Jay Leno auctioning off garage tour to benefit UMass Lowell scholarship named after his Andover gym teacher

Comedian Jay Leno is auctioning a private tour of his Burbank, California, garage—home to over 250 rare cars and 150 motorcycles—to raise funds for the Professor Joseph Dorsey Memorial Scholarship at UMass Lowell. The auction, running June 8–12 on the university’s website, will benefit physical therapy students who show strong academics, leadership, and community dedication. The scholarship honors Dorsey, who founded UMass Lowell’s physical therapy program and was Leno’s high school gym teacher at Andover High School in Massachusetts. Leno, who credits Dorsey with shaping his character, has hosted garage tours for nearly 30 years to support education-focused charities. All proceeds will go toward reducing student debt, an issue Leno has criticized as unacceptable in the world’s wealthiest nation. The auction follows Leno’s past efforts to fund scholarships, including one for a creative writing teacher at Andover who encouraged his comedy career despite his dyslexia. UMass Lowell, ranked among the top states for higher education, has long emphasized academic and leadership development. Leno’s garage, known as the 'Big Dog Garage,' has previously supported causes through similar fundraisers. The online auction is open from June 8 to June 12 at uml.edu/lenogarage.