M Club Announces 2023 Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships
5/16/2023 11:50:00 AM | Track & Field, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Gymnastics, M Club
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Eight Terrapins have been awarded M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships in 2023. The M Club awards $5,000 scholarships each year to former student-athletes who are looking to continue their education post-graduation.
This year's recipients are Sophia Antonopoulos (Women's Lacrosse, 2023); Alice Barnsdale (Women's Track & Field, 2022); Adalee Broadbent (Women's Soccer, 2022); Austynn Lacasse (Women's Gymnastics, 2023); Sarah Leonard (Competitive Cheer, 2023); Emily (Dotter) Pherson (Competitive Cheer, 2006); Kennedy Tolson (Women's Soccer, 2023) and Gwendolyn Zeckowski (Women's Track & Field, 2023).
These former student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in athletics and academics during their time at the University of Maryland, received at least one varsity letter from the University of Maryland, have earned, or will earn by May 2023, a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, must not be an active member of a college athletics roster in the 2022-2023 academic year, and have applied to (or enrolled in) a graduate program in an accredited institution for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree.
"The M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship Program is a perfect example of how the M Club continues to support our student-athletes long after graduation," said Executive Director of the M Club and Associate Director of Development Laura Chiriaco. "The program exemplifies our mission of 'Athletes Helping Athletes,' in that, it is a scholarship for athletes, awarded by athletes, and made possible through the generosity of an athlete. I want to thank our committee for their work in selecting these deserving student-athletes, and a special thanks to our committee chair, Marjorie Bollinger Baker, for her continued leadership. Congratulations to this year's winners, I know you will continue to make us proud!"
"The M Club is pleased to offer the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships to eight recipients representing five different sports this year," said Marjorie Bollinger Baker (Cross-Country/Track & Field '02), chair of the selection committee. "This year's winners spoke of how their time as University of Maryland student athletes truly impacted their lives socially, emotionally, and academically. They painted vivid pictures of their time at Maryland and described how the lessons and skills they learned will carry with them for their entire lives. Our selection committee also noted how this year's group of winners expressed the desire to "pay it forward" as they entered programs designed to help them give back to their communities and improve the lives of others. The M Club is very proud of being able to support these Terps on their mission to help others, just as we do with our own mission of 'Athletes Helping Athletes.' Congratulations to our 2023 M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipients!"
This year's recipients are Sophia Antonopoulos (Women's Lacrosse, 2023); Alice Barnsdale (Women's Track & Field, 2022); Adalee Broadbent (Women's Soccer, 2022); Austynn Lacasse (Women's Gymnastics, 2023); Sarah Leonard (Competitive Cheer, 2023); Emily (Dotter) Pherson (Competitive Cheer, 2006); Kennedy Tolson (Women's Soccer, 2023) and Gwendolyn Zeckowski (Women's Track & Field, 2023).
These former student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in athletics and academics during their time at the University of Maryland, received at least one varsity letter from the University of Maryland, have earned, or will earn by May 2023, a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, must not be an active member of a college athletics roster in the 2022-2023 academic year, and have applied to (or enrolled in) a graduate program in an accredited institution for the purpose of pursuing an advanced degree.
"The M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship Program is a perfect example of how the M Club continues to support our student-athletes long after graduation," said Executive Director of the M Club and Associate Director of Development Laura Chiriaco. "The program exemplifies our mission of 'Athletes Helping Athletes,' in that, it is a scholarship for athletes, awarded by athletes, and made possible through the generosity of an athlete. I want to thank our committee for their work in selecting these deserving student-athletes, and a special thanks to our committee chair, Marjorie Bollinger Baker, for her continued leadership. Congratulations to this year's winners, I know you will continue to make us proud!"
"The M Club is pleased to offer the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships to eight recipients representing five different sports this year," said Marjorie Bollinger Baker (Cross-Country/Track & Field '02), chair of the selection committee. "This year's winners spoke of how their time as University of Maryland student athletes truly impacted their lives socially, emotionally, and academically. They painted vivid pictures of their time at Maryland and described how the lessons and skills they learned will carry with them for their entire lives. Our selection committee also noted how this year's group of winners expressed the desire to "pay it forward" as they entered programs designed to help them give back to their communities and improve the lives of others. The M Club is very proud of being able to support these Terps on their mission to help others, just as we do with our own mission of 'Athletes Helping Athletes.' Congratulations to our 2023 M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipients!"
