Fiona McGowan ’23BS Named Spring 2024 Scholar Athlete

Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences graduate student Fiona McGowan '23BS has received a UMass Spring 2024 Scholar-Athlete award.

The Scholar-Athlete Achievement Award honors one male and one female senior student-athlete who has achieved a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA following the preceding fall semester. In addition to academic achievement, the honoree will have demonstrated superior athletic achievement and team commitment while positively contributing to their team's success.

McGowan led women's lacrosse in assists this season with 53, just three away from setting a new single-season program record in the category; she also leads the Minutewomen in points, with 80 to go along with 27 goals for a team that claimed its 13th consecutive A-10 regular season championship. In addition to receiving this award, McGowan was named Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, USA Lacross Magazine Second-Team All-American, and Mass Student-Athlete Of The Week in March 2024. 

The Westwood, Massachusetts native completed her undergraduate studies last spring, majoring in accounting and computer science. During this time, she earned Dean's List honors nearly every semester and completed with above an A-minus average GPA. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in computer science. "Fiona has balanced extremely challenging courses with being a tremendous force on the lacrosse field," notes MS Program Academic Advisor Elizabeth Parolski. 

"We are so proud that [Fiona is] part of the Manning CICS community," says MS Program Academic Advisor Pamela Stawasz. "She has demonstrated passion and perseverance, showing us that she is a true champion. She is very deserving of this honor today. Congratulations, Fiona, you are a true inspiration in so many ways."

"It means a lot to be recognized for being a student-athlete and my time both on the field and in the classroom," reflects McGowan. "My experience here has never been one without the other, and they've both had a major impact on who I am as a person. I've found support all around campus from the athletic and academic communities and I am extremely grateful. It has made the years I've spent here some of the best of my life."