Columbia's Tori Rubel Selected AMC Emil S. Liston Scholarship Nominee
Written by Bruna Niederkorn, AMC Assistant Commissioner
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Columbia women's basketball student-athlete Tori Rubel has been selected the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Emil S. Liston Scholarship Award nominee.
Named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and the driving force behind the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship, the Emil S. Liston Award recognizes one junior men's and one junior women's basketball student-athlete who have demonstrated outstanding academic and athletic achievement.
A junior from Cape Girardeau, Mo., Rubel has excelled both in the classroom and on the court throughout her collegiate career.
Academically, she has maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her success in the classroom earned her recognition as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, an AMC All-Academic Team honoree, and an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete.
"I always look forward to having Tori in class. She is prepared, engaged, and works hard to succeed in her courses. She also sets an excellent example for her peers, both in lecture and lab. Tori is willing to ask questions to clarify protocols or concepts, or to reach out to her fellow students to help when they have questions. Having Tori in a class helps to grow a community in the classroom, and I know this has translated to her basketball team as well. She is cognizant of the pressures of academics and athletics, and she has handled both well while being a true team player," stated Tara Martin, PhD, Columbia's Associate Professor of Biology.
On the court, Rubel established herself as one of the conference's premier defensive players. She earned AMC Player of the Week honors twice, was named to the AMC All-Defensive Team, and was selected as the AMC Defensive Player of the Year. She also helped lead the Cougars to both the AMC regular-season and tournament championships.
Beyond her accomplishments in academics and athletics, Rubel has made a meaningful impact across campus and in the community. She is an active member of the Columbia College Science Club, where she has built connections beyond the classroom while participating in volunteer opportunities. She is also a member of the Association of Student-Athletes (ASA), helping connect and support fellow student-athletes through events, collaboration, and community engagement. Through ASA, she has served as a voice for student-athlete feedback while promoting leadership, communication, and personal growth.
"Outside of the classroom Tori is visible around campus, working with other students on class work. She works well with other students in courses and is committed to participating in departmental events including the annual Science Symposium. She is also committed to being an active participant in the Science Club on campus. Tori has been an excellent student and ambassador of our program," shared Dr. Kent N. Strodtman, Columbia College Chair – Department of Natural Science & Mathematics.
Since May 2025, Rubel has volunteered with Smiles of Hope, a nonprofit dental organization that assists medically underserved individuals with their dental care. In that role, she has helped dentists by preparing trays, sanitizing instruments, and performing suctioning during extractions.
In May 2026, she also began volunteering with a Dominican Republic Pre-Health Trip, where she participated in community service initiatives with ADESJO. Through the experience, Rubel engaged with local residents to better understand cultural perspectives and barriers related to healthcare access. She also collaborated with local healthcare professionals to support outreach efforts and assist underserved community members in accessing the care they needed.
For the past four years, Rubel has worked at Madison Medical Center in Fredericktown, Mo., as a Physical Therapy Technician, assisting patients through a variety of rehabilitation services.
"She demonstrates leadership with her co-workers by her work ethic, personality, and ability to adapt to different situations that arise in the day-to-day processes of our practice," shared Amanda Johnson, MPT.
Up Next
As the AMC nominee, Rubel is now eligible for the NAIA Emil S. Liston Award, which will be announced during NAIA National Awards Day on September 15.