Laura Mench D'Amato '93 was one of the best female track and field athletes to ever compete at the College. The term track and field perfectly described Laura as she was equally proficient whether it was running in sprinting and sprint relay events as a track athlete or competing in jumping events as a field athlete.

In addition to being an outstanding track and field athlete, Laura graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993 with a cumulative 3.9 grade point average with a major in elementary education and a minor in history. She left the College as one of its most celebrated student-athletes.

On the track, Laura ended her career with a perfect record: Eight-for-eight in Ohio Athletic Conference titles -- four indoors and four outdoors. Individually, her athletic achievements included being a two-time NCAA Division III All-American by placing fifth in 1991 as a member of the 4 x 100 meter relay team and placing seventh in the 1992 outdoor championship meet in the long jump. She also was a five-time Division III national qualifier: indoors in the long jump and outdoors in the 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 meter relays and in the long jump. She also was a school record-holder as a member of both the 4 x 100 meter relay team and individually in the long jump for 13 years until that mark was eclipsed in 2005. Laura was a multiple-event OAC champion and received the BW Outstanding Jumper Award in 1992.

In the classroom, Laura accomplished just as much if not more. Some of her academic honors included being a member of the Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Alpha Theta and Dayton C. Miller honoraries. She received a Presidential Scholarship and was a constant member of the Dean's list.  In addition, Laura was selected by CoSIDA to be a second-team GTE Academic All-American in 1992, was a two-time GTE Academic All-District IV pick, earned Academic All-OAC honors and was the 1993 BW representative to the OAC for the Clyde Lamb Award.

Following graduation, Laura worked as a junior high school teacher before earning her Master of Library Science degree from Kent State University in 1997. From 1997 until 2005, she worked as a school librarian and library media specialist. During that time, Laura had lesson plans published in school library periodicals and she also coached volleyball and track.

Today, Laura enjoys being a stay-at-home mother, but also stays busy reviewing children's books for Library Media Connection.