ELMSFORD, N.Y. - After graduating from Fairfield University in May, more school lies ahead for Joe Trucchio, an MGA caddie scholar from Wykagyl Country Club in New Rochelle, N.Y. Trucchio, who is back at Wykagyl for the summer, will head to the Cooper Medical School at Rowan University in Camden, N.J., this fall.

Trucchio’s interest in the medical field began in high school chemistry, where he completed a project about diabetes, specifically how Type 1 and Type 2 affect the human body. That ignited a desire to learn more about how biology and chemistry interact within the body, which led him to major in biochemistry and pursue pre-med at Fairfield.

It wasn't until his sophomore year when he was part of a living-learning community that he discovered his purpose. The Ignatian Residential College at Fairfield got him on the leadership path, combining academics, mentorship, and service with residential activities to encourage each student to reflect on the person they are and who they desire to become. Sophomores have the option to choose three tracks: leadership, creative life, or service for justice.

“What I found was that I enjoyed being a leader,” Trucchio says. “I liked community service and serving people. For me, educating another person is the best way to volunteer your help.”

During the following summer, Trucchio participated in a four-month shadow program at Northern Westchester Hospital. During one of his rotations, he worked with a cardiologist and connected his time at the residential college to the medical field and discovered his ideal career path.

After observing surgeries, Trucchio was invited into the operating room and stood shoulder to shoulder with the cardiologist – a rare experience for a student. During surgery, the cardiologist even asked for his opinion.

“In that moment, I felt that my calling through the residential college connected perfectly,” Trucchio says. “I felt in control of the role, in true leadership, doing a service to the person on the table, and I had control of how I was helping this person. Afterward, I was sold on what I wanted to do.”

Trucchio has caddied at Wykagyl since he was 14, getting introduced to the game through the role. He was an active kid, but golf wasn’t on his radar until an uncle of a friend introduced him to Wykagyl caddie manager Mike Lippoth.

In addition to a job, Trucchio came to enjoy the sense of community and networking opportunities provided through caddying at Wykagyl, such as landing a coveted spot in a beach house at Fairfield for his senior year.

“Caddieing at Wykagyl is a great job, great community,” he says. “I am fortunate to have had this opportunity fall into my lap. It’s like an in-person LinkedIn. The members make every four-hour round of golf interesting.”

Between the support of Wykagyl members and the MGA Caddie Scholarship Fund, Trucchio had the ability to choose the school that fit him best. He looked at other schools, but the scholarship allowed him to make a college choice based on fit, not just financial considerations.

“The scholarship I got for caddieing was a huge relief off our backs,” Trucchio says. “It's indirectly and directly a reason why I saw success as an undergrad and why I got into medical school.”