IPO News

UMass Amherst student Lucas La Guardia prepares for a show

La Guardia Awarded Barbara Burn Scholarship

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Lucas La Guardia ’19  is the 2019 Barbara B. Burn Memorial Scholarship recipient. 

The $1,000 scholarship was established in memory of International Programs Office founder Dr. Barbara Burn, who devoted her career to making international education accessible for any student. It is available to any currently enrolled international sophomore, junior, or senior UMass Amherst undergraduate.

La Guardia, a Brazilian native, is majoring in theater at UMass Amherst. “When I heard about the memorial scholarship, I could not help but feel touched by it. I deeply believe that international education must be available to everyone,” he says. “The only way to create a country in which the values of inclusiveness and democracy are centerstage is by inviting people of different backgrounds to come together.”

After graduating this Fall, La Guardia intends to pursue acting full-time. “The future is acting. It’s a great time for film and television,” he says. “It’s very different than it used to be—people are enjoying a lot of movies that previously wouldn’t have been made.”

La Guardia will present his play, Gira! in the Fine Arts Center on April 26 at 8:30 p.m., and April 27 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Free tickets are available ahead of the performance

IPO will be raising money for scholarships like this one during this year's #UMassGives April 29 and 30, including a power hour on April 30 from 2-3 p.m.