Four USC Athletes Receive Post-Graduate Scholarships

Pac-12 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott announced the 44 outstanding Pac-12 student-athletes who have been named recipients of Pac-12 Postgraduate Scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year.

Each scholarship, which is worth $3,000, goes to student-athletes with a minimum 3.0 grade point average who have also demonstrated a commitment to continuing education, community and campus involvement, and leadership.

Since the program began in 1999, the Pac-12 has awarded over $1.5 million for postgraduate study.

The selections are made by each respective institution, allowing USC the opportunity to honor four of its finest athletes, following their final year of athletic competition.

USC Postgraduate Award Winners:

Matthew Burton, Water Polo

The four-time national champion played an instrumental role in propelling the Jovan Vavic Water Polo program to new heights, serving as two-time captain. After leading the Trojans to another national championship in a thrilling overtime match with UCLA, Burton was named a Capital One Academic All-America first team selection, the 32nd selection in USC history. Burton posts a 3.69 GPA heading towards a master’s degree in communication management.

Here is a great feature on Burton’s bright future that lies ahead in the postgraduate world.

Melanie Grindle, Rowing

The Trojans rowing captain most recently lead the women’s rowing program to a fourth place finish in this year’s national championship. Grindle earned Conference All-Academic First Team in consecutive seasons 2012-2013 and also Second-Team Honors in 2011 during her time at Southern California. Grindle will now attend Columbia’s Law School this fall following her undergraduate degree, boasting a 3.63 GPA in business administration.

Alex Lendrum, Swimming

Co-captain for the second year in a row, Lendrum was one of the country’s top backstrokers. The 2013 Pac-12’s Men’s Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year was a 2012 Capital One Academic All-America second teamer. Lendrum finished his undergraduate career as the fastest Trojan in the 100y and 200y IM. The biological and biomedical major graduate, he leaves USC with a 3.76 GPA on his prolific path to medical school.

Chelsea Silvers, Water Polo

Senior Chelsea Silves closes out her Trojan playing career as a member of two NCAA championship teams while also compiling a full set of honors as an MPSF All-Academic Scholar-Athlete. The three-time honoree graduates USC with a 3.47 cumulative GPA as a communication major who is also minoring in English. Silvers finished her career with 45 goals, including 17 on this years national championship squad.

Congratulations Trojans on the success on and off the playing field. Your accomplishments will now shine amongst the best in USC and Pac-12 history in and out of the classroom.