MACON, Ga. – Mercer University held its 12^th annual President’s Dinner with the Student-Athletes on the floor of the University Center on Sunday evening (Aug. 21). The event – hosted by MU President William D. Underwood – welcomed the Bears’ student-athletes back to campus and served as the unofficial kickoff to the 2011-12 athletics season.

A crowd in excess of 300 individuals – consisting of student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff and VIPs – was welcomed by Director of Athletics Jim Cole, Mercer Board of Trustees Chair Diane Owens and Mercer Athletic Foundation President John Collier before President Underwood came to the podium to deliver his remarks to the gathering.

The highlight of the evening was President Underwood’s presentation of the “Presidential Scholastic Award,” honoring the MU athletics team with the highest cumulative grade point average for the previous semester.

For the third consecutive semester, Mercer’s women’s cross country team ran away with the “Presidential Scholastic Award.” Head coach Ryan Bailey’s squad posted a sterling 3.608 g.p.a. as a group in the spring of 2011, earning the prestigious plaque from President Underwood once again.