UMD Bulldogs "ALLETE" Moments: Classroom

Throughout this year, UMD Athletics is partnering with Minnesota Power, ALLETE to highlight the Bulldogs accomplishments in the 3 C's: Classroom, Competition, Community. 

University of Minnesota Duluth volleyball senior right side hitter Samantha Paulsen  was named a 2024-25 NSIC Women's Honor Student-Athlete Award winner Wednesday.

One of 15 student athletes to earn the honor and an exercise science major with a 4.00 GPA, Paulsen is entering the University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy program this summer after earning the program's "Year-One Scholarship". The scholarship is competitively awarded to incoming students based on academic excellence, potential for high professional contributions, and enhancement of diversity components underrepresented in the physical therapy profession. A NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award winner, and a multi-year winner of D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, Paulsen is a multi-year member of the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence. 

The native of Chisago Lakes, Minn. finished her athletic career as a member of three  NSIC All-Conference teams, a NSIC Player of the Week, tied for 11th most kills in a NSIC contest, and in the top-10 for career hitting percentage in UMD volleyball history. Paulsen was engaged in multiple UMD and community volunteer activities, including membership on the DEI Council, working as an overnight caregiver and companion for elderly individuals, as well as a Volunteer at Essentia Health's inpatient and outpatient physical therapy clinics. 

The NSIC Honor Student-Athlete Award is the result of member institutions of the NSIC nominating one male and one female student-athlete for the Britton and Kelly Awards. The nominees must meet the following criteria: a grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale); evidence of academic excellence beyond the minimum grade point average (scholarship prizes and other academic recognition), evidence of participation in the life of the institution, and evidence of participation in at least two-thirds of the varsity events of the individual's primary sport. The award is voted on by the NSIC Faculty Athletic Representatives.

The 30 student-athletes nominated for the NSIC's two most prestigious awards will also be recognized as NSIC Male and Female Honor Student- Athletes of the Year at their respective institutions. Dierks and Andrews will be recognized Tuesday, July 8 at the NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet in Moorhead, Minn. and will each receive a $3,000 post-graduate scholarship.

About Minnesota Power, ALLETE:

Our bold vision centers on our commitment to climate, customers and communities. We're a clean-energy leader under our EnergyForward strategy, already delivering 50% renewable energy ahead of all other Minnesota utilities. Now we're doubling down on that with a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free energy to customers reliably and affordably by 2050. Learn more at: https://www.mnpower.com/CarbonFreeEnergyVision