BOSTON - Eight seniors were honored at Boston University's annual student-athlete awards reception, held on Monday evening at the Metcalf Trustee Center. Field hockey All-American Pam Spuehler (Sudbury, Mass.) received the Mildred Barnes Award, given to the female athlete of the year, while men's ice hockey All-American Pete MacArthur (Clifton Park, N.Y.) was named the winner of the Mickey Cochrane Award, signifying the top male athlete.

The E. Ray Speare and Gretchen Schuyler Awards, given annually to the top male and female scholar-athletes, were awarded to Derek Puerta (Pawtucket, R.I) of the men's soccer team and Marisa Ryan (Farmington, Conn.) of the track & field and cross country teams. BU's Woman of the Year Award was given to field hockey standout Sarah Hudak (Harleysville, Pa.), while Greg Dierksen (Yucaipa, Calif.) of the swimming & diving team and Lauren Morton (Glenside, Pa.) of the lacrosse team were the recipients of the John B. Simpson Award, given to both a male and female senior who has demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership. Molly Gallagher (Reading, Mass.) of the softball team earned the Student-Athlete Service Award.

Spuehler became the first BU athlete to be a finalist for the Honda Award, given annually to the top female in each NCAA sport, after helping the Terriers reach the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 1991. A three-time NFHCA All-American, Spuehler capped her brilliant career with first-team honors after earning second- and third-team accolades in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The leading scorer for the Terriers in each of the last three seasons, MacArthur wrapped up his stellar career by earning a spot on the RBK East All-America Second Team earlier this month. One of the hardest working players to ever put on a BU jersey, MacArthur ranks 18th in program history in career points with 147 and his 64 career goals are good for 25th.

A 2007 co-captain and the team's Most Valuable Player, Puerta anchored the BU defense and helped the Terriers earn two NCAA tournament berths, including one this past fall. He graduated in January from the College of Communication and was a three-time member of the Student-Athlete Honor Roll.

Ryan helped BU to its third straight America East Championship in indoor track & field, earning Track Performer of the Meet honors. She earned All-America status at the NCAA Championship with a 9:12.83 time in the 3000m, good for a fifth-place finish and a new personal and school mark. The first-ever student-athlete to be accepted into BU's seven-year liberal arts/medical education program, Ryan finished the undergraduate portion of her program last year with a GPA of 3.78.

Dierksen, a two-year captain, helped the Terriers improve from 3-7 in 2006-07 to 7-2 in 2007-08. At the 2008 America East Swimming and Diving Championships, he finished in the top 10 in three different individual events. In addition to his accomplishments in the pool, he has been crucial in keeping the team morale high and he has truly developed into the leader of the squad.

A leader in every sense of the word, Morton has been instrumental in helping the lacrosse team emerge as one of the top programs in the nation. A two-year captain and four-year starter, Morton's play and leadership have helped the Terriers win the America East title in each of the last four seasons. She is the Terriers' all-time leader in draw controls and she ranks in the top 10 at BU in career points, goals, caused turnovers and ground balls.

Gallagher went from walk-on status to senior captain of the softball team. In addition to heading up BU's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), she has volunteered with the Massachusetts Lung Association and the Newton Special Athletes track team and also helped organize a Breast Cancer Walk last fall, the "Halloween Town" festival at the World Trade Center and the Teddy Bear Toss to support the Home for Little Wanderers.

In addition to the eight student-athletes honored, David Walko (CAS `68), Associate Director of Planned Giving, was the recipient of the Campus Community Recognition Award, which honors an individual whose support to the athletic department has proven limitless. Walko played a key role in the fundraising for the Academic Support Center, the Fitness and Recreation Center, the John Hancock Student Village and Agganis Arena.