Michael Fountain '91: A Champion for the Humanities

Some students discover their career calling during their first year of college. Michael Fountain '91 was not one of them.

Initially enrolling as a physics major, Fountain spent his first months at Bucknell questioning his academic path. Driven by passion more than practicality, he followed his curiosity and pivoted his major to philosophy. And while his journey was marked by pauses (he left in sophomore year, returned, and quit again in junior year, ultimately finishing a semester late), Fountain found his spark in Bucknell's intimate, discussion-driven classes.

"Bucknell got me excited about what I was studying and about thinking," Fountain says. "I didn't focus on the big 'what am I going to do with my life?' question. And that was a good thing because how would I know? I'd barely experienced anything."

After graduation, Fountain pursued work in Washington, D.C.'s film industry, reaching out to 30 companies and offering to intern for free. Only one, Guggenheim Productions, said yes — but it gave him the foothold he needed. Throughout his early experience, he learned about craft, resilience and the importance of getting things done.

He also realized that creative careers demand both talent and courage.

Fountain eventually founded his own production company, Writebrain Films. In addition to movies and television, he spent the last 13 years creating content for a company that partners with universities around the world to create online master's programs — work that is a testament to his firm belief in the humanities.

Now, Fountain and his wife, Laurel, have ensured the humanities remain a focal point at Bucknell University through an endowment gift that bolsters the mission and future endeavors of the Bucknell Humanities Center (BHC). The establishment of this endowment by the Fountains underscores the importance of sustaining humanities education and enhances the center's ability to deliver on its ambitious objectives.

"College is an opportunity to explore ideas," he says. "You get to just think, be creative and see what happens."

The gift directly supports the BHC's primary goals to enhance the visibility of the humanities on the Bucknell campus and beyond, coordinate cross-departmental humanities initiatives, and create an environment conducive to pedagogical excellence and student and faculty scholarship. By providing a steady stream of funding, the endowment enables the center to embark on long-term planning and programming with financial stability.

Established in 2016 with initial support from President John Bravman and a $600,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the center has relied on a combination of support from the President's Discretionary Fund, a fixed budget allocation from Bucknell University and external grants. However, these sources do not guarantee long-term security or the ability to expand the center's reach and impact.

The establishment of the humanities endowment by the Fountains offers a financial backbone, ensuring the BHC will maintain and potentially expand its role in fostering student and faculty scholarship, pedagogical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, Fountain hopes the endowment inspires other alumni and donors to contribute, ensuring a cumulative effect that bolsters the center's financial foundation even further.

Fountain's action sends a powerful message about the value of humanities education and its relevance in today's world. It encourages a culture of philanthropy within the Bucknell community focused on nurturing students' critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills. This new endowment gift lays a critical cornerstone for the Bucknell Humanities Center's ongoing and future success, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for humanities scholarship and education.