The University of Vermont (UVM) community lost a very special member last week. Eugene Kalkin ’50, HON’98 of Bernardsville, New Jersey passed away on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at the age of 94. He was a tremendous supporter of the University and has made a lasting impact.
Eugene was active with several UVM Boards of Advisors, including the Grossman School of Business (GSB), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources (RSENR). He also was the founding chair of the UVM Foundation Board of Directors and inspired many of the University’s most active and generous supporters to even greater levels of commitment. As well, he was a volunteer and donor supporting several other areas on campus. Through these connections over the years, many members of GSB, UVM, and UVM Foundation staff have enjoyed warm relationships and interactions with Eugene.
About Eugene Kalkin
Eugene Kalkin had a long and distinguished career in retailing, most notably as the innovative founder of the highly successful chain Linens ‘n Things. When he launched Linens ‘n Things in 1975, he applied what at the time was a novel set of merchandising techniques to develop a chain of stores selling quality products at discount prices in a no-frills warehouse environment. When Eugene sold the company in 1983, Linens ‘n Things had become one of the nation’s largest and most profitable specialty retailers of home textiles, housewares, and decorative home accessories.
A Lasting Impact for Generations of GSB Students
“Eugene and Joan Kalkin were great friends and supporters of the Grossman School of Business. During my tenure as dean at the School, both Eugene and Joan took great pride in the many successes of the school and kept regularly in touch. Of course Kalkin Hall, in which we work every day, is a testament to their generosity,” said GSB Dean Sanjay Sharma.
“The Kalkin Retailing Initiative, which brings in speakers for our students to talk about latest developments in retailing, is another initiative that both Joan and Eugene generously funded for GSB. Their generosity and legacy will be with the Grossman School forever,” he continued.
Kalkin Retailing Initiative
The Eugene and Joan Kalkin Retailing Initiative at the Grossman School of Business was set up via an endowment established by Eugene and Joan Kalkin to support academic and professional development of students in the area of retailing. The Initiative includes academic and professional activities that expand based on student engagement and interest, including: new and expanded course offerings; experiential opportunities; networking opportunities with industry experts at top trade events, as well as on campus and on-site; scholarship opportunities through the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation; speakers on innovations in retailing; an annual Careers in Retailing alumni/professional panel for students on campus; participation in case competitions; and the founding of a UVM chapter of the National Retail Federation Student Association (NRFSA) for UVM students interested in learning more about internships, careers and opportunities in retailing.
Dr. Amy Tomas, senior lecturer and director of undergraduate programs, is the coordinator of the Initiative. “In the spring of 2022, Mr. Kalkin himself was a special guest on campus for the Kalkin Corporate Retail Strategy seminar. During the seminar, Mr. Kalkin shared insights from his own journey in retailing, his very first jobs in the industry through to the founding of Linens ’n Things. Students asked for and heard lessons learned, and wisdom for navigating careers in the retailing world of today,” said Dr. Tomas. “No one in the room could have missed the passion for retailing in every observation shared and every story told. The visit left a lasting impression on everyone in the room. I am very grateful to have witnessed Mr. Kalkin’s support and enthusiasm for retailing initiatives in GSB over the years, and to have been able to share that enthusiasm with our students.”
The Kalkins’ Philanthropy at GSB
With his wife Joan, Eugene Kalkin has been a leading philanthropist at the UVM for five decades. By establishing this Fund at the Grossman School of Business, the Kalkins are paying tribute to Eugene’s long and distinguished career as a retailer. This Fund is also an important part of their legacy of philanthropy, which includes their historic gift of $1.3 million in 1986 to build a school of business facility. This building was later named Kalkin Hall in their honor.
The Kalkins' generous gift led the charge for alumni to give to their alma mater and be proud to support the first comprehensive campaign at UVM. As a result, the Foundation’s highest recognition is named the Eugene and Joan Kalkin Lifetime Distinguished Leadership Award in honor of the Kalkins. Eugene and Joan were the inaugural recipients. Watch the award video prepared in their honor that highlights their impact.
Eugene’s Generosity Lives On
Memorial services for Eugene Kalkin were held on November 17, 2023. He has asked that donations are made to his fund at GSB, the Eugene and Joan Kalkin Retail Initiative Endowment Fund. The Grossman School of Business community is thankful for his enduring support to create a world class business school even today.
Learn more about Eugene Kalkin and his impact on the University in this tribute penned by the University of Vermont Foundation.