Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Quincy University has announced Chandler Cain as the recipient of the 2024 Bishop’s Scholarship. Cain, a graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School, is now a freshman at Quincy University.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois praised Cain's enthusiasm for Mass and his resilience in facing personal challenges. "What immediately struck me about Chandler is his love for the Mass," said Bishop Paprocki. "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.’”

The $10,000 scholarship is awarded based on Bishop Paprocki's recommendation. Candidates must be from a parish in the Diocese of Springfield and have applied to Quincy University. They are required to submit a statement detailing their involvement with their local parish or the Catholic Church.

Cain expressed gratitude upon receiving the scholarship: “I am so excited and honored to be this year’s recipient of the Bishop’s Scholarship,” he said. He noted that his Catholic faith deepened significantly when he nearly lost his mother to cancer at age eight.

The scholarship can be renewed for up to eight semesters if recipients maintain full-time enrollment and a 3.3 GPA at Quincy University. “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 added.

Bishop Paprocki believes this scholarship will aid Cain's educational pursuits while enabling him to serve others.

Brian McGee, PhD, president of Quincy University, emphasized the institution's role in serving local parishes and schools within its diocese: “Quincy University is honored to serve the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois,” McGee stated.

McGee acknowledged Bishop Paprocki's support as both a leader and faculty member at Quincy University: “We are blessed to have Bishop Paprocki’s support as our shepherd and as a senior member of the faculty at Quincy University.”

The establishment of Quincy University stems from an invitation by the first bishop of the diocese to Franciscans, fostering generations of service in Illinois. The Bishop’s Scholarship exemplifies ongoing collaboration between Quincy University and the Diocese of Springfield.