Heroism and love of sports help define incoming first-year student

RELEASED: June 26, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—As the summer moves ever onward, Centre College is gearing up for the incoming Class of 2012. From "Abraham" to "Yang" and all names in between, each individual demonstrates distinctive potential and helps define what it means to be Centre student. Jonathan Pinque of Toney, Ala., is one example of the interesting and highly motivated first-year students who will arrive on campus this fall.

Pinque is considering a degree in economics, in hopes of a career that combines business and travel. He heard about Centre from his high school football coach, and upon visiting the school, was inspired by Coach Carter Conley and Head Coach Andy Frye to play football for the College. One of things that he appreciated most about Centre, communicated on the College's Web site and during his campus visit, was the close relationship between faculty and students.

It's not only his interest in Centre's football program that helps define this young man, but his status as a recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Honor, awarded to those that risk their own lives for the sake of another's. In 2005, Pinque, then 16, was at home and witnessed a horrific accident: two of his friends had careened into a lake while in their car; they were unconscious and the car was rapidly sinking. Coming to their rescue, Pinque entered the pond and attempted to open the passenger door, but to no avail. Realizing he would need a tool, he retreated from the lake, obtained a metal rod, and smashed the sunroof in. He then lay down on the hood and lifted one of the boys out, passing him off to another boy who had arrived at the scene. Pinque then grabbed the second boy, who outweighed him, and successfully pulled him out of the car to safety.

In addition to playing football in high school, Pinque also participated in basketball and baseball and hopes to one day make it into the NFL. Among his heroes are Brett Favre and his high school coach.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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