Jon Bishop, a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been named the 2020-21 Southeastern Conference (SEC) H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
First presented by the SEC in 1986, the prestigious award recognizes the conference’s top male and female student-athletes annually. Bishop is the third Aggie and second track and field athlete to earn the award.
"It's the highest honor that a student-athlete can receive in the SEC and we're proud that Texas A&M continues a legacy of receiving this award," said Ross Bjork, director of Texas A&M Athletics, in a related press release. "Our goal here is to have our student-athletes achieve their full potential in whatever avenue they decide to pursue. Jon, we are so proud that you have achieved your full potential and then some."
Chosen by a committee of faculty athletics representatives from universities within the SEC, Bishop will receive a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship.
In addition to the McWhorter Award, he is also the recipient of several academic and athletic honors, which include the Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete Award (2020 and 2021), SEC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award (2018) and SEC Indoor Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award (2020).
After graduating, Bishop looks to pursue a career in data science, data analytics or cryptography.
“It’s such a huge blessing,” said Bishop. “The scholarship and what the award stands for is amazing. I’m just so happy I can bring the award back to Texas A&M. It doesn’t feel real yet, but I’m sure it will sink in as time goes on.”