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Education changed the course of Mary Evaline Wagner’s life. Now, through a lasting gift to the University of Chicago, her legacy will help ensure that others can experience that same transformative power.
The bequest, given to the Graham School in 2026, establishes the Mary Evaline Wagner Scholarship Fund in support of the Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) program. The fund reflects Mary’s lifelong belief that education is not only an intellectual pursuit, but also a catalyst for personal freedom and professional fulfillment.
A Trailblazer in Education and Life
Mary Evaline Wagner attended the University of Chicago in the 1950s, when higher education was still an uncommon path for many women. She often credited her education with changing the trajectory of her life, opening doors to create connections and build a meaningful career.
Known to those closest to her as “Evy,” Mary Evaline Wagner was a trailblazer of her time. Her determination to pursue higher education and live an intellectually rich life shaped a lasting commitment to creating opportunities for others, particularly women who, like her, seek intellectual growth and self-determination through learning.
After her time at the University of Chicago, Mary built a successful career in the television industry, working largely behind the scenes. She became a longtime collaborator with Michael Landon, contributing to iconic television series such as Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, and Highway to Heaven.
She also devoted her time and energy to the institutions that had helped shape her path. Her independence, and her conviction that education is one of the most powerful tools for building a purposeful life, will continue to impact and support students in the MLA.
A Lasting Impact
The Mary Evaline Wagner Scholarship Fund reflects a deep commitment to expanding access to transformative education. In honor of Mary Evaline Wagner’s own educational path, this fund provides vital support for MLA students who bring rich life experience to their studies, pursuing rigorous intellectual engagement while balancing professional commitments and the many responsibilities of adult learning.
“This scholarship stands as a lasting expression of Mary Evaline Wagner’s generosity and belief in the power of education to shape lives,” says Graham School Dean Seth Green. “Her legacy will continue to open doors for generations of MLA students, offering them the same opportunity for growth and discovery that so profoundly shaped her own experience.”
Why the Graham School and the MLA
UChicago’s MLA program is designed for students who seek breadth, depth, and synthesis across disciplines, offering an intellectual experience that extends well beyond professional credentialing.
For Mary Evaline Wagner, this model embodied the very spirit of the education that had shaped her own life, one rooted in inquiry. The MLA’s emphasis on critical thinking, leadership, and integrative learning reflects Wagner’s belief that education should expand not only what we know, but also what we imagine possible.
Master of Liberal Arts applicants are now being considered for the Mary Evaline Wagner Scholarship Fund. Contact the MLA admissions team for more information at mla-admissions@uchicago.edu.
Learn more about transformative experiences in the UChicago MLA.
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