ORLANDO, Florida -- Before the business of the first Division II Chancellors and Presidents Summit was addressed, Division II took time to celebrate its values.

At a June 24 banquet, the presidents and chancellors in attendance recognized three Walter Byers Scholarship winners from Division II institutions -- Anna Hallbergson and Marya Morusiewicz Rowan from Barry University, and Mac Schneider from the University of North Dakota -- along with a pair of other high achievers, Janina Morusiewicz from Barry (NCAA Woman of the Year finalist) and Christine A. Donovan from Stonehill College (senior manager/managing director of Global Securities Lending at Brown Brothers Harriman).

"We did it the right way at North Dakota," Schneider said. "It was made clear to us from Day 1 that we weren't going to cut corners on the football field or in the classroom. I put a lot in, but I have gotten such much more back."

The program was led by former Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses, who attended Morehouse College while training for the Olympics. Moses told the presidents about his relationship with former Morehouse President Hugh Gloster, who found a way for his financially strapped university to help a top student realize his Olympic dream. Moses won the gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1976 and 1984 Olympics while Morehouse benefited from having educated and mentored such a celebrated student-athlete.

"Every shoulder you're able to put a hand on, it really makes a difference," Moses told the presidents.

The entertainment for the celebration also had a Division II flavor. Roger Cox, a former basketball player from San Francisco State University who is featured in video segments promoting NCAA student-athletes, entertained the presidents with a collection of jazz tunes.

-- David Pickle