Lily DeSpain’s life is filled with adventure, dedication and service.  

The 2024 Missouri State University alumna has made waves in the pool as a swimmer for the Naval Academy and Missouri State. She is also currently a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and studying medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) as part of her Health Professions Scholarship from the army. Her goal is to become a military doctor. 

“Becoming a military doctor combines my two greatest passions: serving others and practicing medicine,” DeSpain said. “The Army needs doctors, and I’m honored to step into this role.” 

A swimming champ

A native of Springdale, Arkansas, DeSpain grew up in California and Beijing, China. She graduated from Haas Hall Academy in Arkansas, then studied at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with both of her older sisters.  

After three semesters at the academy as a student and swimmer, she chose to enter the transfer portal and accepted an offer to join Missouri State in spring 2022. At Missouri State, DeSpain excelled in both academics and athletics. She graduated magna cum laude in May 2024 with a degree in cell and molecular biology and minors in biomedical sciences, chemistry and Chinese.  

As a member of Missouri State’s Swimming and Diving team for two years, she set Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) records in the 400-yard individual medley (4:14.92), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:18.87) and 800-yard freestyle relay (7:12.19). She won seven MVC Championship gold medals, five of which came in last year’s title meet, to lead the Bears to their seventh and eighth consecutive MVC crowns.  

DeSpain made the All-MVC first team and MVC Scholar-Athlete team in both seasons at Missouri State. She was named the 2024 MVC Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year. 

For her record-setting swimming career and impact as a student-athlete, DeSpain was named one of the top 30 honorees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year award.  

According to DeSpain, she is incredibly humbled to receive this honor. 

“Every achievement reminds me of the people who supported me. It’s about teamwork and perseverance,” she said. “Missouri State gave me everything I needed — support, inspiration and the chance to grow.” 

Finding purpose in service 

Despite her busy schedule as a student-athlete, DeSpain made time to engage in volunteer work and extracurricular activities.  

On campus, she volunteered as a peer tutor and participated in the Pre-Medical Committee. She also served as president of Tau Sigma National Honor Society and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

To learn more about the medical field, DeSpain gained hands-on experience as a phlebotomist and contributed to impactful research through a HIV research lab group. In addition, she volunteered in local hospitals.

“Helping others has always been my goal, whether through swimming, service or medicine,” she said. 

Military and service: a family affair 

DeSpain is part of a family dedicated to serving their country. Her mother served in the Air Force as a translator and her father is a former FBI agent. Her sisters are Navy submarine officers. 

“Service is in my blood,” she said. “I wanted to follow their example and make a difference.”  

DeSpain hopes her story inspires others to follow their passions, no matter what the challenges.  “Don’t be afraid to dream big,” she said. “With hard work and support, anything is possible.” 

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