The Office of Development and Alumni Relations would like to share the good news of the John S. MacCauley Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Veterans reaching its endowment level in excess of $25,000. This scholarship will be awarded to the first recipient by October, 2014.
The John S. MacCauley Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Veterans was established in 2013 to honor John, a 1973 graduate of the University of Evansville, for his service as a Marine Corps veteran, a father of seven, and a tireless advocate for veterans of all branches of the U.S. armed forces. For several years, John talked with friends about establishing a special veteran’s scholarship at the University, but tragically died before details could be worked out and necessary funds raised. After John’s untimely death and in his memory, a small group of fellow veterans and friends established this scholarship.
John’s involvement with veteran’s affairs began soon after his return from service in Vietnam and subsequent enrollment at the University of Evansville. During his first term as a student, John joined five other student veterans to create Chi Gamma Iota, a veteran’s fraternity called the XGI’s. Based on personal experience and the experiences of friends, John understood the problems of veterans returning to the civilian population and particularly reentering college life as a non-traditional student. His continuous involvement with the XGI fraternity continued well beyond his graduation and up until the end of the draft following the Vietnam War and the consequent decline of veterans returning from the military service to attend UE.
John met frequently with University officials and student veterans throughout his life to engage with the University’s efforts to become a more veteran friendly campus. John knew that while times had changed and reentry for veterans at UE was different from the period of time when he and his fellow veterans were students, there was still the need for better financial support. John’s effort to fulfill this need has now become a reality.
John S. MacCauley Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Veterans is established to support a veteran of any branch of the military and their family who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree, who is a full-time, non-traditional student, and maintains a GPA of 2.5 or greater. A veteran who has been honorably discharged, a dependent of a veteran, and/or a student using an Education Military Benefit is also eligible for this scholarship.
With his love for the University of Evansville and as a tribute to this individual, well-known as “the voice of the Aces,” we salute you, John, for your integrity and compassion for the University of Evansville. GO ACES!
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