Behan Earns Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State's Riley Behan, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree, has added to her list of academic accomplishments by earning the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship. Behan, who will graduate from Iowa State with a degree in materials engineering, will receive $9,000 toward post-graduate education.

Behan is one of just 20 student-athletes from around the Big 12 to earn the honor. The senior, who was a two-time team captain for the Cyclone soccer team, concluded her playing career in 2018. The native of Davenport, Iowa appeared in just one game as a senior due to an injury, but was an inspirational leader throughout the year, earning the starting nod on senior night in Iowa State's 1-0 win over Kansas State.

The scholarships are named in honor of the late Dr. Prentice Gautt, a former Big 12 Conference staff member and student services' pioneer who passed away in March 2005. The list of all-time recipients has grown to 421 since the inception of the league in 1996-97. Starting in 2002-03, additional funding increased scholarship award winners to two per member institution.

To date the Big 12 has provided over $3.1 million for postgraduate education. The individual grants began at $2,500 in 1996-97, were raised to $5,000 in 1999 and increased to $6,900 for 2004-05. The awards climbed to $7,500 in 2006-07, moved to $9,000 in 2011-12 and are now at $10,000 since 2013-14.

Criteria for the awards includes a cumulative grade point average of 3.200 on a 4.000 scale, participation in at least two years of intercollegiate athletics at the nominee's respective institution and completion of athletics' eligibility. The student-athletes also must graduate from their respective member institutions within 15 months of their selection for a postgraduate scholarship and are expected to enroll in graduate/professional schools within two years of graduation. Three faculty representatives, one senior woman administrator and one director of athletics form the selection panel for the awards.