(Story taken from the Colorado College website)

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Melanie Auguste, already one of the most decorated student-athletes in the history of Colorado College, earned a fitting conclusion to her four-year career by being named a recipient of a $7,500 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. 

Auguste, who will graduate in May with a degree in economics, plans to attend law school at UCLA.

"It's a great cap to my four years at CC and a great segue into the next part of my life," Auguste said. "I never actually thought I would win the scholarship. It's going to help me out a lot next year." 

To qualify for the scholarship, a student-athlete must have an overall grade-point average of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) and been a member of a varsity team. Recipients also must intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree as a full-time or part-time graduate student.

The one-time, non-renewable grants are awarded annually to students who excel academically and athletically, and who are in their final year of intercollegiate athletics competition. Only 29 scholarships are awarded for both men and women from each sports season (fall, winter and spring). 

"I'm very excited that Mel has received the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship," said Director of Athletics Ken Ralph. "I can think of no more deserving student. It is great to see her hard work and talent rewarded in such a visible way."

Auguste excelled both on and off the court during her four-year career. 

As a senior, she was named a second-team All-American by D3Hoops.com and earned honorable-mention honors from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

Auguste was named the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year after she became the first player ever to lead the league in both scoring (20 points per game) and assists (7 per game). 

Auguste, who owns a 3.74 grade-point average, earned a spot on the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The product of Cameron Park, Calif., also was named recipient of the 2009 Jostens Trophy, which honors a Division III player who excels in the classroom, on the court and in the community.

Auguste finished her career as CC's all-time leader with 607 assists and 243 steals. She also ranks No. 3 with 1,572 points and 100 three-point baskets, and is No. 4 with 815 rebounds. 

Candidates for the Postgraduate Scholarship are nominated by the school's faculty athletics representative and screened by regional selection committees. Recipients then are selected by the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Committee.

"I owe a lot to Liz Campbell, Ken Ralph, Aju Fenn and to Ralph Bertrand, and to everyone who gave me a recommendation," Auguste said. "I can't even express how thankful I am for all the support I have received from everyone at Colorado College." 

Auguste is the second CC student-athlete to receive the scholarship this year, joining football player Billy Blaustein.

For a complete list of NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients, click here.