Finn Earns Remembrance Scholarship
5/4/2009 5:18:24 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Eileen Finn, a member of the women's lacrosse team, is a 2009-10 Remembrance Scholar. One of 35 students to earn the distinction, Finn is a dual major in television, radio and film and sport management.
The scholarships, among the most prestigious awarded by the University, were founded as a tribute to – and means of remembering – the 35 students who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The students, who were returning from a semester of study abroad in London and Florence, were among 270 people who perished in the bombing.
“To be one of 35 students to earn this award is amazing,” Finn said. “I love what this program does to keep the victims' memory alive. One of the reasons I chose Syracuse is because of the community and the feeling of family that exists here. The Remembrance Scholarships just shows what kind of community and family we have.”
Finn, a native of Southington, Conn., is a two-year starter on defense for the Orange. She helped Syracuse to 13 wins this season and a share of the BIG EAST regular-season title. Finn started 13 games and picked up 17 ground balls before suffering a shoulder injury in the regular-season contest against Notre Dame. Last season, Finn started 20 games as the Orange won a school-record 18 games, won the conference regular-season and tournament championships, and advanced to the NCAA semifinals for the first time in school history.
Away from the field, Finn is active on campus and in the community. She is a member of the Sport Management Club and University 100, and will serve as vice president of Syracuse's Student-Athlete Council next year. As a freshman, Finn took part in a trip sponsored by the St. Thomas More Catholic Center on campus to New Orleans to help with recovery from Hurricane Katrina. In addition, she has taken part in many 'Cuse Cares community service projects, including visiting the Children's Hospital and Elmcrest Children's Center.
“Earning a Remembrance Scholarship is an outstanding accomplishment for Eileen,” said head coach Gary Gait. “She epitomizes what we look for in student-athletes.”
It marks the third straight year that a Syracuse student-athlete has been chosen as a Remembrance Scholar. Jillian Drouin was selected in 2007-08, while Nana Sang-Bender earned the honor in 2008-09. Both were members of the track & field team.
Remembrance Scholars are chosen in their junior year through a rigorous and competitive process. Applicants for the $5,000 scholarship were asked to highlight their University activities, including community service. Each applicant also wrote an essay and was interviewed by members of the selection committee, composed of University faculty, staff and students.
"It is an honor to be part of the process of selecting our new Remembrance Scholars from among a truly remarkable pool of students," said Suzanne Thorin, dean of libraries and University librarian and chair of the Remembrance Scholar Selection Committee. "They all represent the hopes and dreams of classmates lost, and remind us of humankind's capacity to turn unspeakable tragedy into a celebration of life."
The 2009-10 Remembrance Scholars will be recognized during a November convocation.
