ESF, South Carolina celebrate new partnership

Evans Scholarship House dedicated during Homecoming festivities

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Leaders from the Evans Scholars Foundation and the University of South Carolina held the official dedication of the new McCausland Scholarship House for Evans Scholars on Friday, Oct. 24, celebrating their new partnership and the inaugural class of Evans Scholars now attending the university.

Organization and university officials, along with donors, Scholars and other guests attended a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by a reception at the President’s House and other weekend Homecoming festivities. The inaugural group of 10 Evans Scholars just moved into the brand new McCausland Scholarship House for Evans Scholars, which occupies a part of Thornwell College and is located on the historic part of the Columbia campus, adjacent to the Horseshoe.

The ESF, which is overseen by the Western Golf Association, provides full housing and tuition scholarships to student caddies who show financial need and academic and leadership excellence. Program leaders announced that the University of South Carolina would be its 26^th partner university in 2024.

The East region continues to be a major area of growth for the Midwestern-based Evans Scholars Program in recent years, and the USC partnership is its “gateway to the Southeast,” organization leaders say. Current Scholars in this first class come from South Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, New Jersey and New York.

In 2011-12, the Program had 825 Evans Scholars in school nationwide, and none on the East Coast. This fall, there are a record 1,260 Scholars enrolled at 27 universities nationwide, including 154 from clubs in the East region.

WGA/ESF leaders are grateful for University President Michael Amiridis and the school leadership, as well as for the generous commitment of the McCausland Foundation for leading the charge at South Carolina. Peter and Bonnie McCausland helped bring all the parties together, enabling the Columbia campus to become home to the Evans Scholars Program.

“The McCausland Scholarship House for Evans Scholars represents this vision in action, expanding our reach while giving Scholars a home where they can live and learn together in a supportive community,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We’re excited for what lies ahead – and a new legacy for young men and women who can earn the Evans Scholarship, here in South Carolina and nationwide.”

At the dedication ceremony, President Amiridis said the Evans Scholars Program is a wonderful opportunity for students, as they live together for four years in a community environment that provides dedicated support and resources.

“At the same time, this is also a great opportunity for our university,” President Amiridis said. “We’re fortunate to have this partnership with a strong, well-established, nationally respected program that aligns well with our reputation for an excellent student experience and strong student success. The Evans Scholars Program delivers impressive statistics – a 98% graduation rate and approximately 40% of Evans Scholars are first-generation college students, which also fits well with the commitment of USC and to have a strong network of resources to support first-generation students.”

In his remarks, lead donor Peter McCausland reflected on his support of the university and the game of golf. “I’m a lover of golf. I’m a lover of having a caddie when I play golf,” he said. “I’m a lover of these Evans Scholars that I have had over the years. They are hard-working, and they are interested in advancing academically and then eventually, professionally. It just makes for a great experience.”

Evans Scholar DJ Bookard, who caddied at Old Barnwell and spoke at the dedication, says he’s proud to be a part of the inaugural class at South Carolina.  “The Evans Scholarship has given me the opportunity to experience this beautiful campus, make a great group of lifelong friends, and live a life I never knew was possible,” he said. “Being a part of the inaugural class here is something special and means that we can create our own legacy. Our legacy will be one of academic excellence, community, and a love and pride of being an Evans Scholar.”

To learn more about the WGA/ESF, visit: wgaesf.org.