Loyola University Chicago

Gannon Scholars are a select group of students who participate in a structured four-year experience designed to develop their leadership skills. Gannon Scholars are leaders who incorporate diverse experiences and awareness of social and women's issues into their programs and lives. Scholars receive a $3,500/academic year scholarship award that is renewable for four years provided they remain in good standing, both academically and with regard to their Gannon Scholar responsibilities.

The Gannon Scholars Leadership Program fosters within students a collective spirit of unity, empowerment, and philanthropy that adds a unique dimension to their college experience. The community created among the group stimulates intellectual growth and provides a support system encouraging ambition and success. Gannon Scholars are continually exposed to new ideas and viewpoints, enabling them to broaden their experience and lay an effective foundation for their futures.

Gannon Scholars create and carry out a variety of programs each year including the annual Gannon Reach Out (GRO), programs for Women's History Month, and Selection. GRO is annual service event organized by the Gannons to provide less fortunate families in the Rogers Park neighborhood with basic necessities. Past Women's History Month activities have included a Poetry Slam; Vagina Monologues; Women's Health Fair; Walk for Women, a campus wide event to raise money to help local women's shelters, and the Reception for Women Leaders, an event that honors women leaders at Loyola University Chicago. During Selection Gannon Scholars evaluate and interview candidates applying for the scholarship, and select the candidates who will be offered the scholarship.

In addition to these annual programs, the Gannon Scholars frequently have guest presenters and workshops during their weekly meetings. They are encouraged to attend conferences on issues relating to women as well as leadership development.

With all that said, however, perhaps the most important function of the Gannon Scholars is to create an environment where students are encouraged and supported by their peers to discover and develop their talents and to pursue their dreams.

Gannon Scholars have one meeting a week that generally runs for 1 hour, sometimes more. In addition to the weekly meeting, time is spent working on the various projects that the Gannons organize and carry out, attending conferences, and working to develop leadership skills. Gannons can spend as much as 5-10 hours a week working on projects.

The Gannon Scholars Leadership Program is open to students will be attending college directly after high school. To be considered for the program, applicants must have been accepted to Loyola University Chicago for full-time study. Up to five (5) $3,500 scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship is renewable for four years.

The deadline to apply for the 2009-2010 school year is Friday, January 30. Please note that only incoming first-year students are eligible to apply; transfer students and current Loyola students are not eligible. Semi-finalists will be notified by Wednesday, February 18 an invited to campus for on-campus interviews that take place Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. Click here to apply.

Twenty-five (25) semi-finalists will be notified by Wednesday, February 18. The semi-finalists are then sent a packet of information pertaining to mandatory on-campus interview weekend that will take place Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21.