BATON ROUGE — Two LSU student-athletes were recently named to the prestigious Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities honors program.
Seniors Jordan Faircloth and Lauren Companioni were two of 21 students from Louisiana State University selected by representatives from the faculty, administration and student body.
A pitcher on the nationally ranked Tiger baseball team, Faircloth was one of two Southeastern Conference athletes to be awarded the league’s community service post graduate scholarship. He has spoken to children at local elementary schools about the importance of staying in school and the key role of teamwork in succeeding, while volunteering at the St. Aloysius School Fair in Baton Rouge. In addition, he has served food at a homeless shelter and been active in Habitat for Humanity, building homes for needy families.
A political science and business administration major, the Alexandria, La., native has been a five-time member of the Dean’s List and was the recipient of the Director’s Cup at LSU, given to athletes for high academic performance. He has also served as an umpire at little league games and taught baseball at youth clinics. He has been active in registering voters among LSU baseball players and been a tutor for his teammates in political science, biology and English.
Last season, he appeared in a team-best 26 games, all in relief, posting a 303 mark with a 2.79 ERA with 13 walks and 41 strikeouts. This year, he is 1-1 on the year with four saves in 15 relief appearances. He has posted an 0.93 ERA with seven walks and 14 strikeouts in 19.1 innings.
A member of the nationally ranked women’s gymnastics team, Companioni was a member of the 2005 Southeastern Conference Good Works team. A member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, she has spoken at local elementary and high schools about the importance of time management and academics. In addition, she has participated in the Alzheimer’s Services Capital Area “Walk/Run to Remember”, Steve Hood’s Total Dance Experience, a fundraiser benefiting St. Jude Foundation, and visited the pediatric ward at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Hospital.
A three-time Academic All-American, Companion is also a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. The psychology major was the 2003 Mortar Board Scholar-Athlete of the Year and carries over a 3.90 cumulative grade point average.
A 2002 All-American on the floor exercise, the Tampa, Fla., native competed on the balance beam and the floor for the Tigers in 2005. At Texas Women’s she scored a 9.900 on the floor to finish in a three-way tie for first. She also notched a 9.875 on the floor at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship to help LSU advance to the NCAA Championships.
Who’s Who Among Students is one of the most highly regarded and long-standing honors programs in the nation, having earned the overwhelming respect of college faculties and administrators. Selection is made each fall by the individual schools. The nominating procedure highlights the students’ individual and diverse service. The students who are selected for this honor enhance the positive image of American youth through their contributions to community and school.