Penn’s campus is a meaningful place for Andrew Rechtschaffen, W’99, WG’00, and Monique Rechtschaffen, C’00, because it is where they met for the first time—in the Hillel dining room as undergraduate students. They went on to establish lifetime friendships and build the foundations for their professional careers.
“Penn is such an essential part of our history and our lives. Every time we return to campus, the memories come flooding back,” said the Rechtschaffens. “Every square inch of campus, every building, and every bench triggers a wonderful set of memories of our time here.”
The evolution of campus that they have witnessed inspired them to invest in a major capital project at the Wharton School by naming a seminar room in the Wharton Academic Research Building (WARB), currently under construction at 37th and Spruce Streets.
“The University has done an exceptional job of investing in, expanding, and improving every aspect of its campus and learning environments while providing ever-greater opportunities to its students,” said Andrew. “We wanted to be a part of that incredible evolution and expansion, and by making a gift to WARB, we have found a wonderful way to achieve that goal.”
The Rechtschaffens’ gift to WARB supports a priority area for Wharton in the midst of the More Than Ever campaign. When construction is complete in fall 2020, WARB will become the academic hub for data and analytics and provide much-needed mixed-use space. The Rechtschaffen Seminar Room, on the first floor overlooking the Quad from across Spruce Street, will provide space for dynamic teaching and learning.
Andrew and Monique’s involvement with Wharton and Penn has evolved and deepened over time. Shortly after graduating, they established an undergraduate scholarship for students in Wharton and the College. They have since added to the fund and are proud of the students who have benefitted from it.
“The value of scholarship programs, in terms of the opportunities they provide to incredibly deserving individuals and the ways in which they enhance and enrich the community at Penn, was clear to us from our own experiences,” said the Rechtschaffens.
As a newer member of Wharton’s Alumni Executive Board, Andrew has enjoyed opportunities to connect with other alumni who want to remain deeply involved with the School and contribute to its future. He looks forward to supporting the School’s progress as a leader in innovation.
“Penn and Wharton have been a core part of our lives since graduating 20 years ago, and I expect that they will remain so for decades to come.”
Learn more about named scholarships and how you can support Wharton.
