The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Lamar senior punter Kollin Kahler has been named recipient of the 2013 David J. Beck Fellowship. The Waco, native will study advances in joint replacement surgery in Dublin, Ireland in the summer.

The Beck Fellowships reward outstanding academic achievement and allow top students to further challenge themselves with unique opportunities for undergraduate research and creative study.

Two recipients of the fellowship are selected every year. Recipients of the fellowship are awarded full scholarships which cover all tuition, books, fees and on-campus room and board. Additionally, each fellow receives up to $10,000 in funding for a summer project, which may entail research, internships or international studies.

A 1961 Lamar graduate and distinguished alumnus, Beck is a founding partner of Beck Redden & Secrest in Houston. He has served as president of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the State Bar of Texas. Beck has served as president of the Lamar University Foundation and a regent of the Lamar University System.

A preseason first-team All-Southland Conference selection, Kahler is currently fourth in the conference averaging better than 40 yards per punt. A 2012 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, Kahler currently holds the school’s punt average record. He was also named to the 2012 Academic All-SLC team and an FCS ADA Academic All-Star. Earlier this month Kahler was named a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy.