Shepherd University junior and East Hardy High School alum Ricky Robinson was one of four student-athletes and 46 overall students from a baker’s dozen majors to be selected as McMurran Scholars which is the most prestigious honor society at the institution as a virtual ceremony was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The McMurran Scholar is the highest academic honor bestowed at Shepherd University and was named after Shepherd College principal Joseph McMurran who served as an integral founding member from 1872-1882 and the award was created in 1861 by original honors committee members Professor Kenneth Riley, Librarian John Maine and Dean of Students O.L. Harry.
“I am extremely honored to receive the McMurran Scholar award, because it is the highest honor that is honored by Shepherd University,” Shepherd University junior Ricky Robinson noted.
“I’m very blessed to have received this award while also being a full-time student athlete. Also, I want to emphasize the appreciation for all the support from friends, family, and coaches. I especially want to thank my mother, siblings, and grandmother for their infinite amount of support. All glory to God.”
A candidate for the McMurran Scholar award must maintain a 3.86 grade point average, have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours, studied two consecutive semesters at Shepherd and be nominated by a trio of faculty members before being approved by the faculty at large.
Robinson, a Mathias, W.Va. resident, was one of two Business Administration majors to achieve this status along with fellow junior classmate Tiffany Warnick of Grantsville, Md.
Robinson currently holds a 3.9 cumulative GPA having received one B during his freshman season at Shepherd University.
This academic year has been full of challenging courses within his major of Business Administration including sports related curriculum.
During the fall semester, Robinson was enrolled in finance, business strategy and policy, business law, coaching internship and coaching management.
This semester’s course load includes international economics, managerial economics, kinesiology (health and weight room fitness), inclusive recreation and business writing capstone.
As one of the Shepherd Rams Football defensive linemen, Robinson joined three other student-athletes to receive the McMurran Scholar award along with Women’s Soccer junior defender Katherine Eddy (health promotion and exercise science major) and junior midfielder Emma Bernardoni (secondary education major) plus Softball shortstop Ashley Burger (health promotion and exercise science major).
Robinson started in all 13 games for the Rams this past season finishing third on the team in tackles with 48 (26 solos) with eight tackles-for-loss (-27 yards) and two sacks (-12 yards) in addition to creating a pair of forced fumbles.
Robinson was recognized for his classroom excellence off the field by the College Sports Information Directors of America earning selection to the first team CoSIDA Academic All-American team in December.
A normal day during the football season for Robinson was described as follows: “A typical football season’s day includes waking up at 6:00 a.m. for weights, then class at 9:00 (no time to shower) then lunch and shower, position meeting at noon. Class after the meeting, then practice at 3:00 p.m. Usually get done with practice sometime around 6:30. I get back to my room around 7:00, then do homework. Eat, sleep and repeat.”
This past summer Robinson completed a management internship for JBS USA at Pilgrim’s Pride.
“I don’t know if I am interested in starting my own business however; I do look forward to landing a nice job one day at a successful company where I’m happy,” Robinson concluded.
Robinson is an extremely smart student-athlete with a bright future awaiting after graduation and a worthy recipient of the McMurran Scholar award.