In the 1960s, actress Barbara Eden became famous playing the role of a genie who could grant wishes on the popular TV show, “I Dream of Jeannie.”

Now, she and her husband, Kansas University alumnus Jon Eicholtz, hope to fulfill the wishes of aspiring actors and actresses in KU’s Theater Department.

Eden and Eichotz recently donated $300,000 to fund an undergraduate scholarship for KU students who plan to be professional actors.

Speaking by phone from their home in Beverly Hills, Calif., Eicholtz said they made the decision after a recent visit to the KU campus, where they attended a Jayhawks basketball game and Eden spoke to a large group of theater students.

Actress Barbara Eden and her husband, Kansas University alumnus Jon Eicholtz, recently donated 00,000 to fund an undergraduate scholarship for aspiring actors in KU's Theater Department.

“We felt there was a need,” Eicholtz said. “We inquired and learned there were no scholarships available for would-be actors, at least none specifically focused on acting that we could ascertain.”

Eicholtz grew up in Topeka and graduated and earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from KU in 1962. Now semi-retired, he worked for many years as a construction manager during a career that took him throughout the United States and around the world. He said he met Eden through mutual friends and they have been happily married for 23 years.

The gift counts toward KU’s $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, “Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas.” The campaign seeks support “to educate future leaders, advance medicine, accelerate discovery and drive economic growth to seize the opportunities of the future,” KU officials said.