Carroll College Student Won A.O. Duer Scholarship
Helena student Henry Gross received the 2025-26 NAIA Male A.O. Duer Scholarship Award for his outstanding achievements.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Scholarships
Carroll College student Henry Gross was awarded the 2025-26 Male A.O. Duer Scholarship Award by the NAIA. The honor recognizes the recipient for excellence in academics, athletics, and character.
Why it matters
The award honors students who demonstrate the core principles of the Champions of Character program, including integrity and servant leadership. By recognizing these values, the NAIA emphasizes the importance of holistic development for collegiate athletes.
The A.O. Duer Scholarship Award is granted for the 2025-26 academic year based on a student's combined performance in the classroom and on the field. Carroll College currently holds the title of the inaugural NAIA School of Character.
The players
Henry Gross
He is a student at Carroll College who was selected for the prestigious NAIA scholarship.
Charlie Gross
He serves as the Director of Athletics at Carroll College and is the father of the award recipient.
Carroll College
This Helena-based institution is recognized as the inaugural NAIA School of Character.
NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics oversees athletic programs and presents the A.O. Duer Scholarship.
The details
The award acknowledges the recipient’s commitment to integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership as defined by the Champions of Character initiative. These standards remain central to the academic and athletic community at the Helena institution.
Timeline
The 2025-26 academic year marks the period for which Henry Gross received the award.
Culture Shift
The selection of Henry Gross highlights a growing societal shift toward prioritizing character and ethics in collegiate sports alongside athletic success. This reflects the broader influence of the NAIA Champions of Character program in shaping modern standards for student-athlete recognition.
The recognition of a local student brings increased prestige to the Carroll College academic and athletic community. Students and local families may find the success of the Champions of Character program as a benchmark for evaluating personal development and leadership goals.
The takeaway
Maintaining a balance between rigorous academic study and athletic competition is essential for students seeking recognition in character-based awards. Aspiring scholars should focus on community engagement and ethical leadership to align with the standards set by national programs.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic and athletic support through Helena Scholarships.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NAIA.
