TV Producer Gives $1 Million Gift to Upstate New York College

Before becoming one of the most successful television producers of all-time, Chuck Lorre attended college in Upstate New York.

Years before that, he was born in Plainview, NY. That happened in 1952, and years later, he would arrive on the campus of SUNY Potsdam. He lasted two full years, from 1970 through 1972, before dropping out to pursue a music career.

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Unfortunately for Lorre, his song-writing career was short-lived, and in the early 1980's, he pivoted to script-writing. That decision changed his life, and indirectly changed the lives of millions of television viewers in the process.

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Today, Lorre is regarded as one of the best comedic television producers of all-time. His credits include, but are certainly not limited to: Roseanne (1990–2018), Cybill (1995–1998), Dharma & Greg (1997–2002), Two and a Half Men (2003–2015), The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), Mom (2013–2021), Young Sheldon (2017–2024) and The Kominsky Method (2018–2021).

Despite all of that success, Lorre has not forgotten his roots in Upstate. As reported by New York Upstate, Lorre returned to SUNY Potsdam for the first time since 2009 for a speaking engagement on Monday afternoon.

As documented on the SUNY Potsdam website, [d]uring a public talk with hundreds of campus and community members in attendance, Lorre pulled out a surprise $1 million check and presented it to President Suzanne Smith.

On his return to Potsdam and his gift to the university, Lorre said:

"Part of coming back today was to have a chance to say, especially to the students sitting here, there’s a great educational opportunity here, and although I didn’t take it, I hope you all take it." - Chuck Lorre via New York Upstate

President Smith said that the university was overwhelmed and overjoyed at Lorre's generosity, and referred to his gift and message as being transformational.