Purnell earns Academic All-District

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. - For the second time this season a Lincoln University student-athlete has earned academic honors from College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Senior cross country/track and field student-athlete Nazirah Purnell (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area (Cheyney)) (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) was named first-team Academic All-District for her athletic and academic prowess. She is just the third Lincoln University student-athlete since the Lions joined NCAA Division II, joining Cedar Davidson (2021) and Tara O'Brien (2012), to earn Academic All-District honors. 

"Nazirah is very deserving of this honor," said Lincoln University Director of Track & Field Roland Whiting. "Nazirah is the epitome of a well-focused student-athlete that accomplishes all tasks and goals she sets her mind on."

In addition to the CoSIDA academic honor, Purnell was recently named the CIAA Woman of the Year nominee. 

Purnell, a Political Science major, earned Dean's List distinction following every semester and graduated Summa Cum Lauder with a 3.92 grade point average. A three-sport student-athlete, she was a two-time All-CIAA honoree in cross country.

She was an extremely active member of the community. Purnell led efforts in which 100 percent of the LU student-athletes were registered to vote in the 2020 elections. She was also a tutor for the school's athletic department. 

Leadership has been a focal point in her service as she held officer roles in organizations such as Attorney General of the Lincoln University Judicial Board, member/chair in the Student Government Association Student Senate, Special Senator of the Pennsylvania Association of State-Related Students, and President of the Thurgood Marshall Law Society to name a few.

She is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma National Scholar-Athlete Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Purnell moves to the Academic All-American ballot and winners will be announced August 11.

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Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU), educates and empowers students to lead their communities and change the world. Lincoln offers a rigorous liberal arts education to a diverse student body of approximately 2,200 men and women in more than 35 undergraduate and graduate programs.