Coming Home, Giving Back: Paul and Gale Kirby’s Lasting Commitment to UWSP

By Kim Westerman

When Paul Kirby walked across the stage to graduate from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point in December of 1978, he carried with him more than a degree. He carried the profound sense that UWSP had given him the foundation for a well-lived life. Decades later, he and his wife, Gale, are honoring that gift with an unprecedented act of generosity: the largest alumni contribution ever made in the university’s history. Their commitment will ensure that UWSP continues to shape lives for generations to come.

Finding Direction at UWSP

Paul arrived at UWSP as a commuter student, unsure of what might come next. His older brother had pushed him to attend college, and the draft number hanging over him added urgency. The transition wasn’t easy — he lost his father at 19, relied on Social Security and veterans’ benefits, and often juggled up to three jobs to make ends meet.

One of those jobs was at Mr. Lucky’s, a disco across the street from the dorms. Paul started as a bartender and eventually became assistant manager. It was a fun social environment that balanced out his days in classes and the library. It was also the place where he met Gale, who had grown up in Stevens Point. Their connection grew into a lifelong partnership rooted in shared values of hard work, saving, and community.

A turning point in Paul’s academic journey came when his Baldwin Hall residence director, John Timcak, noticed that he wasn’t living up to his potential. As Paul puts it, he was a young man “overcome with freedom.” Timcak’s encouragement spurred Paul to refocus, and he soon found a better balance between work, social life, and academics, eventually earning a place on the Dean’s List. Professors like Richard Christofferson, Sr., and Edward Miller in Political Science, Clifford Morrison and William Skelton in History, and Oliver Andrews in Chemistry left lasting impressions. One particularly memorable class with historian Stephen Pistono required every student to teach a class — a challenge that immediately reduced the class size but gave Paul a kind of confidence he never forgot.

“I feel like when I look at the course of my life, I attribute a lot of the good that has happened to me to my UWSP experience,” Paul says.

Building a Life Together

After graduation, Paul launched his career in retail finance, developing a reputation for hiring and mentoring strong teams — something he credits to the leadership skills first nurtured at UWSP. Gale also pursued a career in finance, and together they built a life defined by diligence and generosity.

The Kirbys attribute their ability to give not to extraordinary wealth, but to a lifetime of discipline. Paul calls himself “the master of the obvious” when it comes to financial advice: “You simply have to spend less than you make. Save steadily, live within your means, and let time do the heavy lifting. It’s not glamorous advice, but it works — and it’s why we’re able to make this gift.”

Gale adds, “Our ability to leave this gift comes from a lifetime of careful saving and a desire to see UWSP thrive, because when the university thrives, so does the community.”

A Gift Without Boundaries

Initially, the Kirbys considered establishing a scholarship fund to support individual students. But in the end, they chose to make their gift unrestricted, entrusting UWSP’s leaders to use it where it will make the broadest impact. “All education is under attack,” Paul notes. “We want our support to reach the largest number of students possible.”

Their generosity is not just about dollars — it’s about modeling a way of thinking. “We tend to like to work behind the scenes, but we hope this gift will be publicized in a way that makes people stop and consider what they’re doing with their own resources,” Paul says. “We hope it inspires others to act locally, responsibly, and generously.”

Paul and Gale Kirby’s journey embodies the transformative power of education, community, and partnership. Their gift ensures that future students — especially those who, like Paul, arrive a little uncertain of what’s next — will find their way at UWSP, just as he did nearly 50 years ago.