New House offers needed improvements, increases capacity to 90 Scholars

MADISON, WI – The Evans Scholars Foundation and the University of Wisconsin celebrated the opening of the completely rebuilt Evans Scholars Scholarship House at Wisconsin with a dedication ceremony on Oct. 19.

Wisconsin Evans Scholars and their families joined Western Golf Association officials, members of the University of Wisconsin administration, Evans Scholars Alumni and Program supporters for the special open house event at the new Scholarship House at 155 Langdon Street in Madison.

The 28,000-square-foot Scholarship House – which occupies the same property as the previous Wisconsin Evans Scholarship House – features five levels of enhanced spaces for studying and recreation. In addition to creating a state-of-the-art living and learning environment, the project increased the potential capacity of the House to 90 Scholars.

“This Scholarship House will extend the tradition of excellence established by Evans Scholars at this prestigious university,” said Western Golf Association Chairman Frank Morley. “It represents a tremendous opportunity not only for the students attending Wisconsin this year, but for generations of promising caddies to come.”

In 1953, Wisconsin became the fourth university to have an Evans Scholars chapter. There are 69 Evans Scholars enrolled at the university this year, and 1,025 men and women have graduated from the Evans Scholars Program at Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Evans Scholars are among a record group of 1,010 students attending 18 leading universities nationwide on full tuition and housing Evans Scholarships this year. Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding leadership and character.

They maintain a cumulative 3.3 GPA and graduate at a rate of 95 percent. The majority of Evans Scholars at the University of Wisconsin come from the state of Wisconsin.

“Everything that this program represents is what we want for all of our students,” said Dr. Lori Reesor, the University of Wisconsin’s Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “The bottom line for a student to be successful and achieve at UW-Madison is for them to feel like they belong. This community, this organization, is what that’s about.”

Michael Calkins, of Franklin, Wisconsin, serves as the chapter’s president. A senior majoring in pre-law who caddied at Tuckaway Country Club, Calkins has helped his fellow Scholars make the transition into the Scholarship House this year.

“We’re so grateful to have this opportunity to utilize the investment the Evans Scholars Foundation has made in our chapter,” Calkins said. “As the Evans Scholars Program expands, we look forward to welcoming more young caddies into our community.”

Wisconsin State Representatives Scott Krug and Chris Taylor kicked off the dedication ceremony by reading a special proclamation on behalf of the state of Wisconsin.

The new Scholarship House is part of an ongoing effort to expand the Evans Scholars Program from coast to coast and award more Evans Scholarships. In the past year, the Program has opened new Scholarship Houses at the University of Washington, University of Kansas and Penn State University.