(Springfield, MO) -- Retired "Price is Right" host Bob Barker may not be on TV anymore, but he's making news in the Ozarks again. The TV icon came home to Drury University to drop another major financial gift on the school. Barker wanted to tell us about the first of its kind program the money will fund.

"What we're doing here today is something they're going to be talking about all across the country" says Bob Barker, Drury Alumni.

It's a check for $1,000,000 that will start that dialogue. Barker is giving his alma matter the money to establish the Dorothy Jo Barker Professorship in Animal Rights. Named for Barker's late wife, the program will offer intense course study on animal issues like cruelty and philosophy.

"It's taught by 6 professors all experts in their field. There's no other class like this in the United States" says professor Dr. Patricia McEachern.

"At the very least, the students who take this class will have more respect for animals" says Barker.

This gift should come as no surprise to people who watched Barker on "The Price is Right" and heard him urging viewers to get their pets spayed and neutered. Barker says his deep passion for animal rights was born about 40 years ago when he was asked to do some TV commercials for an animal shelter in Los Angeles. That's when Barker says he learned of so many atrocities against animals, that he felt compelled to get involved.

"It's become a real passion for me" says Barker.

That's part of why Barker is funding animal study programs at Drury and eight other universities. He hopes those who benefit from the program will learn to act locally.

"They should really be helping local organization. We're trying to help grassroots organizations" says Barker.
While Barker jokes that his frequent trips back to the Ozarks are getting expensive, the showman is always serious about one message.

"Only one way I know to close an interview. Help control the pet population, have your pet spayed or neutered" laughs Barker.

Today's check is in addition to another $1,000,000 gift Barker gave to establish a Drury animal rights forum last fall. As part of it's thanks, the school tracked down and gave Barker the actual jersey he wore when he played basketball for the school in 1947.