John Carroll University is honored to announce its selection as a new national partner institution for the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF), a prestigious scholarship program overseen by the Western Golf Association (WGA).
Recently recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the ESF provides full housing and tuition scholarships to student golf caddies with limited financial means. The first cohort of Evans Scholars will enroll in the fall of 2026, and it is expected that approximately 50 students will eventually attend John Carroll.
“We are honored to be chosen as an Evans Scholarship partner and look forward to helping these remarkable students achieve their academic and personal aspirations,” said Alan R. Miciak, Ph.D., President of John Carroll University. “This program exemplifies our shared commitment to fostering leadership and service, and providing access to education.”
By joining this program, John Carroll University becomes the 27th institution and the sixth private college to partner with the Evans Scholars program. Other participating institutions include Marquette University, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, and the University of Chicago. Currently, 1,190 students nationwide are attending 24 leading universities on the Evans Scholarship.
“We are thrilled to establish this partnership with JCU,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “JCU provides an excellent option for students who are looking for a smaller institution, and its tradition of strong academic outcomes align well with the outstanding achievements of our Evans Scholars.”
The Evans Scholarship is available to students who caddied regularly while in high school. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must apply during their freshman year of high school and demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership skills, and exceptional character.
A unique aspect of the Evans Scholars Program is the opportunity for students to live together as a cohort on their respective college campuses, a feature available at most partner schools. John Carroll University will continue that tradition, providing students the opportunity to reside together in one of its seven residence halls. This shared residential experience teaches students valuable life skills in communication, leadership, and mentoring, while fostering 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 Evans Scholars Foundation 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.
“Our Board of Directors could not be more pleased to see this Evans Scholars partnership come to fruition,” said Bill Donnelly, Chair of John Carroll’s Board of Directors. “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.”