Indian-born philanthropist Anil Kochhar announced that he will pay the educational loan of 176 graduate students at the Wilson College of Textiles in North Carolina where his father taught.
Indian-American philanthropist Anil Kochhar, who was the speaker at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles commencement on May 8, surprised the 176 graduates by announcing that he and his wife would pay off their education loan so that the graduates could freely pursue their dreams without worrying about money.“I am honored to announce today that in honor of my parents, Prakash Chand Kochhar, Marilyn and I will make a graduation gift to cover all final-year education loans incurred by Wilson College graduates during the 2025-26 academic year,” Kochhar said in making the announcement. The hall erupted with cheers.
“Marilyn and I hope that you will all leave Reynolds Coliseum today not only with a degree but with more freedom to pursue your goals, take risks, and build the lives you have worked so hard to achieve.”“Eighty years ago, a young man traveled thousands of miles from India to Raleigh with nothing but hope and determination. He could not have known where this journey would lead him. He could not have imagined the life it would create, or that his son would one day stand here and speak to a graduating class at the same institution that welcomed him,” said Anil Kochhar.“My father could not have imagined this moment,” Kuchar said. “It’s not just me standing here, but all of you sitting here.”
“A new generation, shaped by a different world, but connected by the same spirit of possibility that brought them here decades ago. And that’s what he stands for today.”
Who is Anil Kochhar? father?
Prakash Chand Kochhar was born in Punjab, India and was the second Indian student to join Wilson University in 1946. In 1950, he obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1952 and joined the textile industry. A year after his death in 1985, his wife, whom he met at North Carolina College, Christine Hayes Kochhar, took the initiative to establish the Prakash Chand Kochhar Memorial Textile Endowment for the university.Anil Kochhar and his wife, Marilyn, took over the legacy and initiated three gifts to the university.
- Dean Prakash Chand Kochhar Dean’s Chair Endowment, to provide support to the Dean and/or general resources of the college.
- Prakash Chand Kochhar Endowed College Fund, to provide awards for five years and provide funding for activities such as recruitment, support for student workers with faculty, professional development, travel and research.
- Prakash Chand Kochhar Graduate Support Scholarship, to provide graduate students in the Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science with support for activities such as research, travel and conference attendance.
