Evans Scholars Foundation to open Scholarship House at University of Oregon
The Evans Scholars Foundation has selected the University of Oregon as the site for a Scholarship House, the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, and the first new Scholarship House to be established by the Western Golf Association in 27 years. The University of Oregon was selected to join 14 other universities nationwide that are residential sites for Evans Scholars.
“We are delighted to welcome these promising scholars into our campus community, and we are deeply appreciative of the Western Golf Association’s recognition of the transformative power of higher education,” said University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson. “Expanding access to the highest-quality educational experience is central to our academic mission.”
Evans Scholars must have worked as caddies for at least two years and are selected based on a combination of need and merit. The scholarship will provide tuition and housing for up to 50 scholarship recipients who will live together as they pursue their degrees.
The university has been an Evans Scholars site since David Gault became the first Evans Scholar at the UO in the class of 1960. The university currently has 12 Evans Scholars. In 2015, the Evans Scholars Program at the University of Oregon will begin expanding to an eventual 50 scholars and will provide housing in Eugene for all UO Evans Scholars. Each Evans Scholars award is valued at $70,000 over four years and the total scholarship commitment for a four-year cohort of UO Evans Scholars will be approximately $3.5 million.
Each year, the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA), Oregon Golf Association (OGA), Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) and Western Golf Association (WGA) Directors conduct two first-class fundraising events consisting of a day filled with golf during which current Evans Scholars caddie for participants, gourmet dinner, and upscale silent and live auction items. Over $8 million has been raised by these Associations at these fundraisers, with the funds helping to support the region’s Evans Scholars who attend universities on a four-year, full tuition and housing scholarship.
“We’re honored and elated to be entering into this partnership with such a prestigious institution,” said John Kaczkowski, president and CEO of the Western Golf Association. “The University of Oregon is synonymous with excellence in education, and we’re pleased that our future Pacific Northwest Evans Scholars will benefit from all the university has to offer.”
Established by famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930, the Evans Scholars Foundation provides scholarships to deserving students across the country who have worked as caddies. Currently, 840 caddies at 19 universities nationwide are attending college on scholarship, and there are more than 9,800 Evans alumni across the country.
“The University of Oregon is thrilled that the Western Golf Association selected the UO as the sole Evans Scholars site in the Pacific Northwest,” said Roger Thompson, vice president for Enrollment Management. “The University of Oregon has produced almost 200 Evans Scholars alumni since the program began on campus almost 60 years ago. This program provides countless Oregonians with educational opportunities. We look forward to expanding the program’s impact and its legacy for many years to come.”
Headquartered in Golf, Ill., the Western Golf Association conducts four national golf championships, including the BMW Championship, which is part of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup playoffs, and sponsors the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship Program.
The Evans Scholars Program is funded by contributions from more than 26,000 WGA Evans Scholars Par Club members nationwide, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. For more information on the Evans Scholars Foundation, visit www.wgaesf.org.
