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University of Minnesota Athletics
Christenson Semifinalist For Campbell Trophy
9/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Minnesota senior offensive lineman Jon Christenson was named a semifinalist for the 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy today, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) made the announcement this morning.
Christenson, who has ascended from a former walk-on to a team captain, has already graduated with his degree in biochemistry and has a minor in chemistry. He is working on his Master's in public health administration and policy and plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine once he completes his final year of eligibility with the Gophers. Christenson is a three-year letterwinner and has started at both center and guard during his time at Minnesota.
The Minnetonka, Minn., native was one of 135 semifinalists announced today spanning the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA. Christenson, who is Minnesota's only married student-athlete, is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten nominee and a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Christenson also received the team's Butch Nash Award which is given to the Gopher who is the most competitive on the field and in the classroom.
As an undergrad, Christenson conducted cancer research for two years at Minnesota. During that time he conducted research on nanotubes and their prevalence in certain cancer cell lines, and he studied the effects on microRNA on liver cancer through culturing cells, purifying DNA and isolating RNA.
The NFF will announce 15 finalists on Oct. 29, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. At the event, one member of the class will be declared in dramatic fashion the winner of the 26th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
