M Club Announces 2024 Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships
This year’s senior recipients are Leksana Andrews ’22 (Gymnastics), Sara Cohn ’22 (Women’s Basketball Manager), Katie Dustin ’22 (Softball), and Christine Laurie ’22 (Track & Field). The four alumni recipients are Noah Barnes ’20 (Football), Nadia Hackett ’21 (Track & Field), Chloe Prejean ’21 (Volleyball) and Caleb Walls ’20 (Baseball).
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 2024, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, must not be an active member of a college athletics roster in the 2024-2023 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 exemplifies our mission of ‘Athletes Helping Athletes,'” said Executive Director of the M Club and Director of Alumni Engagement Laura Chiriaco. “We are proud to award $ 40,000 in postgraduate scholarships to deserving student-athletes this year, which is the most we have ever awarded in a single year. I want to thank our selection committee, composed of former Maryland student-athletes, for their time and dedication to selecting this year’s winners.Thank you to all of this year’s applicants for sharing your stories about how your experience as a student-athlete shaped your career development.And thank you to the Rodman family for making this scholarship possible through your generous support of the M Club. Congratulations to this year’s winners! ”
“We are thrilled to be able to offer scholarships to record a high number of eight recipients for our M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarships this year,” said Marjorie Baker (Track & Field ’02), chair of the selection committee. “They are an extremely deserving group that embodied exactly what it meant to be a University of Maryland student-athlete. Our committee was so impressed with how each individual truly took advantage of all that Maryland offers on the field, in the classroom, and through The many leadership opportunities offered through UM.We loved how they told stories about how their time at Maryland truly shaped who they were as individuals or how it shed light on their future career paths.Our recipients include past Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) Presidents and Representatives, Pre-Health Terps, Gossett Fellows, and InTERPship participants, and they represent all competitive seasons.They are truly Maryland Made and we are proud to be able to support them in their next chapter for post-secondary education as they carry on as Terps for Life.We wish them the very best of luck and feel fortunate to live our motto of “Athletes Helping Athletes” as we help them pursue their post-graduate goa ls. ”
“Receiving the M Club’s Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship means so much to me,” Andrews said. “It does not only represent the support of all the former Terps who came before me, but it will also lessen the burden of my graduate education. I am so honored and grateful for the M Club members who are invested and committed to giving back to current student-athletes. Being a part of this program has taught me many valuable lessons and skills that I will be taking with me on my future endeavors. Thank you all for believing in me and supporting me at Maryland and beyond. ”
Sara Cohn, a four-year manager for the women’s basketball team, will earn two degrees in psychology and family science from the University of Maryland. Cohn worked with the program throughout her time as a student. She traveled with the team to road contests, help organize meals and transportation. In the 2020-21 year, Cohn was included in the team’s roster list for daily COVID-19 testing.
“Being the first manager to receive this M Club Rodman scholarship is beyond meaningful to me,” Cohn said. “This scholarship is a huge help to my family and I, and I am so grateful that I will be able to take a piece of Maryland Athletics with me into the next chapter in my life.”
“To me, receiving the M Club Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship is an absolute honor,” Dustin said. “I completed a summer internship with the M Club in 2020, and fell in love with the organization. It is so heartwarming to be selected to receive this scholarship, and I can’t thank the M Club enough for helping me in the next stages of my life outside of Maryland! ”
“I am incredibly thankful for the M Club and Terp Alumni for the Rodman Scholarship,” Laurie said. “Earning this scholarship will help me achieve my goal of attending Physical Therapy school in September.”
Noah Barnes, an Auburn, Alabama native, earned a degree in Kinesiology at the University of Maryland. Barnes played three seasons on the Terrapin football team and was named Academic All-Big Ten all three years. He appeared in 31 games as a tight end during his playing career and was also a contributor on multiple special teams units. Barnes is currently pursuing his MS in Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences at Georgetown University.
“I’m very honored to receive the M Club’s Rodman Postgraduate Scholarship,” Barnes said. “This scholarship exemplifies the support and encouragement Maryland Athletics provides for all Terps – past, present, and future. I am so proud to call myself an alum of such a distinguished and special university and I cannot thank the Maryland Club enough for their award, which I will use to help fund the final leg of my master’s program here at Georgetown University. ”
“I am very thankful to be awarded the M Club Rodman scholarship,” Hackett said. “The University of Maryland has been an integral part of my development as a student-athlete and has truly shown me the importance of community and mentorship. I am excited to use this award to help fund my post-graduate studies.”
Chloe Prejean, a Clear Spring, Maryland, native earned a degree in kinesiology at the University of Maryland. Prejean, a setter for Maryland volleyball, was a three-year letterwinner for the Terps. Over the course of her career, she not only demonstrated great skill and work ethic on the floor, but also earned a trio of Academic All-Big Ten honors.
“I am extremely grateful for my coaches, advisors, and the entire athletic and academic staff at The University of Maryland,” Prejean said. They helped me develop skills such as leadership, empathy, and collaboration that will greatly help in my future healthcare career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. It is an honor to receive the M Club Rodman Scholarship, and I will use this opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others. ”
Caleb Walls, a State College, Pa, native earned a degree in economics at the University of Maryland. Walls played the 2019 season at Maryland, hitting four home runs and driving 16 runs in. He made 47 starts in left field.
“I am incredibly grateful to receive the M Club Rodman Postgrad Scholarship,” Wells said. “Playing for Coach Vaughn, Coach Papio, Coach Muscara and Coach Swope changed my life. When I began my journey as a Student-Athlete I never imagined I would end as a Terp. After being a year removed from Maryland Laura contacted me about the M Club Scholarship.It is truly amazing that Maryland is still finding ways to impact my life.The Rodman Scholarship is a testament to the fact that we are all Terps for life.Thank you to the members of the M Club that have made this possible. Go Terps! ”
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.
