Chef Emeril Lagasse will host the 8th annual Emeril Lagasse Golf Classic to support scholarships at his alma mater, Johnson & Wales University. More than 100 golfers, many representing national corporate sponsors, will join Emeril for a round of 18 holes at the Newport Country Club in Newport, R.I., on September 21.

The tournament will raise proceeds to benefit the Emeril Lagasse Endowed Scholarship Fund at JWU.

This year, four JWU students will each receive $10,000 toward their education at JWU, a national leader in career education. To date, approximately $3 million has been raised for the fund, which provides scholarship support for students pursuing a career in the culinary arts, one of the university’s major degree programs. The university also offers degrees in hospitality, business, technology and education.

The Emeril Lagasse Endowed Scholarship Fund supports a major initiative of JWU’s strategic plan, FOCUS 2011 – to make education more affordable for students. The university has earmarked $120 million in student scholarship for the 2010 – 2011 academic year alone. ‘But this is not enough,” said a J&W spokesman. “Many JWU students need even more assistance to pursue their educational and career goals.’

The Emeril Lagasse Golf Classic combines many of Emeril’s passions – his commitment to helping students pursue their dream of a successful career in the culinary arts; his appreciation for the sport of golf and his fondness for his alma mater. Lagasse, a 1978 graduate of JWU, was raised in Fall River where he learned his early culinary skills from a Portuguese bakery in his neighborhood.

Lagasse is a chef, television personality and author. He is the chef-proprietor of 12 restaurants, and is host of “Emeril Green” on the Discovery Channel, “Emeril Live” on the Food Network, and “Fresh Food Fast” on the Cooking Channel.