Randolph-MacOn College issued the following announcement on March 8
Jace DePriest ’22 (Biology major) broke his leg during his sophomore year at Varina High School. The injury turned out to be only a blip in the football career of the defensive tackle, who this year was named the Lou Wacker Defensive Player of the Year as well as the ODAC/ Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete. It did, however, leave a lasting impact on his plans for the future.
“The physical therapist who helped me rehab my leg was so helpful leading me through what I needed to do to heal. After that experience, I wanted to help other people recover from their injuries and resume their daily activities,” DePriest said.
DePriest is laying the groundwork for a career in physical therapy in R-MC’s Biology program, where he has made a name for himself. He is the 2021-2022 recipient of the Stephen Watts Scholarship for Biology, an annual award recognizing a student or students who have distinguished themselves through personal achievement and who show great promise for future endeavors in the field of biology. DePriest said he was unaware of the scholarship until he received it, after which he immediately called his mother to celebrate.
“I can’t express how blessed I am to receive this award,” DePriest said of the Watts Scholarship, established in 1953 through the estate of Dr. Stephen H. Watts, Class of 1896 and professor of surgery at the University of Virginia Medical School from 1907 to 1928.
DePriest originally applied to Randolph-Macon because of the College’s strong focus on academics and alumni involvement. The prospect of playing football under head coach Pedro Arruza sealed the deal. He says he’s made “way too many great memories to count” as a member of the football team, especially battling through the first pandemic season to win the ODAC title.
“I’ll never forget the commitment it took for our team to overcome the adverse circumstances of the pandemic and win the championship,” DePriest said.
The four-time ODAC All-Academic Team honoree was named Academic All-District this year by the College Sports Information Directors of America, and is now eligible for Academic All-America consideration. He has earned Dean’s List every semester at R-MC in addition to winning the C. Lydon Harrell Freshman Award, the Douglas W. Foard Phi Beta Kappa Sophomore Award, the R-MC Chinese Language Award, and the T. McNider Simpson Scholarship. DePriest also co-chairs R-MC’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee community service initiative and is the treasurer of For Women, a student organization dedicated to creating a safe space for all genders on campus.
“I’d like to thank everyone who plays a part in making these scholarships available to students like me,” DePriest said. “Without them, I don’t know if I would be here today.”
Original source can be found here.
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