Blaney Receives Senior Certificate and Deighton Earns Senior Key

May 14, 2020

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Two Willamette University student-athletes have received special senior awards for 2019-20. Emmett Blaney (Sr., DEF, Buffalo, WY/Buffalo HS) from the women's lacrosse team received a Senior Certificate and Hannah Deighton (Sr., D, Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Polytechnic HS) from the women's soccer team was awarded a Senior Key.

Senior Certificates are presented to members of the senior class who have contributed "Service to the Associated Students." Recipients are selected based on their time and effort spent in the name of Willamette, the diversity of their activities, and their impact on other students.

Senior Keys are earned by outstanding members of the senior class who stand out for their meritorious service to the Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU). These are leaders of multiple clubs and are broadly recognized by the student body for their work.

Blaney was honored for a wide range of efforts as a captain on the women's lacrosse team, as well as leadership on the Trans Advocacy Committee and in the Gender Resource and Advocacy Center (GRAC). He also was recognized for leadership as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Nominators commented on Blaney's commitment to adding gender identity options in Workday and Sage/Wise. He helped create a "Trans 101" workshop to educate staff and faculty about the gender identity options and why it was important. He also worked on the committee that created Willamette's first transgender inclusion policy for athletics and campus recreation.

"I have had the privilege of working with Emmett on many of the committees mentioned here," said Leslie Shevlin, associate athletics director and senior woman administrator. "He is always able to add to the conversation with insightful comments and logical action items. Emmett is leaving behind a lasting impact on transgender inclusion across our campus. He was instrumental in the creation of the first Athletic Department's transgender inclusion policy. His efforts will be felt by future Bearcats for a very long time."

Deighton received a Senior Key as a result of her efforts as a women's soccer team captain for two seasons, and a program leader for the Athletics Department Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Action Month. She also was honored for her involvement as an intramural program coordinator and supervisor, Alpha Chi Omega sorority treasurer, and Panhellenic Council vice president of administration.

Those who nominated Deighton noted her many leadership positions and commitment as a positive role model for other students. She managed difficult situations in a fair manner. Her efforts led to excellent results in many areas across campus.

"Hannah really stepped up prevention efforts this year for Bearcat Athletics and for the campus as a whole," Shevlin said. "Her work with sexual assault and domestic violence awareness months brought together what will be a lasting collaboration between Athletics and the Gender Resource Advocacy Center, led by Andrea Hugemeyer. Hannah has reminded us of the importance of having student-athletes as partners in our prevention work. Her efforts will be greatly missed and we thank her for all of her passion and commitment."