KHQA Feature Story (Nov. 15, 2011)

MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois senior track & field throws athlete Jenna Verity (Schaumburg, Ill./James B. Conant High School) was named a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. Verity, a pre-law/political science major, is the first Rhodes Scholar finalist in the 112-year history of Western Illinois University.

Reserved for the brightest students around the world, the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and most famous academic award available to American college graduates. The scholarship, established in 1902, provides all expenses for two or three years of graduate study at the University of Oxford in England. Thirty-two American men and women are chosen every year as Rhodes Scholars representing the United States.

On track to graduate this May in three years, Verity has compiled a stellar academic record and demonstrated remarkable leadership on campus. She currently owns a 3.94 cumulative grade-point-average has received several academic awards during the last few years.

This past May, Verity received the Ernest J. Codilis, Jr. Pre-Law Scholarship from the Centennial Honors College. Other awards Verity has earned include: the Keith Webb Scholarship, Lulu and Marcy Bodine Scholarship Award, Charles Leonard Scholarship Award, and Presidential Scholarship Award.

Along with her awards and athletic accolades, Verity currently serves as President of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International Pre-Law Chapter. Verity joined the Western Illinois chapter of Habitat for Humanity in Spring 2010 and was voted President earlier this year.

Verity is a member of the Western Illinois University Judicial Board and served as a campaign manager in the recent mock presidential election. She also is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was a Senator-At-Large with the Student Government Association.

During the 2011 outdoor season, Verity set a personal-best in the hammer throw of 156-9 at the Stan Lyons Invitational. She also set a personal best in the weight throw at the 2011 Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships, clearing 49-11.75 feet for ninth place. At the 2011 Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Verity (148-4) finished tenth in the hammer throw.