PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
14
FALL 2012 | St. Lawrence University Magazine
Gi f t crea t es l arges t
endowed schol ar ship
fund a t S t . Lawrence
by Tom Evelyn
Film legend Kirk Douglas ’39 and his
wife, Anne, are giving $5 million to
St. Lawrence through the Douglas
Foundation to boost a scholarship they
started at the University in 1999.
The gift will enhance the Kirk Douglas
Scholarship fund, which supports
students who represent diversity, have
financial need and demonstrate excel-
lence in academics and leadership. It
creates the largest endowed scholarship
at St. Lawrence and expands the avail-
ability of the premier scholarship to all
four classes.
Because the scholarship was previously
available only to juniors and seniors,
the gift effectively doubles the number
of eligible recipients.
Douglas Scholars
receive loan-free
financial aid and a
stipend to allow them
to pursue experiential
opportunities, such as
study abroad, intern-
ships and research.
Through the Doug-
las Foundation, Kirk
and Anne Douglas
have now given nearly
$7.5 million to
St. Lawrence to sup-
port this scholarship.
“
We deeply appreci-
ate their dedication
and generosity to the
University and the
opportunity their
scholarship is provid-
ing for so many stu-
dents,” said President
William L. Fox ’75.
The scholarship has
supported 33 St. Lawrence students
through this year.
“
As recipients of the Kirk Douglas
Scholarship, my brother (Gavin ’10)
and I are truly grateful for alumni who
give back to St. Lawrence so gener-
ously,” Natasha Bennett ’12 wrote on
Facebook after learning of the Doug-
lases’ latest gift.
“
The scholarship was a huge blessing,”
Bennett said later. “I do not know how
I would have been able to afford my
last year of college without the generous
gift. My family and I are thankful for
Kirk Douglas's willingness to give back
to St. Lawrence. His generosity is inspir-
ing and makes me even more proud to
be a Laurentian.”
In her senior year, Bertha Delgado-
Torres ’08 wrote to Kirk Douglas to per-
sonally thank him for her scholarship.
“
As a result of your help I was able to
afford St. Lawrence University, some-
thing that my parents would not have
been able to do on their own,” she
wrote. “Coming from a Los Angeles
public school, I was taught that not
everyone who deserves to attend college
always does. I saw many friends put
aside their dreams of a higher education
for the mediocre job of a high school
graduate. You, however, have made my
dream a reality, and from the bottom of
my heart I thank you.”
Today, after a stint as a legal assistant
in Los Angeles, Delgado-Torres works
in CBS’s Labor Relations department in
Studio City, Calif.
Named one of the 50 greatest screen
legends of all time by the American
Film Institute, Kirk Douglas has ap-
peared in more than 85 films. In addi-
tion, he is a best-selling author, having
written four memoirs.
In college, he majored in English, was
president of Thelmo and was a member
of the wrestling team and the German
club. He also participated in dramatic
productions on campus. The Univer-
sity awarded him an honorary degree
in 1958, and he was inducted into the
Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980.
“
I’m giving something back to the
school,” he said previously, “because I
think every person should try to make
the world better any way that they can.”
Neal Burdick contributed to this report.
Kirk Douglas ’39 Gives $5 Million
to Boost Diversity Scholarship
The schol ar ship
has suppor t ed
33
S t . Lawrence
s tudent s through
thi s year.
photo provided by the Douglases