Get ready to dive into a heartwarming tale that started on the greens of Evanston Golf Club. Meet Jacqueline Fernandez and Robert Gonzalez, proud Alumni of the Murphy Caddie Program. Jacqueline, a graduate of Loyola Academy's Class of 2011 and former caddie at Evanston Golf Club, and Robert, representing Mount Carmel High School's Class of 2010 and Northmoor Country Club, crossed paths during the DMSF Golf Classic in 2010. Little did they know, that encounter would spark something extraordinary. Fast forward to today, and Jacqueline and Robert aren't just partners on the course—they're partners in life. Residing in Chicago and active supporters of DMSF today, they're beaming with pride as parents to their adorable 7-month-old daughter, Mariela, and their lovable French bulldog, Geronimo. Join us as we chat with Jacqueline and Robert about their journey as caddies, their time as Evans Scholars at Marquette University, and how the Murphy Caddie Program laid the foundation for their relationship, education, and career successes. Get ready for a story that's as heartwarming as it is inspiring. Question: How did you learn about caddying and what was that first impression that you had on this summer job? Robert: I found out through news and updates from DMSF when they shared summer opportunities for Scholars. They called out the opportunity to apply for the Chick Evans Scholarship and so that appealed to me. I had no idea what that was prior to my time with DMSF. Jacqueline: I learned about it from my older sister, Berenis Fernandez (Murphy Alum, Loyola Academy, Class of 2007). She did the Daniel Murphy Caddie Program and was awarded the Evans Scholarship to Marquette so it was something that I wanted to follow in her footsteps. Question: Seeing as you both are married and have started this beautiful family together, how did you both originally meet? Robert: I'll go first so that Jackie can correct me (Laughs). We actually met at Jackie's caddyshack. I had gone to Evanston Golf Club, her course, to work at the DMSF Golf Outing and I was wearing a special, green Chick Evans Scholar caddie bib. And so that sparked the initial conversation. Then I learned that she was also DMSF and that she was applying for the Evans. Question: What made caddying and being a part of this program a unique experience for you? Robert: I enjoyed getting that daily work experience, getting that taste of what it's like to live on my own. Some of my favorite aspects of the program outside of the work part are the regular guest speakers that would come visit. We would have Murphy Alumni that would come and talk to all the guys, let us know how they also did the caddie program and how it impacted their lives. At a personal level, I made a lot of good friends that I still have to this day. I learned a lot about the game of golf. I'm not a good golfer, but I still enjoy being out on the course. And I think the work environment itself is, from my perspective, beautiful. You're walking around like this green scenery, these gigantic trees that have been there forever. Everything is so pristine and nice and it's a sunny day. You get some good exercise. So I think just on a basic, human level, I liked being in that environment. Jacqueline: I think for me, it's like you're a teenager, you're developing responsibilities to wake up early, go to work, and then when you go to work, it's just the caddyshack full of energy. You get a loop and that comes with such a big excitement. And then you're on for four hours just walking and carrying a bag, but at the same time you do get that vitamin D, the sun, the good scenery..it was just a good feeling. Question: Tell me about a memorable loop you had. Robert: I'll always remember my first loop ever. It was at the DMSF Golf Classic. I go up to my bag and it starts pouring rain. It initially gets rained out so the golfer assigned to me leaves and before he does, he slips me a generous tip. Once the rain had cleared, they let me know I was getting a loop. And so I walk up to my bag and it's Juan Espejo, the person who gave me my first caddie lessons, gave me my first golf lessons, gave me my first set of golf clubs. He was an amazing golfer. It was nice because he was a very nice person, someone who I was familiar with and fairly easy work because he's so good at golf. Jacqueline: For me, I don't have one specific loop, but I would say the loops that I caddied for women were very inspiring to me. To see someone that looked the same, I guess a woman, not just a man like more than half the course, but to see them go out there and play and then just be boss ladies. Yeah, that was very inspiring to me. Question: What about caddying was a nice surprise? Robert: I think the lessons that I connect to