The physical education department has presented the first award to honor the memory of Shannon McNamara.

Andrea Shea Minott, a physical education graduate student, was presented with the first Shannon McNamara Outstanding Physical Education Award, a plaque and a $200 gift, at the department’s annual award ceremony on April 12.

McNamara, a physical education major, was murdered on June 12 in her Charleston apartment.

Minott, who was a close friend of McNamara, won the award because she “was someone that fit what Shannon stood for,” Phoebe Church, physical education department chair, said.

Church said Minott was chosen because of her high academic standing, good character and her outstanding achievements. She was active in department service, ran track for four years and was highly regarded by her professors.

Church said faculty, staff and students in the department have plans to establish a scholarship later next year in McNamara’s memory, but have not raised the $5,000 needed to fund the scholarship yet.

The department has been raising funds through faculty donations and telefunds, accumulating about $2,500, Church said. They expect to raise the full amount by next year, so the department can give away a scholarship that will keep growing.

“Shannon was an outstanding physical education major and every one of her instructors spoke very highly of her,” she said. “She was a joy to have in class and was always a pleasure to be around.”