Tenley Grant Awarded Postgraduate Scholarship

SALEM, Ore. — Willamette University is proud to announce that track and field standout Tenley Grant BA'25 has been named a recipient of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Grant, a record-setting thrower and a tireless advocate for diverse representation in sports, is one of only 126 student-athletes nationwide to receive this $10,000 award for the 2025-26 academic year.

The NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship is a one-time grant awarded to student-athletes who excel academically and athletically while demonstrating significant leadership and community service. Grant becomes the 15th Bearcat to receive this honor, joining an elite group of Willamette alumni recognized for their dual excellence.

A Record-Breaking Legacy

On the field, Grant established herself as one of the premier throwers in the West Region. Her athletic highlights include:

• School Record Holder: Set the Willamette program record in the Hammer Throw with a mark of 51.00m (167' 3.75") in 2025.

• All-Region Honors: Earned three USTFCCCA All-Region selections (2024, 2025 in Hammer and Shot Put).

• Conference Excellence: A First-Team All-Northwest Conference performer, Grant also ranks 3rd all-time at Willamette in the Shot Put (12.87m).

Champion for Inclusion and Mental Health

Beyond the throwing circle, Grant's impact on intercollegiate athletics has been felt nationwide. A Public Health major from Longview, Washington, she has dedicated her collegiate career to building a more inclusive sporting environment.

As the Co-President of Willamette's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and President of the Northwest Conference SAAC, Grant worked to amplify student voices. Her leadership extended to the national stage as a participant in the NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program, where she focused on developing a pipeline for ethnic minority candidates in athletic administration. On campus, she founded the Association of Student-Athletes of Color and served as a JED student representative to reduce the stigma surrounding student-athlete mental health.

"Willamette encourages connection and collaboration that help shape you into the person who can take the lead," said Grant. "To make the change that I want to make in my community, I must work with others. Working with others to build a better tomorrow is how you create change."

The Next Chapter

Grant will utilize the $10,000 scholarship to pursue a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership at the University of Washington. Her goal is to continue building opportunities for student-athletes of color and young women in sports.

"Tenley is a wonderful example of what Bearcat student-athletes can achieve," said Director of Athletics Leslie Shevlin. "She found her passion in athletics and in academics while here at Willamette. That passion, and her drive to serve others, have helped her achieve this accomplishment of the NCAA Post-Graduate Internship program." "Our Bearcat community is so proud of her, and I am looking forward to seeing her continued growth in the future."