Antonopoulos, a Towson, Maryland native, will earn a degree in Public Health Science from Maryland this spring. She was a member of the Maryland women's lacrosse program for four years. She worked as an Academic Management Intern in the Gossett Center for Academic and Personal Excellence at Maryland. She worked as Shadow for various groups including the University of Maryland Urgent Care Center, an Obstetrics and Gynecology Office, Sinai Hospital and ClubMed in addition to being an Optometry Technician and Patient Coordinator for a Visionary Eye Care office. She was a Goossett Fellow, Student-Athlete Mentor, member of Pre-Health Terps and a SAAC Representative at Maryland.
"Receiving the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is such an honor," said Antonopoulos. "This scholarship will help me achieve my long time dream of becoming a Physician Assistant as I begin my program this July at Thiel College. I am beyond grateful to be a recipient and am forever thankful that I am a Terp!"
"Receiving the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is such an honor," said Antonopoulos. "This scholarship will help me achieve my long time dream of becoming a Physician Assistant as I begin my program this July at Thiel College. I am beyond grateful to be a recipient and am forever thankful that I am a Terp!"
Barnsdale, a native of Lincoln, England, competed for Maryland track and field as a hammer thrower from 2017-22. She earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award and was a Regional Qualifier with the Terps. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Geographical Sciences in 2021, a Master of Science in Geographical Science in 2022 and is pursuing a PhD in Geographical Science at Maryland. During her time in College Park, she was a Research Intern and Research Assistant for the Geography Department. She has also served as an Educational Assistant for Maryland Athletics. This year, she served as an Instructor and Teaching Assistant for the Geographical Sciences Department.
"Receiving the Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is an honor," said Barnsdale. "I am extremely thankful to the M Club for this scholarship and for everything they do for UMD student-athletes past and present. This scholarship will aid me financially in continuing through the Ph.D. program and will help me towards my goal of making a difference in understanding malaria in Africa."
"Receiving the Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is an honor," said Barnsdale. "I am extremely thankful to the M Club for this scholarship and for everything they do for UMD student-athletes past and present. This scholarship will aid me financially in continuing through the Ph.D. program and will help me towards my goal of making a difference in understanding malaria in Africa."
Broadbent, a native of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, graduated from Maryland in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She is pursuing a Master's in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego. She played four years of soccer with the Terrapins from 2018-21. In College Park, she served as a Terp Academics Communications Intern at the Gossett Center for Academics and Personal Excellence as well as being a Communications Intern for Maryland Made. She was also a part of the Maryland Made Leadership Academic and the InTERPship program.
"I am so grateful to be awarded the Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Broadbent. "Not only will it give me more flexibility to focus on school and gaining work experience, but it will also help me be more financially stable as I graduate and start looking for a full time position."
"I am so grateful to be awarded the Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Broadbent. "Not only will it give me more flexibility to focus on school and gaining work experience, but it will also help me be more financially stable as I graduate and start looking for a full time position."
Lacasse, a native of Bolton, Connecticut, has been a four-year member of the Terrapin gymnastics program. She will graduate from Maryland this spring with a degree in Biological Sciences. At Maryland, she was a Gossett Fellow, member of the Maryland Made Mentorship Program, member of SAAC as well as part of the Fellowship of Christian Student-Athletes and the TerpTHON Student Fundraiser. She also volunteered for the Team IMPACT Walk, SAAC Canned Food Drive and Terps Against Hunger. Away from Maryland, she worked as a Radiology Intern and Student Shadow at Manchester Memorial Hospital in Connecticut and a Medical Office Intern for Dr. Vipul Dua in South Windsor, Connecticut.
"Being one of the 2023 Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipients is an incredible honor," said Lacasse. "Words cannot express how grateful I am to the M Club and Terps alumni for helping me to continue to pursue my academic career. This scholarship allows me to focus solely on school and helps keep a little bit of the Terps with me as I continue to reach my goals. I am forever thankful for all the M Club has done to support student-athletes and know they are all rooting for me to succeed in all my future endeavors."
