Kirk Douglas Does it Again: $2 Million Scholarship Endowment

By KATIE KULL
STAFF WRITER

St. Lawrence alum and American film star Kirk Douglas ’39 and his wife, Anne, have recently donated $2 million to student scholarships, as well as to maintain operation of Kirk Douglas Hall. This money will be split evenly, $1 million designated for the Kirk Douglas Scholarship Fund and $1 million for the improvement, repair, maintenance, and operation of Kirk Douglas Hall. University President William L. Fox said, “We are immensely grateful for [the Douglas’s] continued commitment to St. Lawrence.”

The Kirk Douglas Scholarship supports students who represent diversity, have financial need, and demonstrate excellence in academic ability, as well as community leadership. Each year, two students are selected to receive this scholarship. Douglas scholars receive loan-free financial aid and a stipend to allow them to peruse experiential opportunities such as study abroad, internships, and collaborative research they may not have otherwise had to opportunity to peruse. Scholars also receive mentoring and textbooks. Currently, there are six Douglas Scholars coming from California, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and New York. By next semester, there will be eight Douglas Scholars on campus, two from each class, according to St. Lawrence. This fund was first established 16 years ago and expanded again in 2012 with a $5 million gift. It is on track to become the largest endowed scholarship at St. Lawrence.

Kirk Douglas Hall opened the summer before the 2014-2015 school year. It stands as a 155-bed residence hall. One thing that set this residence hall apart from the rest is its geothermal heating and cooling system. The dorm also features hotel style living, with each room featuring its own full bath. This hall was named after the actor, author, humanitarian, and philanthropist after the Douglas’s showed extreme willingness to help young people succeed. The Board of Trustees believed that the legacy of Douglas’s achievements in the world, enjoyed with his wife, and his deep devotion to St. Lawrence fit the purpose and inspiration of the new building, according to St. Lawrence University.

Douglas grew up in Amsterdam, New York and was initially granted admission after talking his way in to the Dean of Students at the time, Edwin Hulett. He graduated in 1939 with a degree in English and went on to be named one of the 50 greatest screen legends of all time by the American Film Institute. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1995 and was even presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981 and the National Medal of the Arts in 2001.

Douglas has been a dedicated and generous alum throughout his career, grateful to the University that took a chance on him.