Philanthropy touches every part of the University. Through the support of our engaged and generous donors, Penn is able to inspire impact locally and globally. Here is a small sample of recent gifts that are fueling the University’s drive to advance knowledge for good.
Giving Highlights
A selection of recent gifts inspiring impact across the University
Winter 2026
Carolyn H. McGrory, Nu’57, and her late husband, Robert, established the McGrory Family Endowed Fellowship at Penn Nursing in support of master’s-level nurses. Their wish was to honor the nursing profession and her family’s ongoing commitment to higher education, public service, and public health. This gift was generously matched by Andrea Berry Laporte, Nu’69, Trustee Emerita, emerita member of the Penn Nursing Board of Advisors, and current member of the ICA’s Board of Advisors.
Joshua Beer, C’00, WG’08, made a $400,000 gift to establish the Sue and Sandy Schwartz Economics Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to undergraduates in the College.
In support of Penn GSE’s strategic vision, Together for Good, Andrea Pollack, C’83, L’87, GeD’17, and Adam Usdan endowed the Usdan Family Professorship in Special Education.
Jerry Rehm committed $750,000 to the Penn Libraries in memory of Dr. H. Michael Neiditch, C’68. His gift will establish a student-worker fellowship supporting hands-on learning for students interested in academic librarianship and an endowment in support of materials processing, advancing access to unique library collections.
Nana Murugesan, WG’09, has endowed the Narayanan Murugesan WG’09 Family Scholarship to support Penn undergraduates with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. His generous gift strengthens Penn’s commitment to ensuring that the next generation of Penn students will shape the future through bold ideas and purpose-driven leadership.
This year’s 14th annual Run for the Stripes event at the Philadelphia Zoo rallied the community in support of neuroendocrine tumor research at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, honoring the memory and vision of founder Jan Eisner. Thanks to the passion of participants and the steadfast leadership of the event board members, the event raised $95,000 this year, bringing the lifetime total donations to $805,000.
In honor of their 20th reunions, Sean Lambert, ENG’05, and Sarah Lambert, C’05, made a $3 million gift to name the Galleria in Amy Gutmann Hall, Penn Engineering’s state-of-the-art hub for data science and AI. Penn holds special meaning for the couple—Sean and Sarah met during their sophomore year—and this gift reflects their enduring gratitude for the experiences and community that have shaped their lives.
Matt Caltabiano, ENG’18, W’18, made a $25,000 gift to support the sprint football endowment and the Sprint Football Varsity Fund. His gift was designed to inspire endowment and annual fund support from younger alumni.
Melanie Nussdorf, CW’71, gave $216,000 to create the Nussdorf Fund for Anchor Initiatives at the Penn Institute for Urban Research in order to make cities around the world more livable and vibrant.
Jesse Shapiro, C’96, PAR’29, and Danielle Samulon, PAR’29, gave $150,000 to establish an endowed unrestricted fund for the Netter Center for Community Partnerships and $12,500 to support the Class of 1996 Reunion Fund.
Drs. Jane, FEL’70, and Abass Alavi, FEL’70, pledged $50,000 to the Morris Arboretum & Gardens in support of critical plant science research. Morris’s new Plant Science Lab will advance important research efforts such as mitigating the impact of climate change on plants and other crucial matters undertaken by plant researchers at Morris, Penn, and other institutions.
Julie Beren Platt, C’79, and Marc E. Platt, C’79, made a pair of leadership gifts to elevate Jewish Studies at Penn Arts & Sciences. The Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt Professorship of Jewish Studies will provide support for eminent scholars in the field, facilitating trailblazing research and innovative educational opportunities that might have otherwise been out of reach, and the Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt Jewish Studies Program Fund will strengthen graduate student connections and engagement with programming such as a biannual conference, seminars, and workshops.
Julie Beren Platt, C’79, and Marc E. Platt, C’79, made a visionary gift to Penn Live Arts to name the Platt Student Performing Arts Center, currently under construction at the intersection of 33rd Street and Woodland Walk. The new building will include 38,700 square feet of performance, teaching, rehearsal, and practice spaces for use by the 2,000+ students involved in the performing arts on campus.
The Kane Wallace Foundation gave $5 million to fund the Edward W. Kane Theatre in the new Platt Student Performing Arts Center. This new 325-seat theatre will serve the 2,000-plus undergraduate students on Penn’s campus who participate in performance groups ranging from dance to musical theatre and beyond.
Eric Brahin, ENG’00, GEng’01, and Jacqueline Brahin made a $75,000 gift to Penn Live Arts to support the Carnegie Student Performance Showcase.
Andrea E. Utecht, G’72, L’75, WG’75, made a $50,000 unrestricted gift to Penn Carey Law in honor of her 50th law school reunion.
Harrison Jo, D’10, and Hojung Cho, D’10, gave $175,000 to endow a scholarship at Penn Dental Medicine to honor how the School provided a strong foundation for their careers and inspired their passion for serving others.
Lira Lee Cohen, C’90, W’90, and Jon Cohen, W’91, made a $250,000 gift to the School of Social Policy & Practice to support financial aid, the SP2 Annual Fund, and the Dean’s Fund.
Penn Engineering received an $11 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation to expand the institution’s Clark Scholars Program, a holistic initiative that combines financial aid, mentorship, service, and entrepreneurship to prepare future engineers to lead, innovate, and give back.
Penn’s Institute for Urban Research received a $10 million anonymous gift to advance research, education, and policy solutions for the cities of today and tomorrow.
A $21 million gift from the estate of Louise A. Strauss, C’82, will support multiple areas across the University, including Penn Arts & Sciences’ Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies, the Rare Judaica Acquisitions Endowment Fund in the Penn Libraries, and the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.
