???A University at Buffalo alumnus with a past rooted deep in the school's history was recently honored with a scholarship in his name.
???The UB Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship has been renamed in honor of Willie R. Evans, a member of the famed 1958 Bulls football team and long-time Alumni Association member.
???"[We honored Evans] because of his dedication and service [to UB]," said Mark A. Adler, president of the UB Alumni Association. "[Evans embodies] a good lesson about the importance of giving without expectation."
???In 1958, when the Bulls were invited to play at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Fla., a rule prevented Evans and Mike Wilson, another black teammate, from sharing the field with white players.
???As a team, the 1958 squad decided to skip the game and stand with Evans and Wilson, solidifying UB's impact on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and '60s.
???Evans joined the Alumni Association in 1972, served as board president from 1981 to 1982 and was the interim associate vice president for most of 2008. Evans has also received several awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award and Community Leadership Medal.
???"[Evans is] caring, thoughtful and dedicated to supporting what's important to him in life," Adler said.
???Scholarships are supposed to provide students with an opportunity they might not have through donations from alumni and the community.
???The Willie R. Evans UB Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship, established in 2007, provides a unique opportunity for students whose parents or grandparents graduated from the university and are active in the Alumni Association to receive a scholarship.
???The annual scholarship is currently $2,500 and may be awarded to up to two students who demonstrate active participation in community service and have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
???Recent recipients include Michael Balter, a sophomore undecided major, and Mark Webb, a sophomore in the School of Management. Applications can be found on the Alumni Association Web site. Evans could not be reached for comment prior to press time Sunday night.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
