KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University standout student-athletes Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) of women's lacrosse and Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) of women's soccer were recently recognized as two of just eight recipients of the 2025 Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award. Graf earned gold, while Curtis received silver.
 
Graf is a biology allied health major graduating in May from Wayne, N.J. She was awarded the Chambliss Academic Gold Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Graf is one of the most transformative lacrosse players in Kutztown University program history. She is a two-time All-American, including First Team honors as a junior in 2024, along with a two-time all-region and three-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) selection. She is KU's career record holder in goals, points and draw controls, while also holding single season records for points, goals and draw controls.
 
Graf joined the program in 2022 and scored 42 goals, 21 assists and 63 points during her freshman season, placing her third in program history for points in a season. In 2023, KU went 13-6 with its first-ever PSAC Championship Tournament appearance and reached the championship game in 2024. Since Graf joined the team, KU has made its first NCAA Tournament appearances in program history in 2023 and 2024. She was selected as the 2025 Preseason Midfielder of the Year by USA Lacrosse Magazine. Graf is interested in pursuing a career in the health profession as a physician's assistant.
 
Curtis is a marketing major with a social media theory and strategy minor graduating in May from Warrington, Pa. She was awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Curtis is one of the top women's soccer players in program history and has been an exemplary student as well. She has received multiple national accolades for her athletic and academic achievements over the course of her KU career. She is a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American, earning First Team Honors in 2023. She is a four-time All-PSAC defender and was voted the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year. Curtis is also a three-time D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region First Team selection. She's one of only three players in program history to earn multiple All-America honors.
 
In 83 career games, Curtis made 82 starts on defense. She registered nine goals and three assists for 21 points. She was a team captain and helped Kutztown reach the NCAA Division II Championship tournament in each of her four seasons with the program. Academically, Curtis was named a College Sports Communications Third Team Academic All-American in 2023 and is a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree. She is also a three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete and two-time D2ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient.
 
About the Chambliss Academic Achievement Awards
 
The Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards were established through a generous gift provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, who served as a member of the Kutztown University faculty from 1970 until 2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of senior students as their careers at Kutztown University draw to a close.
 
Faculty and staff at Kutztown University are encouraged to nominate students worthy of consideration for this prestigious award. The criterion requires that the nominee exemplify an individual achievement in one or more of the following areas in order to be considered for one of the twelve awards. The areas of achievement are:
 
a) Successfully completed research projects
b) Original artwork of high quality
c) Artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality
d) Original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields
e) Noteworthy achievements in athletics
f) Outstanding service to the Kutztown University community
 
Dr. Chambliss has provided the resources for up to 12 medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 7 copper) to be issued annually to the students selected for this award. In addition, each student recipient will receive a certificate acknowledging conferral of the award.