Dinsmore Receives Fulbright Grant to Teach English in Colombia

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Former Willamette University track and field sprinter Jaela Dinsmore '12 (Hines, OR/Burns HS) has received a Fulbright Scholar grant. With the grant, Dinsmore plans to teach English in Colombia (South America) as she prepares for a career in bilingual education.

Dinsmore graduated this spring with a bachelor's degree and a double major in Latin American Studies and Spanish. She achieved a 3.99 cumulative grade point average and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

She was named First Team Capital One Academic All-America in 2011-12 and earned Third Team Capital One Academic All-America honors in 2010-11. She was chosen for the NCAA Elite 89 Award in women's track and field for having the highest GPA among competitors at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

At the NCAA Championships, Dinsmore earned All-America honors by placing fifth in the 100-meter dash in a career-best time of 11.95 seconds in the finals. She placed 11th in the 200-meter dash with a personal record time of 24.62 seconds in her preliminary heat.

During her college career, she won a Northwest Conference individual title in all three of the sprints. She finished first in the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash this spring. She took first place in the 400-meter dash in 2011.

She contributed to Willamette winning NWC team championships in 2009 and 2010. She also helped the Bearcats win consecutive NWC titles in the 4 x 400-meter relay 2009 and 2010.

Dinsmore's success on the field and in the classroom led to two additional awards from the Willamette Athletics Department.

She was chosen for the Jean Williams Award, which is presented each year to a senior female student-athlete who has demonstrated athleticism, leadership, and scholarship. She was named Women's Senior Scholar-Athlete after attaining the highest cumulative GPA among graduating seniors on Willamette's 10 women's athletic teams.

While attending Willamette, Dinsmore was active on campus and in the community. She was a member of Mortar Board, worked for the WU chapter of CAUSA (Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization), participated in Mid-Valley Mentors and was an International Student Peer Advisor. In addition, she has worked as a wildland firefighter.