"Being one of the 2023 Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship recipients is an incredible honor," said Lacasse. "Words cannot express how grateful I am to the M Club and Terps alumni for helping me to continue to pursue my academic career. This scholarship allows me to focus solely on school and helps keep a little bit of the Terps with me as I continue to reach my goals. I am forever thankful for all the M Club has done to support student-athletes and know they are all rooting for me to succeed in all my future endeavors."
Leonard has been a four-year member of Maryland's competitive cheerleading program. She is earning a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing this spring as well as a B.A., in Operations Management and Business from the Smith Business School. She is pursuing the Master's in Marketing Analytics in 2024. At Maryland, she served as an intern in the Marketing Strategy and Fan Experience office. She has worked as an intern for CTRL Systems Inc. in Global Marketing and for Giant Food as an eCommerce Merchandising Analyst. She is currently a graduate intern for the Hilton Honors Strategic Partnerships in McLean, Virginia.
"I am so honored to receive the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Leonard. "Over the course of four years, Maryland Athletics has shaped me into the individual I am today. I am ending my college athletic career on a high with this scholarship and cannot wait to take everything I have learned, from both the good and challenging times, and apply them to my future. This scholarship is a reminder of all the support, memories, and relationships I have gained through Maryland Athletics. As I continue my education, this scholarship allows me to pursue my career aspirations and polish my technical skills by earning a M.S. in Marketing Analytics. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I cannot wait to see where the future takes me!."
"I am so honored to receive the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship," said Leonard. "Over the course of four years, Maryland Athletics has shaped me into the individual I am today. I am ending my college athletic career on a high with this scholarship and cannot wait to take everything I have learned, from both the good and challenging times, and apply them to my future. This scholarship is a reminder of all the support, memories, and relationships I have gained through Maryland Athletics. As I continue my education, this scholarship allows me to pursue my career aspirations and polish my technical skills by earning a M.S. in Marketing Analytics. Thank you so much for this opportunity, I cannot wait to see where the future takes me!."
Pherson, who lives in Pasadena, Maryland, earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biological Sciences and Psychology from Maryland in 2006. She went on to receive a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore in 2011. At Maryland, she was a member of the Competitive Cheer program. Currently, Pherson is pursuing a PGY1/PGY2 Pharmacotherapy Residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Since 2017 Pherson has served as Assistant Director in the Medication Use Policy and Clinical Informatics at Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore.
"Pursuing a Masters in Business Administration is an important next step in continuing to advance my career goals, said Pherson. "Receiving M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship provides me with the additional financial support necessary to assist with balancing my family responsibilities with my professional goals. I look forward to this opportunity to obtain a graduate degree and am grateful for the support of this scholarship in allowing me to pursue the expansion of my professional credentials."
"Pursuing a Masters in Business Administration is an important next step in continuing to advance my career goals, said Pherson. "Receiving M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship provides me with the additional financial support necessary to assist with balancing my family responsibilities with my professional goals. I look forward to this opportunity to obtain a graduate degree and am grateful for the support of this scholarship in allowing me to pursue the expansion of my professional credentials."
Tolson, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, played goalkeeper for the Terrapins from 2019-21. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Theatre and Communications at Maryland while minoring in Business. She has pursued a career in theater acting in various productions in the likes of: By The Way, Meet Vera Stark, Stick Fly, Hookman, Orlando, Shiny and Bright, Tiny Ruins and Breath, Boom. She has also been on-camera in productions of Likewise: Holiday and YUBO. At Maryland, she was a part of: Stanislavski Technique, Linklater Technique, Archetypal Voice Training and Shakespeare, Musical Theatre Golden Age and Musical Theater Contemporary.
