Emily Rose and P.J. Wade Earn Academic Accolades

CCSU seniors Emily Rose and P.J. Wade have had successful careers on the court for the Blue Devils' women's basketball team. Both natives of the state of Virginia, Rose and Wade have been roommates since their sophomore year at Central Connecticut. What the pair also has in common is achieving tremendous success in the classroom during their four years in New Britain.

As graduation looms in the near future, Rose and Wade have recently been awarded for their achievements off the court. At the Athletics Senior Banquet on May 11, both players received an academic honor award, just as they have every year at CCSU. On May 13, Rose and Wade were honored at the 2010 Central Connecticut State University Academic Honors Convocation. Wade received accolades for graduating cum laude (with distinction), while Rose earned magna cum laude (with high distinction) honors. Rose also was named the female graduating student-athlete with the highest grade point average at the event.

The two student-athletes have earned many awards for their efforts at CCSU. They have 15 Dean's List honors between them and were both inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Wade is also a member of the Delta Mu Delta Honor Society for business students and was recognized for excellence in international business during her senior year.

Rose has been the recipient of the Excellence in Marketing Award at CCSU for 2009 and 2010. She was also a member of the champion Capsim Team, which is a business simulation game for a management class. The graduating senior was also an Elevator Pitch Finalist in the entrepreneur program.

Rose and Wade played large roles in the turn-around of the women's basketball program during the last two seasons. Two years ago the Blue Devils posted their best-ever finish in Northeast Conference play. They finished second in the league standings and advanced to the NIT Postseason Tournament for the first time in school history.

Three years ago Rose set the school-record for three-pointers in a season with 52, and she finished her career with 93 made three-pointers, tied for fourth all-time in Central's Division I history. Wade was a three-time captain for CCSU and leaves the program playing the most game ever by a Blue Devil, with 120. Her career free throw percentage of 78.6 percent is also third in Central Connecticut annals.