Academy Award-winning actor Kirk Douglas has appeared in more than 85 films, including "Spartacus," "Gunfight at the OK Corral" and "Lust for Life." The American Film Institute has named him one of the 50 greatest screen legends of all time.

A superb actor whose memorable roles have earned him a niche in American film history, Mr. Douglas is also emblematic of the American Dream. Born Issur Danielovitch to Russian Jewish immigrants, he grew up in Amsterdam, N.Y., and attended St. Lawrence University, graduating in 1939.

Mr. Douglas, who was also known as Isadore Demsky at St. Lawrence, served as president of student government and was a member of the wrestling team. He and his wife, Anne Buydens Douglas, have been generous donors to the college, giving $1 million in 1999 to establish the Kirk Douglas Scholarship Fund to benefit minority students.

The Douglases recently added a second $1 million gift to the fund, which helps junior and senior minority students who are excelling academically and demonstrate leadership qualities.

The gift will help many worthy students. It will advance the college's quest to attract students from many backgrounds and parts of the world.

The desire to give back to a school that, in some way, shaped and formed you is a noble instinct. Providing opportunity to deserving students is a gesture that benefits the greater good.

Mr. Douglas said he believed that "every person should make the world better in any way they can." Such blessings have a way of being passed on.