Gannon Scholars
2012-2013 application available through the Admitted Student Portal at
http://luc.edu/undergrad/admittedstudentportal/
Application deadline is February 3, 2012
Questions can be sent via e-mail to gannonscholars@luc.edu
Applications for the program will be accepted from all qualified male and female incoming students.
Scholars receive a $4,000/academic year scholarship award that is renewable provided they remain in good standing, both academically and with regard to their Gannon Scholar responsibilities.
Initiated at Mundelein College in 1984, the goal of the Gannon Scholars program is to promote the legacy of Mundelein College and mission of the Gannon Center for Women & Leadership. In 1991, Mundelein College merged with Loyola University Chicago, and the Gannon Scholars Leadership Program became a leading example of Loyola's commitment to leadership and scholarship. The program fosters within the participants a collective spirit of unity, empowerment, and philanthropy that adds a unique dimension to their college experience.
Mission Statement
The Gannon Scholars Leadership Program is a four-year progressive leadership program that strives to develop the leadership skills of the participants by instilling confidence, determination, persistence, and the desire for excellence. Participants apply upon entry to Loyola University Chicago, and are then admitted to the program which involves a renewable scholarship for the next four years. The scholarship is open to qualified male and female applicants.
Through events, programs, networking opportunities, and group work, the Gannon Scholars are exposed to new ideas and viewpoints and challenged to new ways of thinking about leadership and the structure of gender in society, thus enabling them to broaden their experience and lay an effective foundation for their futures.
Gannon Scholars are expected to incorporate themselves into society as leaders, and dedicate themselves to search for excellence as individuals and as a group; through all of their leadership endeavors they are challenged to create a more equal and just society. The program helps them to approach leadership with thought and to translate their passion to action.
Scholarship Expectations
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Be enrolled full-time at Loyola with a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA;
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Attend weekly meetings and participate in all required activities;
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Complete at least one Women’s Studies and Gender Studies course or Women’s Studies and Gender Studies cross-listed course by the end of the sophomore year;
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Chair or Co-chair at least one committee by the end of the junior year;
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Demonstrate leadership through involvement in organizations outside the Gannons at Loyola and/or in the community and seek to develop leadership abilities by attending conferences and workshops when possible;
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Serve as a positive role model for others in the program, at the University, and in the community;
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Embrace and model the Mission Statement of the program.
Examples of Gannon Scholars Activities
Gannon Reach Out
Organized and coordinated by the Gannons, GRO is a campus-wide project that invites faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Loyola University Chicago to provide assistance to local families in need. GRO strives to foster a sense of connection and caring with the University’s surrounding neighborhood, which encourages the broader University community to actively engage in discussion about the causes of poverty and hunger and seek creative solutions.
GRO is a very time-intensive project that is managed entirely by the Gannon Scholars. Attendance at GRO’s community dinner by all Gannon Scholars is required. Some degree of participation in and insight for planning meetings and fundraisers is also expected.
Madonna Scholars Mentoring Program
Organized and coordinated by the Gannon Scholars, the Madonna Scholars Mentoring Program is a community project which includes Gannon Scholars, Loyola students, and Madonna Scholars. The Madonna Scholars are a select group of high school women who receive a scholarship to attend Catholic high schools in the Chicago area. The young women come from diverse socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Prior to receiving the scholarship, the girls are in danger of not graduating high school. Upon entrance into the program, the girls are empowered as women leaders who graduate high school and most likely attend some sort of higher education. Activities include but are not limited to Leadership Workshops, Teen Dating Abuse Workshops, Book Clubs, Power of Dance Workshops, and one-on-one mentoring. The program’s goal is the empowerment of female high school women.
The planning of the Madonna Scholars Mentoring Program is a time-intensive commitment and spans the entire year. Committee members plan and facilitate all events. It is required that all Gannon Scholars participate in at least one Madonna Scholars related event during both the fall and spring semester each year.
Women’s History Month
The Gannon Scholars are expected to have some level of involvement in planning and/or supporting activities during Women’s History Month in March. Past events/programs have included sponsoring and organizing a health fair for women, a poetry slam, and hosting a reception for women leaders on campus.
Although not mandatory, Gannons are encouraged and expected to participate in other Gannon-sponsored activities, such as Vagina Monologues and the Madonna Scholars Mentoring Program, whenever possible.
Questions about the scholarship: gannonscholars@luc.edu