The Evans Scholars program came to Marquette in 1955 with only two scholars. The success of the program has led the Western Golf Association to consider a construction project to make room for 10 more scholars.,”
The only on-campus housing for freshmen through seniors — the Evans Scholars house — is looking into a possible addition.
The Evans Scholars program came to Marquette in 1955 with only two scholars. The success of the program has led the Western Golf Association to consider a construction project to make room for 10 more scholars.
The house, located at 1318 West Wells St., currently houses 57 students, including 35 women and 22 men. These students were awarded four-year full academic and housing scholarships. Scholarships generally go to students who caddie at country clubs for four years, have strong GPAs and test scores and are in financial need, according to the Evans Scholars Foundation Web site.
Charles "Chick" Evans Jr., the scholarship's namesake, won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open in 1916 and used his golf earnings to establish the program in 1928.
"Nothing is official as far as an expansion goes," said Jeffrey Grom, a junior in the College of Health Sciences and president of Marquette's Evans Scholars. "There will be a meeting with Father Wild and members of Marquette at the end of next week to discuss a possible expansion, but nothing is set in stone."
The additional construction would "allow for more Wisconsin residents and more space for the growing number of women," said Kimberly Muth, a junior in the College of Business.
The WGA is the owner and scholarship sponsor of the Evans Scholars house. The organization is based out of northern Illinois, but incorporates Marquette into its primary scholarship region. The purpose of the expansion is to include more females and Wisconsin residents.
The program has already stretched to 19 universities, and 14 of these schools have Evans Scholars houses, according to the Evans Scholars Foundation Web site. Only two of these houses — at Marquette and Northwestern University — are located at private institutions, according to the Web site. Marquette is the only Jesuit school with an Evans Scholars program.
Another unique aspect of Marquette's Evans Scholars is the number of women living in the house.
"Less than 10 percent of U.S. caddies are girls and Marquette's program is more then half girls," said the Rev. John Naus, Evans Scholars advisor and associate professor of philosophy.
Grom said having a large house of men and women is "an experience that not too many men and women (Evans Scholars) are able to have in their lifetime."
In order to keep their scholarships, Evans Scholars must maintain a 2.5 GPA. In addition to the WGA's grade requirement, Marquette Evans Scholars take part in many philanthropy projects on campus.
Some of these events include participation in the Alzheimer's Memory Walk and hosting a haunted house in their basement for elementary students. The Evans Scholars will also sponsor a blood drive in the Alumni Memorial Union Nov. 7.
An expansion would be the third change to the house which was originally located at 27th Street and Highland Avenue.
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