Eicholtz-Eden Acting Scholarship

The Jon T. Eicholtz and Barbara Eden Acting Scholarship​ was established in 2014 to provide one full-cost undergraduate scholarship (in-state tuition, fees, books, typical residence hall room and board) for students studying to be professional actors at the University of Kansas in the theatre performance concentration of the Department. The scholarship is renewable.

After growing up in Topeka, Jon Eicholtz earned a bachelor's degree from KU in architectural engineering in 1962. His career in construction management and, later, real estate development, took him across the U.S., including New York City, Dallas, New Orleans, Honolulu and Los Angeles. Early in his career, he served as project manager during construction of Commerce Tower, a 30-story skyscraper that is prominent in the Kansas City, Missouri, skyline.

Barbara Eden is an actress and singer. She starred in the popular 1960s television series I Dream of Jeannie, which ran for five seasons. The show has aired continuously on cable and in syndications for more than five decades. She has starred in 25 feature films, five network TV series and 19 top-rated network made-for-television movies. She has headlined at major hotel resorts and casinos, including Lake Tahoe, Atlantic City and Las Vegas, and she continues to perform for audiences in the U.S. and abroad.

Eicholtz and Eden were inspired to create this scholarship after visiting campus in February of 2014 at the invitation of the Chancellor. During that trip, they visited KU Theatre and Eden spoke to students about her life and career.

Students are required to submit an audition reel for the scholarship which is presented by vote of a special committee that includes the theatre performance faculty of the Department.