Rosemont, IL – Maryland women's lacrosse player Shaylan Ahearn and wrestler Garrett Kappess have been awarded a 2024 Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship. The Big Ten Conference office honors student-athletes from each of the 14 Big Ten member institutions who plan to continue their education at a graduate degree program were each awarded a $7,500 scholarship, based primarily on academic achievements.

Ahearn, the 2023 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, graduated in May with degrees in psychology and communication. During her time at Maryland, she collected many academic accolades in addition to her on-field success. She was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and three-time selection as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. As a distinguished scholar, Ahearn maintained a 3.7 or higher grade point average throughout each academic year. 

Kappes, a Bowie, MD native, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology this past spring. During his four years at Maryland, Kappes was heavily involved on campus, especially with Maryland Made. He took part in Gossett Fellows this year and also served on the SAAC Executive Board as the Director of Wellness. Kappes also spent a month in each of the past two summers in Malaysia as part of the FCA Global Impact cohort. He plans to attend physical therapy school in the future. 

Each Big Ten institution developed its own on-campus selection process when awarding the scholarships. Student-athletes must have maintained at least a 3.2 grade-point average (GPA), demonstrated leadership qualities, served as an excellent role model and intended to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree at a graduate degree program.

The Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship will be used to pay expenses of the student's postgraduate education to include such related activities as research and teaching, as well as other expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board, required course-related supplies and books. To retain the scholarship, the recipient must be accepted into a full-time graduate degree program within three years from the fall semester after selection.