Elizabeth Seibel, a geosciences major at Penn State University and an accomplished bowler, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Billy Welu Scholarship by the Professional Bowlers Association.

The $1,000 scholarship recognizes exemplary qualities in college students who compete in the sport of bowling.

As a member of the Penn State bowling team in 2008-09, the freshman was named National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Rookie of the Year, First Team Collegiate All-American and won six other all-tournament team honors.

“I’m extremely honored to have received this award, especially since I know there were so many other talented and accomplished candidates,” said Seibel. “I'm looking forward to the academic and athletic challenges yet to come in my next three years of college and I would like to thank the PBA for its support of collegiate bowling and for its recognition of achievements both on the lanes and in the classroom.”

Seibel holds a 4.0 grade point average and earned the President’s Freshman Award, Schreyer College Honors Scholarship and Earth and Mineral Sciences Dean’s Scholarship.

A PBA Charter Member, the late Billy Welu won the BPAA All Star in 1959 before winning the 1964 and '65 USBC Masters events. He was PBA President for two years, a member of the PBA Tournament Committee for eight years and served for 16 years on the Executive Board. Welu was inducted into both the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame in 1975.