June 15, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. - Wesley Curles, a spring 2018 Honors College graduate with a degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn University's College of Sciences and Mathematics, has been awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
Having graduated in the spring of 2018 with a perfect 4.0 overall grade-point-average, Wesley not only excelled in the classroom but in the lab where he completed research investigating the link between Alzheimer's disease and Type 2 diabetes; he was a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All American; a member of the Southeastern Conference Honor Roll; an Academic Top Tiger; the College of Sciences and Mathematics Freshman and Sophomore Award Winner; a member of the Dean's List throughout his time at Auburn, and, for the past two-and-a-half years he has served as a mentor with "Big Brothers Big Sisters of America."
A four-year member of Auburn University's track and field team, Curles was selected twice by his teammates to captain the 2016 and 2017 squads.
"Wesley Curles has been an exemplary student-athlete in the classroom, on the track and in the community during his Auburn career," Director of Athletics Allen Greene said. "His accomplishments are lengthy and wide ranging, and to be selected as an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient is an extremely impressive and well-deserved honor. Wesley has a very bright future and will making a lasting impact on society."
In addition to his selection as NCAA Postgraduate Scholar, Wesley was recognized earlier this year at the SEC Spring Meetings in Sandestin, Florida, as the men's 2017-18 SEC Brad C. Davis Community Service Award recipient. Further, he was the male recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award presented by Auburn University president Dr. Steven Leath at the Spring Awards Luncheon, he was named the Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding Senior, and he was selected as the 2017-18 male Scholar Athlete of the Year at the Spring 2018 Auburn Athletics Banquet. He was also a Rhodes Scholarship nominee in the fall.
Wesley plans to pursue medical school at The University of Alabama-Birmingham next month.
Established in 1964, to promote and encourage graduate education, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship selection criteria include academic performance as measured by overall grade-point-average; having performed with distinction as a member of the varsity team in their respective sport; active involvement in institutional and community service, and serving as a role model and student leader.
Wesley is Auburn's 11th NCAA Postgraduate Scholar to be named since the spring of 2011, joining swimming's Natasha Lloyd and Zoe Thatcher this semester, and the second scholar-athlete to be recognized this academic year by the NCAA following Kasey Cooper's finalist selection for the Walter Byers Award.