"Receiving this prestigious scholarship is truly an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity it presents. The significance of this scholarship extends far beyond financial assistance, as it will have a profound impact on my future endeavors," said Tolson. "First and foremost, the scholarship relieves a significant burden from my shoulders. Living in California, particularly in the San Diego area which is the second most expensive metro area in the United States, presents numerous financial challenges. Though my tuition is waived and I will be doing a graduate assistantship, the exorbitant costs of food and rent have often been a source of stress that would likely divert my attention from my academic pursuits and artistic aspirations. However, with the Rodman scholarship, I will have the peace of mind to know that these essential needs are partially taken care of. This financial stability will allow me to focus more wholeheartedly on my studies, enhancing my overall academic performance.
"The Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship signifies more than just financial assistance—it represents the recognition of my dedication, hard work, and potential as a student, athlete, and artist. Knowing that esteemed individuals believe in my abilities and have chosen to invest in my future fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and motivation. This recognition will fuel my determination to excel academically, push the boundaries of my artistic capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to my field.
"Receiving the Rodman postgraduate scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. This scholarship will relieve the financial burden associated with living in a high-cost area, allowing me to concentrate on my studies and artistic pursuits. I am confident that the support provided by the scholarship will facilitate my growth as a student and artist, ultimately shaping a brighter future for me."
"Receiving this prestigious scholarship is truly an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity it presents. The significance of this scholarship extends far beyond financial assistance, as it will have a profound impact on my future endeavors," said Tolson. "First and foremost, the scholarship relieves a significant burden from my shoulders. Living in California, particularly in the San Diego area which is the second most expensive metro area in the United States, presents numerous financial challenges. Though my tuition is waived and I will be doing a graduate assistantship, the exorbitant costs of food and rent have often been a source of stress that would likely divert my attention from my academic pursuits and artistic aspirations. However, with the Rodman scholarship, I will have the peace of mind to know that these essential needs are partially taken care of. This financial stability will allow me to focus more wholeheartedly on my studies, enhancing my overall academic performance.
"The Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship signifies more than just financial assistance—it represents the recognition of my dedication, hard work, and potential as a student, athlete, and artist. Knowing that esteemed individuals believe in my abilities and have chosen to invest in my future fills me with a profound sense of gratitude and motivation. This recognition will fuel my determination to excel academically, push the boundaries of my artistic capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to my field.
"Receiving the Rodman postgraduate scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity. This scholarship will relieve the financial burden associated with living in a high-cost area, allowing me to concentrate on my studies and artistic pursuits. I am confident that the support provided by the scholarship will facilitate my growth as a student and artist, ultimately shaping a brighter future for me."
Zeckowski, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, competed in pole vault for the Maryland track and field program from 2018-23. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy from Maryland this spring. She has various related professional experiences working with the Airport Bird Strikes Story Map Capstone, Lights Our UMD, Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge, The Waterbird Society, the Patuxent Wildlife Center BBL, Bird Banding Group, and with the Colonial Waterbird Research program. Zeckowski's story of perseverance has been recognized as she was a 2021 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award recipient, honoring student-athletes who have overcome great personal, academic, and/or emotional odds to achieve academic success while participating in intercollegiate athletics. Zeckowski was diagnosed with Moyamoya Disease (MMD), which is a rare and progressive disease that affects the major arteries and blood vessels in the brain. After undergoing surgery in 2020, she returned to school and has thrived both academically and athletically.
"I am thrilled to receive this scholarship through the M Cub for the Postgraduate Rodman Scholarship," said Zeckowski. "It will be a help to me and my family as I pave the way through graduate school getting my master's in Geographic Information Systems."
"I am thrilled to receive this scholarship through the M Cub for the Postgraduate Rodman Scholarship," said Zeckowski. "It will be a help to me and my family as I pave the way through graduate school getting my master's in Geographic Information Systems."
The M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship was established in 2006 with a $260K gift in the form of a life insurance policy for Leonard Rodman, a former Maryland Boxer and graduate of the class of 1943. Since his death, Rodman's endowment has allowed the M Club to award nearly $250,000 in postgraduate scholarship support to 46 Maryland student-athletes to continue their education. In 2012, Rodman was inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame posthumously for meritorious service in recognition of his lifelong commitment to Maryland student-athletes. Rodman's son, Roy, and grandson, Nolan, now continue his legacy of Athletes Helping Athletes through their ongoing generous support of the M Club and Maryland Athletics.
Players Mentioned
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Pole Vault
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