LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced its Senior Scholar Athlete Award winners for the Winter season. This award recognizes a senior who truly represents the student-athlete model by performing in competition, in the classroom and around the community. 

This season, four student-athletes from four different member and associate member institutions were recognized:

 

Student-Athlete	Institution	Sport
Blessed Mbogo	Gallaudet University	Men's Basketball
Kayleigh Miller	Penn College	Women's Basketball
Molly Wagner	Carlow University	Women's Indoor Track & Field
Daniel Lefko	Lancaster Bible College	Men's Indoor Track & Field

 

Blessed Mbogo

Gallaudet University / / Men’s Basketball

A four-year veteran of the Bison men’s basketball team, Mbogo has embodied the three pillars of this award. On the court, Mbogo has been a star for Coach Kovacs’ team. Steadily rising throughout his tenure, Mbogo has jumped out in his final two years as he has averaged over 16 points per game. This season, the Silver Spring, Md. native hit the benchmark of 1,000 points, while also hauling in over 400 career boards and just a single career steal shy of the century mark. His efforts have been recognized as he earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team in both of the last two seasons.

Off the court, he impressed just as much. Majoring in Biology and Psychology while minoring in math, Mbogo has maintained a GPA of 3.89. The nine-time Dean’s List recipient has earned authorship across multiple journals and academic papers including the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis and a bulletin in the American Astronomical Society. In the surrounding community, he has made an impact as well as he was an Election Registration and Voter Ambassador. He has also worked as a Stage Manager for the Gallaudet Theatre and also provided programming for disabled participants at the University of Michigan.

"Blessed is truly an exceptional student athlete in its truest form. He works so hard on his game as much as in his studies and the results are evident.  Everyone associated with Blessed are truly blessed to have felt  his impact and influence in many ways that cannot be measured." - Kevin Kovacs, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Gallaudet University
 

Kayleigh Miller 

Penn College  //  Women’s Basketball

Miller has made the most of her time as a Wildcat, excelling in every facet of this award. The four-year player played in 98 games for Penn College, amassing 447 points. She recently helped her squad to their best season in the Division III era, amassing 15 wins (12 in conference) and the fourth seed in the United East Conference Championship. She is also a three-year member of the Wildcat women’s cross country team.

In the classroom, the Sayre, Pa. native has been immaculate as she has posted a perfect 4.0 while majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Marketing. Her academic prowess has earned her the Elite 20 (formerly 14) Award twice and has placed her on the College Sport Communicators Academic All-District List every year applicable. Miller’s impressiveness spread to her work in the community as well. In her hometown, she has pitched in with a Christmas Toys for Kids Drive and has been doing that every winter since 2014. On campus, she currently is chairing the One Love: Yards for Yeardly campaign which helps advocate for healthy relationships.

"Selfless, dedicated, and unwavering in her support of those around her. With a spirit that lifts others, she always puts her team before herself, leading by example through hard work and perseverance. Her excellence extends beyond the court, shining just as brightly in the classroom and in the community. She has left a lasting mark on this program, shaping it in the most positive way, and her impact will be felt for years to come. She is not just a student or an athlete but a role model—one we should all strive to emulate." - Britni Mohney, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Penn College

Molly Wagner 

Carlow University // Women’s Indoor Track & Field

Wagner has impressed in her short time with the United East, but her body of work across all award criteria helped earn her this accolade. On the track, the sprinter will go down as a Celtic great as she currently holds the records in four different individual events (55m, 60m, 200m, 400m) and two relays (4x100m, 4x400m). Evidence of her work has shown up at the podium as she has claimed five gold medals, five silver and a pair of bronze. 

The current graduate student holds a GPA of 4.0, but finished her undergrad with an equally impressive 3.87 in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. Her efforts have earned her back-to-back years on the CSC Academic All-District list as well as an induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma Leadership Fraternity. Wagner’s campus community service is something she can hang her hat on as she is a Celtic Ambassador, which helps welcome new and potential students onto the campus. Alongside that, she also acts as a tutor in psychology.

"Molly has been an incredible Track and Field athlete here at Carlow University and represents everything we want out of our student athletes here at Carlow and is a perfect example of what we look for.  She has consistently improved every week in competition and is one of the most decorated Track and Field athletes in Carlow History. She has one of the strongest work ethics of any athlete I have coached over the last 30 yrs and she will be missed as a teammate by the staff and team."  - Chad Walsh, Head Men's and Women's Track & Field Coach at Carlow University

Daniel Lefko

Lancaster Bible College // Men’s Indoor Track and Field

A captain of the team, it is clear that Lefko has been a model student-athlete not only on the track but off it as well. A mid to long distance runner, this four year athlete turned in his best performances of his career in his final year. At the 2025 United East Championships, Lefko hit the podium twice with a silver in the 800m and a bronze in the 5K. The Oley Valley, Pa. native was also a star on the Charger men’s cross country team, earning Second Team All-Conference in three of his four years.

Lefko’s success spread to the classroom as well where he garnered a 3.87 GPA in Pastoral Ministries. His marks earned him USTFCCCA All-Academic Team the last two years and United East All-Academic in every year eligible. Lefko completed the pillars of this award with his dedication to community service. The runner engaged with the Student Evangelism Fellowship, helping to coordinate weekly events. He also serves as the Chaplain for the Lancaster Bible Student Government Association.

"I have always been impressed with Dan’s work ethic and commitment to our team.  He has thrived in the classroom, the track, and in our campus community.  He always has a positive attitude and encourages and pushes his teammates to get better." - Melissa Baughman, Head Men's and Women's Track & Field Coach at Lancaster Bible College

 

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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.