EDISON, NJ – Siena Saints not only graduate, but advance to new heights and successes immediately after leading Loudonville. For the third straight year, Siena Athletics boasted recipients of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) prestigious postgraduate scholarship. Recently graduated Men's Soccer senior
Luke Ferrari and Softball senior
Emma McLaughlin were named the two recipients of the 2023 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarships, the conference announced Monday afternoon.
Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI) provides annual postgraduate scholarships to two former student-athletes from the league's member institutions. The scholarship intends to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school. The pair followed Siena Women's Lacrosse student athlete
Jillian Risavi '22 in receiving the scholarship, and marked the second time in the last three years that both scholarships have been awarded to Siena graduates.
"Congratulations to both Luke and Emma, the two recipients of the 2023 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholarship," said MAAC Commissioner Travis Tellitocci. "They have both embodied the MAAC mantra of excellence in academics and athletics throughout their time at Siena College. As they embark on their postgraduate education and future careers, I wish them both nothing but success. The MAAC would also like to thank BMI for their partnership and continued support of the MAAC and higher education."
As part of the selection process, the committee evaluates athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities, and demonstrated leadership.
A native of Cortlandt Manor, New York, Ferrari made 35 appearances in Green and Gold over four seasons, including three starts on Siena's back line. He logged 684 total minutes and helped the Saints to MAAC Postseason appearances in each of his final three seasons with the team. He earned his B.A. in Economics with a minor in Data Science from Siena in May with a 3.77 cumulative GPA, and was a member of the MAAC All-Academic Team and MAAC Academic Honor Roll through college, as well as a 2022 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Selection.
During his time at Siena, Ferrari was a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Honor Society for Economics, the Siena Financial Management Association, Economics Students Association, and Muslim Students Association. He served as a peer mentor for the "Saints Supporting Saints" tutoring program, and was selected by Siena economics department heads to participate in the Amazon Web Services Mentoring Program during his senior year. Ferrari will pursue his Master's in Business Administration from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia.
"It is an honor to be recognized by the MAAC for this scholarship," Ferrari said. "Thank you very much to the conference & committee for awarding me this opportunity to help fund and further my education."
A four-year member of Siena Softball, McLaughlin made 141 appearances with 127 starts, finishing her collegiate career with 97 hits, 64 RBI's, and having helped the Saints to their first-ever MAAC championship game appearance in 2022. A native of Walnut Creek, California, She graduated from Siena with a Bachelor's in Marketing and a minor in Spanish with a 3.83 cumulative GPA last December, and was a MAAC All-Academic Team and MAAC Academic Honor Roll member throughout her collegiate career. She is also a three-time NFCA Scholar All-America selection and was named to the CSC Softball Academic All-District Team. McLaughlin was a member of the Siena Spanish Club and served as a Student Academic Success Tutor during her time at Siena. She will pursue her MBA at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.
"As I embark on the next chapter of my journey at Notre Dame, it is an honor to be representing the MAAC and Siena College as one of the recipients of the Bob McCloskey Postgraduate Scholarship," McLaughlin said. "This award goes beyond myself, as it is a testament to the athletic and academic successes I shared with many members of the Siena and MAAC communities. It means so much to me that four years of hard work and accomplishments have been recognized, allowing me this platform to make the MAAC and Siena proud on my next adventure."
