INDIANAPOLIS – Two student-athletes from Bethel University were awarded the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for the fall of 2019. Former volleyball star Tina (Hoppe) Dalki and football standout Dawson Brown were among those honored.

The scholarship, which Bethel has received 15 times in total and 13 times over the last 14 years, awards Dalki and Brown $10,000 to apply towards a postgraduate degree.
 
Both award winners graduated with a degree in Biokinetics from Bethel's acclaimed Human Kinetics and Applied Health Science department. The Biokinetics major prepares applied scientists who can address a wide range of health needs related to lifestyle, aging, physical performance, and inactivity.

A December 2018 graduate, Tina (Hoppe) Dalki was a consistent threat on the court playing in 120 career matches for the Royals. The three-time All-MIAC honoree held a .210 career attacking percentage with 1,196 kills. A member of the 2015 Elite Eight squad, she went on to earn All-Region Honorable Mention honors her senior season.
 
Academically, she was a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree and a CoSIDA Google Cloud First Team Academic All-District member in 2018. Logging over 1,300 hours of community service she was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Special Olympics of Minnesota, Bethel Disabilities Awareness Group, Gigi's Playhouse and took mission trips to Nicaragua and Costa Rica. With a minor psychology, biology and community health she is pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy and was supported with a letter of endorsement from faculty member Dr. Leah Jackson.

"Just as our educators strive tirelessly to serve their community, I strive to serve my community members through a love that drives compassionate care and a cycle of continual learning and teaching, all abounding in gratitude for my profession as an occupational therapist." 

Dawson Brown is one of the best defense players in Bethel football history ending his four-year career third in career tackles with 250. The AFCA First Team All-American in 2018 as a safety had a MIAC-leading six interceptions during his senior campaign totaling up to 14 for his career, five of which were returned for touchdowns. Brown is a two-time D3football.com Second Team All-West Region and a three-time First Team All-MIAC honoree.

Academically, he was a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree and a CoSIDA Google Cloud First Team All-District member in 2018. Dawson was involved in many off field volunteer opportunities as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for three years, a mentor at the Quincy House working with at-risk youth, Young Life and Feed My Starving Children. He also was a part of the Honduras Missions Trip planning committee where they helped raise funds to build a water source for a remote village called Que Brada Del Horno. He is pursuing a masters in nursing and was supported with a letter of endorsement from faculty member Dr. Kelly Gibas.

"As a nurse, you have to have the ability to be a servant leader and put the patient's needs and cares at the forefront. Good patient-centered care builds upon the principle of servant leadership. I believe being a college athlete and a science major has prepared me well for the nursing field."

 

Bethel's All-Time NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients

Year	Recipient	Sport
1999	Carrie Ritland	Volleyball
2005	Matt Wassink	Football
2005	Kyle Zimmermann	Men's Basketball
2007	Kirby Carr	Footbal
2008	Nikki Umhoefer	Women's Cross Country
2010	David Benjamin	Football
2012	Gavin Maurer	Football
2012	Nicole Wreidt	Volleyball
2013	Jonathan Mehlhorn	Football
2016	Rachel Parupsky	Women's Basketball
2016	Matthew Berens	Men's Cross Country
2017	Carlee Hoppe	Volleyball
2019	Karl Olsen	Men's Track & Field
2020	Tina (Hoppe) Dalki	Volleyball
2020	Dawson Brown	Football