Ball State University May 2022 graduate Alexa McDonald, of Hilliard, Ohio, has been awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in recognition of her accomplishments in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and community service. A member of Ball State’s Swimming and Diving team from 2018-2022, Ms. McDonald was one of only 21 female Spring sport athletes nationwide to receive this $10,000 scholarship. 

“I cannot thank the NCAA, and those who have helped me along the way, enough for this wonderful opportunity,” Ms. McDonald said. “With their support, I am able to close out an incredibly fun and rewarding swimming career and take on a new lifelong career as a veterinarian.” 

Ms. McDonald completed her bachelor’s degree in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry, from Ball State’s College of Sciences and Humanities. She graduated summa cum laude from Ball State and the University’s Honors College with a 3.98 GPA. This Fall, she will enter the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at Colorado State University. She plans to eventually open her own veterinary hospital and conduct animal research. 

At Ball State, Ms. McDonald served as vice president, and then president, of the University’s Pre-Vet & Animal Welfare Society Club, initiating a wide range of activities to help members become well-prepared to enter their future professions. She also served as a research assistant in an animal behavior lab at Ball State and gained hundreds of hours of experience in veterinary hospitals and clinics in Indiana and Ohio. 

As a swimmer, Ms. McDonald specialized in the breaststroke—clocking the second-fastest time (1:02:44) in program history in the 100m, and also helping set Ball State records in the 200m (1:32.09) and 400m (3:22.31) freestyle relays. She placed first in three different regional meets for the 100m breaststroke, and was invited to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) National Invitational Championship meet for three of the past four years.