Three Tech student-athletes earn ACC postgraduate scholarships

Buscaglia, Johnston and Owens to receive $5,000 to go toward postgraduate education

February 22, 2017

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Three Virginia Tech student-athletes were honored by Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford on Wednesday as recipients of the 2017 Weaver-James-Corrigan Award. The three are swimmer Caroline Buscaglia, women’s soccer player Marie Johnston and volleyball standout Lindsey Owens, and they are among 54 student-athletes in the ACC to receive this honor.

The Weaver-James-Corrigan and Jim and Pat Thacker postgraduate scholarships are awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree following completion of their undergraduate requirements. Each recipient will receive $5,000 toward his or her graduate education. Those honored have performed with distinction in both the classroom and their respective sport, while demonstrating exemplary conduct in the community.

The Weaver-James-Corrigan Award is named in honor of the late Jim Weaver and Bob James, as well as Gene Corrigan, the first three ACC commissioners.

The student-athletes will be honored at the annual Cone Health ACC Postgraduate Luncheon presented by ESPN on April 12 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel Imperial Ballroom in Greensboro. The Nat Greene Kiwanis Club serves as the hosts.

For more information on ACC postgraduate scholarship recipients, please click here.

Here is more information on each of the Virginia Tech recipients:

Caroline Buscaglia (political science and psychology; Midlothian, Virginia) – Buscaglia earned four letters as a member of the Tech women’s swimming and diving team, and she also excelled academically. She earned a spot on the ACC’s All-Academic Women’s Swimming and Diving Team in 2015, and in both 2014 and 2015, she was on the athletics department’s All-Academic team as the women’s swimmer with the top grade-point average. She entered the spring semester of her final year with a GPA better than 3.90. A year ago, the athletics department recognized her as one of four Scholar Athletes of the Year.

Buscaglia has volunteered in various capacities while at Tech. She served as the women’s swimming representative to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She also volunteered at multiple swimming camps over the course of her career. In addition, she volunteered last fall as a marshal for the local Color Me Rad run that raises money for Special Olympics.

Last summer, Buscaglia worked as an intern for U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, helping constituents and working as a legislative researcher. She graduates this May with degrees in political science and psychology, and after graduation, she wants to work in Richmond at the state or federal government level for a year before going to law school. Eventually, she wants to pursue a career in government, perhaps as a chief of staff, a judge or a lobbyist.

Marie Johnston (human nutrition, foods and exercise; Midlothian, Virginia) – Johnston competed on the Tech women’s track and field team for two seasons before joining the women’s soccer team as a walk-on last spring. She started eight games as a defender last fall and was part of a team that finished 11-5-3.

Johnston stands as one of the smartest student-athletes at Tech, as her GPA hovers near a 4.0. She is a member of the executive team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as a member of the Phi Sigma National Honors Society – a society devoted to the promotion of research and academic excellence in the biological sciences. She volunteers at Warm Hearth Village, a retirement community in Blacksburg with facilities for active adults, those needing assistance and those needing specialized care. She worked with dementia patients once a week.

Johnston graduates this May with a degree in human nutrition, foods and exercise. In August, she will be attending the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine on her way toward becoming a doctor of osteopathic medicine. She eventually wants to provide medical care to those in under-served areas.

Lindsey Owens (biological sciences; Orlando, Florida) – Owens concluded her playing career as one of the greatest players in school history, having earned All-ACC honors on four occasions – including two first-team nods. She left as one of just seven players in program history with 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for her career.

Owens also excels in the classroom, having earned a spot on the ACC’s All-Academic Volleyball Team on three occasions. In the community, she was a part of several initiatives, including Cannonball Kicks Cancer (raised money for pediatric cancer research), Equine Angels (equestrian ranch for disabled and troubled youths) and No Hokie Left Behind (awareness for making safe social choices).

Owens eventually wants to be a veterinarian and work with exotic animals. She shadowed a veterinarian two summers ago in her hometown, and last summer, she spent two weeks in Thailand as part of a Loop Abroad program, working at an elephant reserve and an animal rescue shelter. She graduates this May with a degree in biological sciences and a minor in animal and poultry science, and she is in the process of applying to veterinary schools.

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