Addition of world-class university is part of a larger, ongoing expansion plan

GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Western Golf Association’s acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation and the University of Chicago have formed a new partnership, with the university becoming the organization’s 19th partner school, WGA and university leaders have announced.

The addition of the University of Chicago is part of a larger, ongoing expansion plan for the Evans Scholars Program, which awards full housing and tuition college scholarships to deserving caddies. Currently, 1,045 caddies nationwide are attending school as Evans Scholars, including two at University of Chicago this fall.

“The University of Chicago is delighted to partner with the Western Golf Association,” said John W. Boyer, dean of the College, University of Chicago. “As an institution with a longstanding commitment to access, the University of Chicago has found that more students of intellectual promise seek higher education when we remove key barriers for applying to and attending college. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to enable more students of diverse backgrounds to achieve their academic and career aspirations through the Evans Scholars Foundation.”

“Even though we have faced some unique challenges this year, it has still been an exciting time of growth for the Evans Scholars Program,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “We are seeing record numbers of caddies apply for the Evans Scholarship, and we are very fortunate to be able to continue providing new opportunities for these young students to experience the life-changing gift of a college education.”

Part of the WGA’s overall organizational plans include identifying new universities to send award recipients, and the University of Chicago is a perfect fit, leaders say. University of Chicago is ranked No. 6 in the 2020 U.S. News and World report rankings of national universities, making it the top-ranking university in the Evans Scholars Program.

“The University of Chicago is a world-class university and a tremendous addition to the Evans Scholars Program,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “Our ties date back to the 1960s, when seven Evans Scholars Alumni graduated from the university. We are very excited to now build on that initial history and begin establishing a legacy.”

Distinguished University of Chicago professor Gene Fama helped connect school officials with ESF Program leaders about the possibility of participating in the Evans Scholars Program. Fama, 2013 Nobel laureate in economic sciences, is the Robert R. McCormick Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the Booth School of Business. He is a member of The Beverly Country Club and a generous supporter of the Evans Scholars Program. Several other major ESF supporters also are affiliated with the University of Chicago.

“I knew this would be a great fit for both the University of Chicago and the Evans Scholars Program,” Fama said. “Both have a long history of providing world-class educations to a diverse student population. Partnering with the University of Chicago gives the Evans Scholars Program an additional option for its scholarship recipients to attend a top-tier university for high-achieving students.”

The ESF plans to award at least four new Evans Scholarships each year to the University of Chicago, with Scholars living together in a designated residence hall.