From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
Every year beginning in 1975, Carnegie Mellon University has honored a select number of undergraduate seniors as Andrew Carnegie Society (ACS) Scholars. This year, three athletes are included on the list of 39 honorees – Kim Hochstedler (Mishawaka, Ind. / Penn) of women’s swimming and diving, Sam Benger (Hingham, Mass. / Hingham) of football, and Cori Sidell (Redwood Shores, Calif. / Carlmont) of women’s tennis.
ACS Scholars are undergraduate seniors who embody Carnegie Mellon's high standards of academic excellence, volunteerism, leadership and involvement in student organizations, athletics or the arts. They are selected each year by their deans and department heads to represent their class in service and leadership.
“Being selected as an ACS Scholar is recognition of students’ excellence across many significant areas of university life,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “We often talk with our student-athletes about the opportunity they have to impact our community, and Kim, Sam and Cori have done so in profound ways.”
The program was launched in 1975, and has recognized nearly 1,000 students to date. Each scholar receives a monetary award - made possible by the generosity of ACS members - to support their academic and personal growth.
Scholars also work together to present a gift back to the university community. Through this opportunity, the students experience the joy of philanthropy firsthand.
Hochstedler is an All-American swimmer who maintains a 4.0 GPA in statistics and psychology. Last year she was named a CoSIDA Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America after participating at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships for the second time and setting the school record in the 200-yard breaststroke.
Benger has set numerous records on the football field for the Tartans and has been named an All-American five times by multiple organizations. As a Tepper School of Business student, Benger maintains a 3.67 GPA as has been named a CoSIDA Academic All-American twice.
Sidell is a social and decision sciences major in the Dietrich College and carries a 3.75 GPA. She has led the Tartan women’s tennis team to the NCAA Championship tournament twice, while participating in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships twice. A two-time All-American on the doubles court, Sidell became the 12th player in Tartan women’s tennis history to record 100 combined wins last weekend at the ITA Southeast Regional tournament.
All three athletes participate in a number of community service-related projects and were heavily involved when the Tartans hosted the Western Pennsylvania Spring Sectionals of the Special Olympics the last two years.