Quincy Notre Dame graduate named recipient of QU’s Bishop’s Scholarship

QUINCY — Quincy University recently announced Chandler Cain as this year’s Bishop’s Scholarship recipient. Cain graduated from Quincy Notre Dame High School this spring and is a freshman at QU this fall.

The university awards the $10,000 Bishop’s Scholarship to one student on the recommendation of Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield. To be eligible for consideration, a candidate must belong to a parish in the Diocese of Springfield and have applied to QU. Candidates must be admitted to QU, choose to enroll and submit a statement describing their involvement in their local parish, the diocese or the Catholic church.

In a press release, Bishop Paprocki said, “What immediately struck me about Chandler is his love for the Mass. It is refreshing to see a young adult so enthusiastic about singing and serving at Mass and interacting with parishioners of all ages. Chandler has also endured medical challenges for himself and his mother. Recognizing the need to turn to God, even during hardships and pain, he didn’t fall into the trap of despair, instead turning to Him, saying, ‘I knew God was with us every step of the way.’”

“I am so excited and honored to be this year’s recipient of the Bishop’s Scholarship,” Cain said. “The Catholic Faith has played a huge role in my life for a very long time. It took a huge leap when I nearly lost my mother to a battle against cancer at the age of eight.”

The scholarship is subject to the university’s stacking policy, which limits awarded institutional dollars to the value of tuition. It is renewable for up to eight semesters of study as long as the recipient remains enrolled full-time and maintains a 3.3-grade point average at QU.

“Receiving this scholarship helps me continue my educational journey and follow God’s call for me to be a college or high school band director,” Cain said.

Bishop Paprocki shares Chandler’s confidence that this scholarship will not only support Cain’s educational journey at Quincy University but will also empower him to further serve and uplift those in need.

“Quincy University is honored to serve the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois,” QU President Brian McGee said. “As the only Catholic university in the diocese and in the 96 counties of downstate Illinois, we provide instruction deeply rooted in our Catholic faith and our Franciscan tradition.”

The founding of Quincy University is the direct result of an invitation issued by the first bishop of the diocese to the Franciscans, which led to generations of service by the Franciscans to the people of Quincy and Illinois. Established under the pastoral care and leadership of Bishop Paprocki, the Bishop’s Scholarship is one of many signs of the strong relationship between the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and Quincy University.