the job itself are the responsibility. Having my first job, having to be on time, be there, do a good job, the teamwork aspect of caddying, knowing you have an influence on someone's performance working together to figure out how can we shoot the best round of golf that we can together, the adaptability because not every golfer is the same. The attention to detail, taking into account things like what kind of weather we have on the course, reading greens, different wind conditions. All that type of stuff translates to normal life. I think the customer service aspect definitely applies in the job role you have. The networking is a big deal. And having a paying job is like the start of managing finances. Jacqueline: I echo that and will add, my farmer's tan (Laughs). Like Robert mentioned, being independent and being on your own. I think that also carried into college life as an Evans Scholar at Marquette, and that responsibility that comes with. Question: What did you appreciate about your Marquette Evans Scholarship experience? Robert: I think everyone learns a lot about life with the college experience, and being a Marquette Evans Scholar adds another layer of motivation to do the best you can and have more responsibility than your average college kid does. And the setting really instilled a lot of lifelong values and friendships so I think that's the biggest thing that adds another layer to the college experience. Jacqueline: I think for me it was being able to get my education at that type of institution. I wouldn't have had that other than through the Murphy Caddie Program and getting the Evans. Continuing that Jesuit education going from Loyola Academy to Marquette was nice because that type of environment brings a sense of community, faith, being there for others, making a difference. I liked that that was still something that I was surrounded by. And of course, the great friends and memories. Question: Why should people support the Murphy Caddie program? Robert: DMSF, as a whole, is a positive life-changing organization and I see the Murphy Caddie Program being like a multiplier of those qualities. I think about how it's impacted the trajectory of my life. It's how I met my wife, it's how I went to a prestigious college for free. When you support DMSF, you're leaning into those things. When you support this program, you're multiplying that for more Scholars to come. Jacqueline: It opens the door for many possibilities, especially for underprivileged children that have the drive and are smart, but don't know about this type of opportunity that exists out there. Supporting this program provides that accessibility. Question: To close our time together, where do you find yourself working today? Robert: I'm a Senior Consultant working in the digital marketing space. The connection really with my job now is the golfers that I caddied for a lot of times would ask me about what type of school I'm going to, what I'm going to study, and they would share what they studied. And a lot of times, the golfers I caddied for went to business school. That exposure is what took me down the track of where I am today. Jacqueline: I'm a Senior Analytics & Reporting Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield. I majored in IT and finance and I really liked working with data. I work in the department for value-based care reporting so that providers can deliver quality care to our members and improve their performance. I like to think that I'm making an impact in people’s lives Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance to ensure that they're getting quality healthcare. Thanks you both for being such inspirational individuals and for sharing how caddying impact your lives, Jacqueline and Robert!
If you would like to donate to the Murphy Caddie Program, click here.
It was this dedication to education that served as the impetus for the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund. Established in 1989, just a year after Danny's untimely passing at the age of 61, the fund aimed to honor his legacy by providing opportunities for deserving students with financial need to pursue higher education. Gathered in a conference room with ten like-minded individuals, including Bob and Jim Murphy, the foundation was laid for what would become a beacon of hope for countless young students.
As Bob Murphy reflects on his father's legacy, he speaks not only of pride but of profound humility. Bob shares, "The Daniel Murphy legacy... it's larger than life. It means so much to us and the family." To see the impact of Danny's name echoed through the halls of educational institutions and the lives of scholarship recipients is evidence of his enduring spirit and the power of one man's vision.
