Luke Vander Woude and Lucy Pennefather have been named the recipients of Christendom College’s prestigious Thomas S. Vander Woude Athletic Memorial Scholarship for the Class of 2029. Honored for both their athletic skill and Christ-like leadership on and off the field, they will compete “for the love of the game and the glory of God” as student-athletes when they arrive on campus this fall.
The scholarship is named in memory of Thomas S. Vander Woude, the college’s beloved Director of Athletics, who gave his life to save his son in 2008. In his honor, Christendom annually awards incoming student-athletes who demonstrate strong character, academic dedication, and a commitment to leadership through sports.
For Luke Vander Woude, the legacy is deeply personal—Thomas was his grandfather. Inspired by his example, Luke has worked to excel both in the classroom and in athletics, embracing the values his grandfather lived out during his time as a coach at Christendom.
A native of Nokesville, Virginia, Vander Woude attended Seton School, where he competed in basketball, soccer, and tennis. He sought a college that would challenge him academically and athletically, without compromising his Catholic faith. Following in the footsteps of his father and three siblings, including previous scholarship winner John Paul Vander Woude ’24, he found that Christendom was the perfect fit.
“When I visited, I experienced a Catholic culture and community that was full of joy,” says Vander Woude. “Especially on the basketball team, each guy was having fun while working their hardest and encouraging each other to push harder. The Catholic environment that I experienced at Christendom and specifically on the men’s basketball team is the reason why I am attending Christendom College.”
Like Vander Woude, Lucy Pennefather is also continuing a family legacy at Christendom. Her mother, along with her uncle and three aunts, attended the college, as did her siblings Ann ’19 and Mary ’27. A graduate of Seton High School, Pennefather competed in basketball, tennis, swim, and softball, and saw Christendom as the natural next step in her academic and athletic journey.
“I chose Christendom because of its counter-cultural campus life and its pursuit of truth through both logic and faith in all aspects of learning,” says Pennefather.
This fall, she hopes to follow her sister Mary’s example by making an impact on the basketball court and helping lead the team to a third national championship—while growing intellectually and spiritually in Christendom’s passionately Catholic environment.
To learn more about the Thomas S. Vander Woude Athletic Memorial Scholarship, visit here.
To help support the Thomas S. Vander Woude Athletic Memorial Scholarship Endowment, visit here.