-athletes who exhausted their four years of eligibilty from 2005-08, Millsaps received the award during the 76th Annual Mississippi Association of Colleges and Universities Conference.

Gaining individual recognition for the College were senior football player and three-time Academic All-SCAC selection Sam Herman and senior softball player Jennifer McKinley, a two-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete.

“Our student-athletes come to Millsaps because they love their sport and know they will receive an excellent education,” athletic director Tim Wise said. “This speaks well for the type of scholar-athletes we have here as well as the support they receive from the faculty and coaching staff as they strive for excellence in both facets.”

Millsaps College is a NCAA Division III athletic program and a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, hosting 18 men's and women's varsity sport teams.

Millsaps College has now received the Halbrook Award 19 out of the last 25 years.