"Using my gifts to serve and improve the world I live in. Also, to be part of the Murphy family has been such a HUGE part of my post-school life. There are few spaces where I see more seen and understood that are not in Murphy networks. Some of my closest friends are Murphy alum - we understand each other and support each other." - Melissa Abad, Deerfield Academy (2001) "I'm proud to be part of a network of high achieving minorities who overcame the odds." - Vincent Waller, Latin School of Chicago (1999) "It means leadership, mentorship and hard work. I learned the meaning of hard work and I learned never to give up." - Carmen Ontiveros, Trinity High School (1998) "DMSF gives young ones a real chance at life. Something that stuck with me from a college prof was this: life is like a game of monopoly, and a certain group of people have had 200 rounds of the board before others have 1 turn. I feel in this analogy, DMSF provides the young one with maybe 20 or 30 turns to start... if that made any sense at all.." - Jeremy Saenz, Brother Rice High School (2003) "To me, being a Murphy Scholar means embracing a responsibility to use my education and skills to serve others, to lead by example, and to continually strive for personal and professional growth. Being a Murphy Scholar signifies more than just receiving an award or recognition; it embodies a commitment to excellence, leadership, and service." - Brian (Yaw) Anyinam, La Lumiere School (2003) "For me, being a Murphy Scholar means being rooted in reality and down-to-earth, while also being inspired and supported to reach for the stars and pursue your dreams. " - Adia Bey, Milton Academy (2002) "It means being a part of a community of individuals who were afforded extraordinary opportunity at a young age." - Robert White, Culver Military Academy (2017) "To be a Murphy Scholar means to be intelligent, driven, hard working, and dedicated." - Karla Moreno, Regina Dominican High School (2017) "It means that just getting by is unacceptable, that we must always strive for excellence in everything we do and work towards achieving our goals, even if it seems impossible. " - Jordan Tims, St. Joseph High School (2019) "Being a Murphy Scholar means being a leader and not being afraid of falling because you know someone will be there to aid you. Being a Murphy Scholar means never feeling alone because you have a second family with DMSF." - Karla Tapia, Woodlands Academy (2023) "To be a Murphy Scholar means everything. It means using your personal and professional goals and turning it into your reality." - Morgan Payne, Marist High School (2017) "Being a Murphy Scholar means that you’re not going to let the obstacles and challenges that you might face in life stand in the way of achieving your goals and dreams. Being a Murphy Scholar means that you’re going to use all of the resources and programs that are available to you to have the best high school and college experience that you could possibly have. Being a Murphy Scholar means that you’re going to give back and pay it forward to help all of the new scholars that come after you." - Shavell Rodgers, De La Salle Institute (2016) "Its pride, empowerment, encouragement, determination, friendships, guidance, and life changing to sum it up in a few words." - Colleen Healy, Mother McAuley (2010) "To me, being a Murphy Scholar means defying the odds through hard work and self-belief. It means pursuing excellence in education despite financial barriers or early academic struggles. When I failed first grade as an English language learner, it could have set the tone for low expectations seeming inevitable. Being a Murphy Scholar I was able to continue to prove this simple concept, with the right resources and encouragement one can excel. " - Chris Davila, Queen of Peace (2005) "It means that not only am I apart of an organization that cares and caters to young bright stars but I have the ability to walk ahead in spaces so that the new generation of scholars can run in them. " - Quinnyata Bellows, North Shore Country Day School (2015) "It means doing your best, being yourself, and not giving up. When you are a Daniel Murphy scholar there is an infinite amount of people not willing to let you fail." - Ariel Pinkston, Fenwick High School (2020) "Being a Murphy Scholar means to not only be a leader, but to be an academic weapon and to build good connections with those within and outside of your comfort zones." - Nogosa Atekha, Berkshire School (2021) "Being a Murphy Scholar is being a part of a community. A community of ambitious, hungry, and dedicated students. We are a group of individiuals with common expereiences and backgrounds. My closest friends are Murphy Scholars, because we understand what it is like to be given a chance, and we strive to make the most of it. As we've grown, and matured to understand the significance DMSF has had on our lives, we now seek ways to participate, return, and grow the scholarship." - Mario Rodriguez, Culver Academies (2020) "Being a Murphy Scholar is being someone who is serious about their education, an active member of their community, and constantly pursuing self-improvement." - Emmanuel Sarpong, Morgan Park Academy (2019) "I believe being a Murphy Scholar is a charge - it is a commitment to place service at the center of our personal missions so that the same efforts that benefitted us can benefit others. To be