Horejsi Family makes $10 million commitment to KU Gateway District project

August 1, 2024

Family’s transformative gift marks three decades of philanthropic support for KU.

The Horejsi name has been synonymous with the University of Kansas and KU Athletics for decades. The family’s three generations of Jayhawks and thirty years of philanthropic support for KU started with Stewart Horejsi, a native of Salina, Kansas, who was the first in his family to attend college, earning a bachelor’s degree in business at KU in 1959. Two more generations of Jayhawks and a legacy of impact across academics and athletics followed.

Today, KU Chancellor Douglas Girod and KU Director of Athletics Travis Goff announce the family’s $10 million commitment to the Gateway District Project and reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. This is the latest gift in the family’s continuous support for KU which includes contributions for KU Volleyball and the game-changing Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, support for the School of Business, student scholarships, KU Golf, the Booth Hall of Athletics and the Wagnon Study Center.

“I am proud to have my children and grandchildren join me in committing to this gift that will make a difference across KU,” Stewart Horejsi said. “It’s important to us and to so many other Jayhawks.”

Goff lauded the Horejsi family’s latest commitment and its impact on KU and Kansas Athletics.

“An ambitious project and vision require ambitious supporters” Goff said. “The Horejsi and Ciciora families are precisely that and have heeded the call to invest in the future of our University and Kansas Athletics. This is a family of remarkable Jayhawks and even better people and we are exceptionally grateful for their profound support.”

Stewart’s daughter Susan (Horejsi) Ciciora, who earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1987, said the Gateway District, including the new north campus entrance, will be a fantastic addition to KU and a great place to gather for games — something that often brings three generations of the family together. The family agreed the project is an essential element for the university’s growth and recruitment.

“We were raised as Jayhawks and KU has had a significant impact on our lives. This gift ensures future families will have the same opportunity we had to fall in love with this special place,” said Susan, who with husband John Ciciora, have three children who are KU alumni.

I am proud to have my children and grandchildren join me in committing to this gift that will make a difference across KU.

Stewart Horejsi

Son Jack graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, followed in 2018 by daughter Amanda, who followed in her mother’s footsteps with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. The third child, daughter Courtney, graduated with a degree in journalism in 2022.

The Gateway District will develop the north entrance to campus in a profound way to drive student enrollment and economic benefit to Lawrence and the state, while also bolstering the trajectory of the KU football program. The project includes a new campus gateway, hotel, multi-use space for conferences and transformed football facilities — all of which will strengthen KU’s ability to recruit and retain students.

“The Horejsi family’s support turned our volleyball venue into a world-class arena for our student-athletes and fans, and this latest commitment will have a similar impact on not just our football program, but the entire university through the Gateway District,” said Chancellor Girod. “We are grateful for their continued investment in the University of Kansas.”

Susan, who is a director of the Horejsi Charitable Foundation, said the family’s philanthropy and profound loyalty to KU started with her father Stewart and sprang from a deep appreciation of his KU education and experiences. It has grown stronger through each generation’s own KU journeys, including her brother John Horejsi, who graduated from KU in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

“We are thrilled to provide this gift to support KU football and the whole KU family,” said John. “We hope other generational Jayhawk families continue to join us in investing in the future of KU and Kansas Athletics.”

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Posted on

August 1, 2024