Thursday, 02 August 2012 12:33

William E. Evans Jr., a member of the Class of 1973, will be the third recipient of the St. Ignatius of Loyola Alumni Award from Fairfield Prep.

The award was established in 2010 to recognize alumni of Fairfield Prep "who exemplify the characteristics that Prep seeks to instill in its graduates, specifically open to growth, intellectually competent, religious, loving, and committed to doing justice."

"Bill Evans has demonstrated these qualities through his extensive volunteer efforts and programs to support the people of Nicaragua, and currently works as the president of Connecticut Quest for Peace, leading an organization which is actively providing relief via humanitarian cargo aid, education, medicine and health care to poverty stricken Nicaraguan communities," according to a press release from the school.

Evans will receive his award at the school-wide Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sept. 7.

At Connecticut Quest for Peace, Evans heads and oversees an organization that contributes time, resources, and financial aid to a dozen missions in Nicaragua, many of which are Jesuit-based, and which include schools, a trade learning center, medical facilities, a maternity hospital, a burn center, and an orphanage. Through many of his efforts, this organization sends tons of needed supplies, supports nutrition programs, has started scholarship programs, and contributes to loan programs. Evans travels to Nicaragua twice a year to interact with the local communities and organizations, identify new areas of need, and make plans for the distribution of his aid and resources. All of his Connecticut efforts are handled by volunteers. More information can be found at ctquestforpeace.org.

Evans grew up in Stamford, one of seven children. His three brothers also attended Fairfield Prep: Matthew '73, John '74 and Mark '78.

He attended Worcester Polytechnical Institute, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering.

He carried on the painting business (currently William Evans Painting) that he and his brothers started to help pay their tuitions to Prep and college.

He met his wife Joyce in high school; has four children Bryan, Abby, Tim and Molly, and lives in Westport.

Excerpt from:
Fairfield Prep to honor alumnus for leadership in Quest for Peace