Joslyn earns prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
INDIANOLA, Iowa - One of the finest student-athletes to put on a Simpson uniform can add another award to his mantle, one that will help him in his next academic venture.
Recent graduate Louis Joslyn, an Academic All-American soccer player for the Storm, is one of a select few student athletes in the nation to earn an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He is enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Mich. and is pursuing a Ph.D. in bioinformatics.
"I wished to pursue a degree in bioinformatics because it represented the perfect cross-section of my interests - mathematics, computer science and biology," Joslyn said. "I was always drawn toward quantitative science like math, but during my time at Simpson I discovered a love for biology and, particularly, an amazement of all the processes that occur within the body."
The one-time non-renewable scholarships of $7,500 are awarded three times a year corresponding to each sport season (fall, winter and spring). Each sports season there are 29 scholarships available for men and 29 scholarships available for women for use in an accredited graduate program.
Barb Ramos, associate professor of education and faculty representative, took the lead role in nominating Joslyn for the honor.
"Without Barb's help, knowledge and remarkable work on short notice, I would not have attained the scholarship. Her tirelessness and kindness toward a student she barely knew represents the relationship between most students and faculty at Simpson - everyone simply wants to help one another."
The defending midfielder from Baldwin, Kan. graduated summa cum laude with a 3.983 cumulative grade point average while double-majoring in mathematics and computer science. He is the 14th NCAA Postgraduate Scholar in Simpson history, the first since volleyball standout Tiffany Everding in 2007 and the only men's soccer player to earn the distinction.
"Simpson was instrumental in allowing me to develop this passion," Joslyn said. "My advisers suggested that I enroll in a variety of courses. It was through those courses that I discovered this interdisciplinary field. Without the mathematics and computer science professors' suggestion of a broad course base, I would not be in this discipline and I would certainly not be attending graduate school."
Joslyn was a two-time honorable mention all-Iowa Conference performer during his career, leading the Storm's back line with three goals in 2015. A three-year starter for head coach Rick Isaacson, Joslyn - a team captain - scored 14 career goals and started 63 games.
Joslyn's career plans are open at this point, but he said he is considering becoming a professor or entering the biomedical industry.
