Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and a celebrated University of Arizona alumnus, has announced a $1 million gift commitment to his alma mater. The donation, made with his wife Margot, will establish an endowment to fund study-abroad scholarships for students in the College of Humanities. In addition to the financial contribution, Kerr will also join the college as an honorary professor.
Key Takeaways
- NBA coach Steve Kerr and his wife Margot have committed $1 million to the University of Arizona's College of Humanities.
- The gift will create the Kerr Family Endowment for Humanities Abroad, funding international study scholarships.
- Kerr has also accepted a position as an honorary professor within the college, with plans to guest lecture.
- The initiative is inspired by Kerr's own transformative experiences living and traveling overseas during his youth.
A Transformative Gift for Global Education
The significant financial commitment from Steve and Margot Kerr, who met as students at the university, is set to create lasting opportunities for future generations of Wildcats. The newly established Kerr Family Endowment for Humanities Abroad will provide scholarships for students participating in faculty-led study programs in numerous countries.
These programs span the globe, with destinations including Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Japan. The endowment ensures that financial constraints are less of a barrier for humanities students seeking international experience.
University's Broader Goal
This donation aligns with a major institutional priority set by University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella. The university has a stated objective to triple the number of students who participate in study-abroad programs, viewing international education as a critical component of a modern degree.
John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation, highlighted the long-term impact of the donation. “Thanks to the endowment they’ve created, generations of students in the humanities will be able to study the world’s languages and cultures outside of the classroom as well as inside,” he stated. “It’s a profound legacy for this campus.”
From the Court to the Classroom
Beyond the financial support, Steve Kerr is deepening his ties to the university by accepting the role of honorary professor at the College of Humanities. While he will continue his demanding job as head coach of the Golden State Warriors, this new position will allow him to contribute academically.
Alain-Philippe Durand, Dean of the College of Humanities, confirmed that Kerr's role is still being defined. Possibilities include Kerr participating in information sessions with scholarship recipients, delivering guest lectures, and getting involved with the university's Humanities Seminars Program, which is open to the wider community and does not involve grades or exams.
“As a student, I really gravitated toward the things I loved — reading and writing. I just wanted to have a well-rounded education and be prepared for whatever I was facing. And I can tell you today as a coach, I use that humanities education every single day.”
Kerr emphasized the practical value of his own education, explaining how skills developed through humanities studies are applicable in any career, including professional sports coaching. “Your education is going to factor in no matter what you do for a living,” he said.
Inspired by a Global Upbringing
Kerr's passion for cultural exchange is rooted in his own childhood. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, to academic parents, he spent significant time in countries like France, Tunisia, and Egypt. This exposure to different cultures at a young age left a lasting impression on him.
“Having grown up overseas and traveled throughout my childhood, I realize and recognize how important cultural exchange and studying abroad can be and I wanted to help provide that opportunity for other humanities students at the U of A,” Kerr explained.
A Legacy of Philanthropy
Steve Kerr's commitment to education follows a family tradition. His mother, Ann Zwicker Kerr-Adams, established the Kerr Family Centennial Scholars Endowment at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2017 to support the Center for Near Eastern Studies.
He recalled how living in Cairo as a teenager exposed him to a level of poverty he had never witnessed before, yet he also saw joy and community. He noted the power of “community and sports and art and music and things that bring joy to people’s lives,” regardless of economic circumstances.
This perspective fuels his belief in the power of travel for young adults.
“There’s no experience like traveling, especially as a college student, when you are old enough to really appreciate it but young enough to have some freedom and to see how the world is forming before your eyes.”
The Enduring Value of Humanities
The donation serves as a powerful endorsement for the humanities at a time when many universities are focusing on STEM fields. Dean Durand emphasized the importance of a dedicated College of Humanities, which he says is supported by the university's administration.
He noted that President Garimella's vision for a land-grant university extends beyond traditional fields like agriculture and engineering. “The humanities are needed for all of those things,” Durand stated. “You cannot do space exploration without critical thinking, collaboration, adaptability, or all the skills and competencies we teach and research.”
Kerr, a nine-time NBA champion as a player and coach, graduated from the university in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. His success, both on and off the court, stands as a testament to the versatile and enduring skills fostered by a well-rounded education.
President Garimella praised the Kerrs as inspirational role models. “We have made it a key institutional priority to triple study abroad participation because we believe that an international education can be a life-changing experience,” he said, framing the gift as a perfect example of what Wildcats can achieve with an intercultural perspective.
