Justin Jackson, Hannah Kim Earn Prestigious Big Ten Medal Of Honor

Northwestern Athletic Communications

 

EVANSTON, Ill. – Record-setting student-athletes Justin Jackson and Hannah Kim have been selected as Northwestern’s 2018 recipients of the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor, the university announced at the annual N Club Induction Banquet. Big Ten schools currently feature more than 8,200 student-athletes, but only 28 earn this award on an annual basis.

 
Jackson rewrote the Northwestern record book during his Wildcats career. The Carol Stream, Illinois, native finished his career third in Big Ten history and tenth in NCAA history with 5,440 career rushing yards. He became just the second Big Ten player ever to rush for 1,000 yards in four-straight seasons, capping his NU career with 1,311 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead the ‘Cats to a 10-3 record and their second consecutive postseason victory. He was named a consensus Second-Team All-Big Ten selection in 2017, and was honored as the Most Valuable Player in both the 2016 Pinstripe Bowl and the 2017 Music City Bowl. In addition to leaving NU as its all-time leading rusher, Jackson also ranks first in rushing attempts (1,142), rushing touchdowns (41), total touchdowns (42) and all-purpose yards (6,298). A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Jackson earned his degree in economics last month, and was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2018 NFL Draft.
 
Kim recently completed the most decorated career in Northwestern women’s golf history, helping lead the ‘Cats to a pair of Big Ten Conference titles and four consecutive Top-10 NCAA finishes. The Chula Vista, California, native was a three-time WGCA All-American and a two-time Golfweek All-American and won three individual tournament tiles as a collegian. The two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, and two-time Mary Fossum Award winner, became just the 12th golfer in Big Ten history to earn four First Team All-Conference honors. She owns the lowest career scoring mark in Wildcats history and three of the four-lowest single-season marks, as well as the program’s 18- and 54-hole scoring records. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Kim graduated from Northwestern last month with a degree in communication studies.
 
The Big Ten Medal of Honor is awarded to one male and one female student from the graduating class of each member institution who has demonstrated excellence on and off the field throughout their college career. The highest honor that a student competing in conference athletics can achieve in the Big Ten, the award was established in 1915 and was the first award in intercollegiate athletics to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on athletics. During the past century, the Big Ten Medal of Honor has been awarded to more than 1,300 honorees. These individuals have translated their campus experience into success in all walks of life.
 
Northwestern’s past winners include Dan & Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald, current Chicago Cubs pitcher Luke Farrell, and former basketball star and current UNICEF Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer Anucha Browne. 

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