On May 8, graduates of North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles gathered at Reynolds Coliseum for what they expected to be a traditional commencement ceremony. But the event quickly became a major headline in Indian-origin US news coverage. 

Anil Kochhar, an Indian-American philanthropist, stepped onto the stage as commencement speaker. What followed was an announcement that immediately spread across social media and news platforms.  

In honor of his father, he declared that he and his wife Marilyn Kochhar would pay off all final-year student loans for the graduating class of 2025–26. The gift covered 176 undergraduate students and 26 master’s students, with estimates of the total US student loan debt relief ranging between $4 million and $8 million. 

The reaction was instant.

Cheers, shock, and emotional celebrations filled the hall as students realized they were witnessing a rare moment of large-scale US student loan forgiveness. 

Who is Anil Kochhar?

Anil Kochhar, an Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, is a major benefactor of North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles. He co-founded and serves as vice chairman of Outcomes Health Info Solutions, a US-based healthcare technology company that serves pharmacies, payers, and pharmaceutical firms.  

The Inspiring Journey of Prakash Chand Kochhar 

The story begins in 1946, when Prakash Chand Kochhar traveled from Punjab, India, to Raleigh. Like many early Indians abroad, he came to the United States with limited resources but strong ambition, enrolling at North Carolina State University to study textile manufacturing. 

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950 and his master’s degree in 1952. He later worked at Industrial Rayon in New York City as a sales service coordinator, building a life in the United States through education and opportunity.

Kochhar Family’s Philanthropic Legacy at NC State 

The Kochhar family’s connection to education continued beyond that. After Prakash Chand Kochhar passed away in 1985, his wife Christine Hayes Kochhar established the Prakash Chand Kochhar Memorial Textile Scholarship in 1986 at North Carolina State University. This marked the beginning of long-term philanthropic support for textile education. 

Over the years, the family has continued contributing through multiple endowments, including:

• The Prakash Chand Kochhar Dean’s Chair Endowment
• The Prakash Chand Kochhar Endowed Faculty Fund
• The Prakash Chand Kochhar Graduate Support Endowment

These funds have been supporting faculty research, student development, travel, and academic growth at Wilson College. 

For many Indian-origin students in the US, this gesture meant less financial stress for families who often spend significantly on education.

The post Meet Anil Kochhar: Indian-Origin Philanthropist Who Announces $4–8 Million Student Loan Payoff for 202 Graduates at NC State appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.