John Carroll University becomes 27th partner university
GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Western Golf Association’s (WGA) acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) and John Carroll University (JCU) have formed a partnership, making JCU the organization’s 27th partner school, leaders have announced.
The announcement took place on Thursday, Jan. 9, during the Evans Scholars Selection Meeting at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio. A group of WGA and university officials were in attendance, including WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski and Bill Donnelly, who is Chair of John Carroll’s Board of Directors and has been an instrumental part of establishing the partnership.
The inaugural class of Evans Scholars will begin attending JCU in University Heights, Ohio, in the fall of 2026, and Scholars will reside together in a residence hall on campus. It is expected that up to 50 students will eventually attend JCU.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with JCU,” said Kaczkowski. “JCU provides an excellent option for students who are looking for a smaller institution, and its tradition of strong academic outcomes align with the outstanding achievements of our Scholars.”
Recently recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the ESF provides full housing and tuition college scholarships to student golf caddies who come from limited financial means. The addition of JCU is part of an ongoing expansion plan nationwide for the Evans Scholars Program.
“Our Board of Directors could not be more pleased to see this Evans Scholars partnership come to fruition,” Donnelly said. “We are proud to be associated with such an admirable and respected program, and we are committed to the success of each scholarship recipient who attends John Carroll.”
To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, students must display outstanding records of caddying, academics, and character and leadership. Currently, 1,190 students nationwide are attending 24 leading universities on the Evans Scholarship.
“We are honored to be chosen as an Evans Scholarship partner and look forward to helping these remarkable student caddies achieve their academic and personal aspirations,” added JCU President Alan R. Miciak, Ph.D. “This program exemplifies our shared commitment to fostering leadership and service and providing access to education for students in need.”
A unique component of the Evans Scholars Program is the positive community living experience provided to students living together on campus. Community living teaches students valuable life skills in communication, leadership, mentoring, and provides a strong sense of community.
Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a 98 percent graduation rate. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 95 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.
Since the ESF was founded in 1930, it has helped more than 12,285 young men and women graduate from college, with Alumni going on to become top leaders in their respective fields.