June 20, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern Assistant Director for Academic Services & Director of Student Development Betsi Burns has been honored with the Lan Hewlett Award from the National Association of Academic Advisors in Athletics.

The award, given for outstanding performance as an Academic Advisor for Athletics, is presented to an advisor who, in part, achieves a merited stature among and support from student-athletes, faculty, coaches and fellow administrators in addition to creating an innovative response to the varied and emerging needs of student-athletes. It also recognizes significant contributions and leadership to the field both nationally and within the university.

A 10-year veteran as an Academic Advisor at Northwestern, Burns has an impressive list of accomplishments in that time span. She has instituted the Junior Jumpstart and Senior Transition workshops, implemented the PURPLE Peer Mentoring Program and launched the Career Athlete program that currently has 50 mentors and 150 student-athletes registered with multiple job postings. Burns developed "An Insider's Guide to Northwestern Athletics" and also created Field Day, an event that has brought together student-athletes from all 19 of NU's varsity sports and hundreds of community children for the past nine years.

Burns has done all this while serving as an Academic Advisor to between 100 and 150 student-athletes.

"Our recruiting mail may hold the most telling example of how much Betsi contributes to our program," said head men's basketball coach Bill Carmody. "We include a full-page interview with Betsi in the introductory packet we send to all recruits. Her passion for the well-being of our student-athletes comes through in her words and they are as impressive and advantageous as any listing of NBA alumni or school records. We are proud to use her as a shining example of the complete support our student-athletes get here at Northwestern."

In addition to her academic advising duties, Burns also has advised students-athletes involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), Relay for Life and Special Olympics for the past 10 years.

"Betsi Burns is the type of woman who not only pushes you to excel, but encourages you and inspires you to be a better person," said Carla Wirtschafter of the cross country squad. "She is a constant source of support and everyday, without fail, offers to do anything and everything you need."