a Murphy Scholar is to be a leader with a willingness to be courageous and compassionate." - Jorge Silva, St. Paul's School (2008) "Being a Murphy Scholar is Family. We are a group of students that were given opportunities that we otherwise wouldn’t have been given. Once a Scholar, Always a Scholar." - Allison Heraty (Gonsowski), Maria HS (2000) "It is a point of pride, and a membership into a group of folks with a common experience of struggle, hope, success, and resilience. It is a community that quickly creates bonds as soon as the realization of that experience is established." - Jesus D. Bravo, St. Ignatius College Prep (2000) "Being a Murphy Scholar means being a part of a proud community filled with intelligent and passionate individuals. Every Murphy Scholar I've met has passion and drive like no other, and I am honored to be a part of that." - Charise Pisani, St. Ignatius College Prep (2021) "To me, it means that I have a community of supportive, encouraging people who looked after me while I was in high school and who genuinely care and want to see my succeed." - Jasmine Barlow, Holy Trinity High School (2017) "To be a Murphy Scholar means to take advantage of the educational opportunities and resources afforded to you with a grateful heart, while thinking critically about ways to change the system so those opportunities and resources are available for others in your community." - Timeica E. Bethel, Francis W. Parker School (2007)
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund Receives Generous Grant from The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation2/8/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDaniel Murphy Scholarship Fund receives generous grant from The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation[A donation that brings the Murphy Scholars program to the Lake County area] [CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, February] – The Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF), Chicago’s largest high school scholarship granting organization, is thrilled to announce a $2 million gift over four years from The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation. This gift will enable DMSF to extend our program to Lake County, enhancing educational opportunities for students in the area, mirroring the program's success in the Chicago area. DMSF, which initially launched in the Chicago area in 1989, has been highly successful in providing tuition scholarships and programmatic support to students to help them excel academically and realize their full potential in high school, college and beyond. With over 500 Murphy Scholars across 87 partner high schools, our Scholars excel and graduate from high school, attend and graduate from college at a rate nearly twice the national average - 87% are on track to graduate within six years. Murphy Scholars are Scholars for life, and they give back to DMSF as donors, mentors, volunteers and champions of the organization’s mission. Through this partnership, DMSF and The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation will bring that same opportunity, excitement, and promise to a new group of students in Lake County. Cindy Hallums, Executive Director at DMSF, shares, "The expansion of the Murphy Scholar program to Lake County aligns with our commitment to breaking down barriers to access an excellent education and empowering students to achieve their dreams. We are deeply grateful to The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation for their life-changing gift and their belief in DMSF’s mission and Murphy Scholars." The donation from The John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation underscores the shared commitment of both organizations to invest in the education of future leaders. By helping expand the Murphy Scholar program to Lake County, the Foundation aims to create a lasting impact on the lives of students in the area, fostering a culture of academic excellence and personal development. John Schreiber, founder of the John & Kathleen Schreiber Foundation, explains, “Much of our philanthropic work is focused on breaking down barriers that can prevent the next generation of leaders from accessing a high-quality education. We’re grateful to DMSF for expanding their Murphy Scholars program to Lake County, where students with big dreams and diverse talents will leverage the strong curriculum and resources to be successful in high school, college and beyond.” After a successful recruitment process this past fall of 2023, DMSF is excited to welcome eight Murphy Scholars from Lake County to the Murphy Scholar program. About the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund
