University of Arizona alumni Steve Kerr and his wife Margot Kerr have made a generous $1 million gift commitment to support study abroad scholarships for students in the College of Humanities. The Kerr Family Endowment for Humanities Abroad will provide scholarships for College of Humanities students participating in faculty-led study abroad programs in Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Japan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Germany.
Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities, and Louise Catherine Taylor, ASUA Senator and German major, spoke with KOLD News about the impact of this transformational gift on the college’s study abroad opportunities. Dean Durand expressed his gratitude to the Kerr family for their continued support of College of Humanities programs, emphasizing that study abroad experiences allow students to apply the knowledge, skills, and competencies developed through their humanities education. “These programs prepare our students to be adaptable and flexible especially as they enter the workforce,” Durand said.
German Major Louise Taylor, who participated in Arizona Summer Study in Leipzig 2024, reflected on how the experience shaped her academic and personal growth. “Studying abroad broadened my worldview, strengthened my independence, and allowed me to develop my German language and communication skills,” she said. “I was able to experience German culture firsthand and form lifelong friendships. This gift will make it possible for more students to have those same opportunities.” Taylor encouraged fellow students to take advantage of the College of Humanities’ study abroad programs, noting that the Kerrs’ generosity will help make these life-changing experiences accessible to many more COH majors and minors.
You can find the interview with KOLD here: https://www.kold.com/2025/11/07/tucson-now-arizona-legend-commits-1-million-study-abroad-programs/
and read more about the gift fund here: https://humanities.arizona.edu/news/steve-kerr-announces-1m-gift-fund-college-humanities-study-abroad