FRISCO, Texas – LSU New Orleans beach volleyball student-athlete Olivia Salgado and Northwestern State baseball student-athlete John Acosta have been awarded the 2026 F.L. McDonald Postgraduate Scholarships, the conference office announced Thursday.
 
The F.L. McDonald Scholarship is the league’s ultimate academic honor for graduating student-athletes. The award is presented annually to one female and one male graduating student-athlete upon selection by the Southland Conference Faculty Athletic Representative Committee. The $5,000 scholarship must be applied to graduate study at an institution of the recipient’s choice.
 
The award was established in 1996 in memory of Dr. F.L. McDonald, a former president of Lamar University and 1999 Southland Hall of Honor inductee. McDonald was serving as Lamar's president in 1963 when the Southland Conference was established. He is considered one of the league's founding fathers.
 
Salgado and Acosta were chosen from a pool of fellow classmates and graduated student-athletes. Applicants must have at least a 3.75 GPA and have lettered at least two seasons at the nominating institution. Each recipient must enroll in a full-time graduate program within one year of receiving the award.
 
John Acosta, Northwestern State
Acosta, a right-handed pitcher for Demons' baseball, completed 300 hours of scientific research through the JOVE Program, serving as Research Team Leader and presenting on bacteriophages and prebiotics in April 2024 and 2025. He was selected for the President’s Leadership Program and co-organized the "Demons After Dark" campus event, promoting safer social alternatives on campus. Acosta completed 700 hours of event coordination for the Office of First Year Experience, and recorded 78 hours of community service through the Volunteers In Progress program.

Olivia Salgado, LSU New Orleans
Salgado tallied seven wins in her senior season with LSU New Orleans beach volleyball. Additionally, she exercised standout leadership as the Vice President of the SAAC. She helped in establishing SAAC within the Student Government Association, using this platform advocate for student-athlete mental health, and spearhead major campus life initiatives including the BrUNO athletic banquet.