The mission of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund is to give high school scholarship assistance and programmatic support to Chicago area students with financial need. Today, in its 35th anniversary year, DMSF serves over 500 Scholars and is able to offer 150 new scholarships to 8th grade students each year. Those students are attending roughly 40 different parochial and independent day schools in the Chicago area, as well as 40 boarding schools from coast to coast. DMSF has awarded scholarships to more than 2,200 Scholars, allowing them to attend college preparatory high schools and continuing on to college. The median family annual income of Murphy families is currently $37,800, and nearly 70% of the Scholars are first-generation students, the first in their families to attend and graduate college. For more information on DMSF’s impact in the community and ways to get involved during DMSF’s 35th anniversary year, please visit our website at www.dmsf.org or follow @MurphyScholars on Instagram. Q: What is your first and last name? A: Jorge Silva. Q: What is your high school graduation year? A: 2008. Q: Which high school did you attend as a Murphy Scholar? A: St. Paul's School (Concord, NH). Q: What clubs in high school did you participate in? A: Wrestling Team, Afro-Latino Alliance, La Sociedad, Fiske Cup Play Competition, and all the high school plays. Q: What DMSF programs did you participate in? A: Summer Bridge, Mentorship, and Affinity Group. Q: What was DMSF’s impact on you? A: The DMSF Scholarship set me on an entirely unanticipated, unfathomable path. Our agency as a family shifted away from what was strictly defined by our socioeconomic status; it opened a world of privilege and opportunity previously believed to be unavailable to us. I learned how much is truly placed on us as the next generation - the hopes and dreams of our communities became more and more apparent to me as I matured as a DMSF scholar. How much responsibility accompanies newfound privilege and with that realization an obligation to succeed, if not for ourselves, but for all those who invested in us. It taught me what I was truly capable of and de Q: Why was receiving a good education so important to you? A: As I mentioned previously, education was seen as the gateway to upward mobility. With a meaningful education, I could help achieve more than was predetermined by our lives as immigrants. Q: For you, what does it mean to be a Murphy Scholar? A: I believe being a Murphy Scholar is a charge - it is a commitment to place service at the center of our personal missions so that the same efforts that benefitted us can benefit others. To be a Murphy Scholar is to be a leader with a willingness to be courageous and compassionate. Q: What advice do you have for current Murphy Scholars? A: Cut your hair and stop letting insecurity make your decisions for you. Moreover, be kind - there’s time to learn everything else, but the moments that end up living with you on a daily basis are the moments where you succeeded and failed at being empathetic and loving. Q: What college did you attend? A: Cornell University (Undergrad); The University of Chicago (MBA). Q: What did you major in? A: BA in Government, BA in Theatre; Behavior Science Concentration in MBA program. Q: What is your current job title and company? A: Managing Director, Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts - Northwestern University. Q: What college scholarships did you receive?
A: Perez Scholarship (undergrad); Neubauer Civic Scholarship (graduate) Bob and Jim Murphy watched their dad work tirelessly to be able to send them to Loyola Academy. Their lived experience planted the seed of supporting talented young people with financial support to attend the school of their choice. In honor of their dad, Daniel Murphy, Bob and Jim, along with their family and friends, launched the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund (DMSF) beginning with four Murphy Scholars in 1989. For the last 35 years, DMSF has unlocked the potential of over 2,300 young people in Chicago. Our Scholars come from every corner of the city and each embodies resilience, leadership and dedication - qualities that make our Scholar community so special. When we meet our Scholars during the interview process, they are 8th graders eager to take on the rigor and challenge of high school. The people we see them transform into in a four-year period and what they accomplish is remarkable! By providing access to an excellent education and supporting them on their journey, we are transforming the lives of our Scholars, families and communities. Our growth as an organization is a testament to the efficacy of our mission and the great need that continues to exist in our city. Today we support 501 Murphy Scholars who are currently enrolled in our 87 partner high schools. Recognizing the unique needs of our Scholars, we combine tuition scholarships with specialized programs to give our Scholars the academic and personal support to ensure their success in high school, college and beyond. Our model works and Murphy Scholars are thriving: 100% graduate from high school and are accepted into four-year colleges and 87% have graduated or are on track to graduate within six years! 35 years of Murphy Scholars would not have been possible without our partners and supporters, including our Scholars and families, partner schools, staff, Board Members, donors, volunteers, and feeder schools. Every person that has ever shown up for DMSF has helped us get to our 35th year and we’re thrilled to be able to continue our work of unlocking educational opportunities for talented young people! As we embark on our 35th year, we honor our past and are planning for a bright future, one filled with endless opportunities for Murphy Scholars. We remain focused on expanding our reach to serve more young people, deepening our financial and programmatic support of our Scholars, and supporting our ever-growing Murphy Alumni base to ensure their exposure to a variety of careers and matriculation to successful careers.
Embarking on a journey that spans continents and generations, Yan Krasov's narrative is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. Originally hailing from the Soviet Union, Yan found his roots in West Rogers Park, setting the stage for an extraordinary trajectory. As a distinguished member of the Murphy Scholar Class of 1998, Yan's educational odyssey began at Ida Crown Jewish Academy, laying the groundwork for a future marked by success and service. Yan's connection with DMSF deepened through the Summer Caddie Program, propelling him to receive the prestigious Evans Scholarship to Northwestern University.
Currently serving as a Research Analyst at William Blair, Yan not only excels in his professional endeavors but also pays it forward to the Murphy Scholars community. Engaging with the Board of Directors and leading as Chair of the Alumni Committee, Yan dedicates his time to support and mentor younger Scholars. His commitment extends to providing invaluable career exposure opportunities and internships at William Blair, embodying the ethos of giving back that defines the Murphy Scholars community. In this blog post, we delve into Yan's journey, his impactful contributions, and the enduring legacy he is creating within the DMSF family. The DMSF team got to sit with Yan to talk about his experience and the life he’s built. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: Looking back at that time in your life when you were an eighth grader, what motivated you to apply for the Murphy Scholarship? Why was receiving a good education important to you?
A: My parents instilled the value of education in me from an early age as a way to become successful in life. And back then, having just moved from the former Soviet Union, now Ukraine, despite lacking the financial and cultural resources, they were very motivated to find an environment for me to be able to get a great education. And upon finding out about the Murphy Scholarship, I was very motivated to earn it, to attend Ida Crown, and thus not having to relocate to the suburbs or go to local public school, which had a 30% graduation rate and didn't have the academic support and the rigor that Ida Crown had.
Q: What makes the Murphy Alumni network great?
A: To this day, the Murphy alums I caddied with or met through the programming are my friends. They're now serving on the DMSF Board with me and are working to help the next generation of Murphy Scholars and Alumni succeed. I think at this point, the hundreds of alumni who've graduated from high school and college and achieved success in every career field imaginable, can now serve as role models for the current and future generations of Murphy Scholars. Having someone come from a similar background and achieve success is a powerful motivator and instills self-belief into those who are often the first in their families to attend college or pursue a career in a new field. Having somebody who comes from a similar background can be an inspiration.
"I would encourage supporters, to bring more friends, colleagues, and professional acquaintances to the organization for them to understand how full of potential Murphy Scholars are, how deserving of opportunities they are, and how they make for great students, employees, and ultimately leaders of the organizations they will go on to be a part of in their life."
Q: What DMSF programs have you participated in and how have you benefitted from them?
A: Caddying. I love caddying. It is a great job opportunity that keeps me active and teaches me many lessons. But it also potentially carves a pathway to the Chick Evans Scholarship. Q: What have you learned about yourself during high school? How do you think you've grown from freshman year to the person you are today? A: During high school I have been able to learn more about my self, my virtues, and most importantly my passions. I have learned that I am a leader and passionate about learning and exploring new things. From my freshman year it’s now i have definitely developed a strong sense of perseverance. Even when things got hard, I knew I was trying my best.
Q: What are you looking forward to after graduation?
A: I am excited to see how my life will roll out, and of course college!!! I know wherever I go I am meant to be, and will help me become the best version of myself. Q: Looking ahead, what do you see yourself doing as a career? What fields are you interested in? A: I am interested in Civil Engineering. I hope to explore all concentrations but I know I love creating and math. Q: To you, what does it mean to be a Murphy Scholar? Being a Murphy Scholar means being able to reach my dreams. Not being contained to my background and being able to break barriers and open doors for myself. |
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