UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, has pledged a $50,000 gift to bolster research at Penn State’s Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research.
This contribution, matched by the University, will propel applied research initiatives aimed at cultivating safer Jewish chapters and fostering thriving fraternity and sorority communities.
“This gift will allow us to continue supporting the Greek life community by providing valuable insight from Jewish students and their fraternity and sorority community experiences,” said Stevan Veldkamp, executive director of the Piazza Center. “Together, we are learning and implementing practices to make students safe and create thriving Greek life for all students, including those with Jewish identities. Our research will focus on historically Jewish chapters and members and how we can support those who hold Jewish identities, both in Greek communities and peer organizations.”
As part of its research mission, the Piazza Center is collaborating with Jewish fraternity and sororities to determine best practices in supporting students who hold Jewish identities and are involved Greek life. Planned students include documenting Jewish fraternity and sorority experiences with antisemitism, how organizations enhance Jewish identity development and best practices on creating spaces for belonging.
The Piazza Center is a nationwide leader in preventing hazing, reducing substance misuse and enhancing student well-being across 800 fraternity and sorority communities. The center provides research, tools and best practices for professionals and volunteers.
“Partnering with the Piazza Center on research will help us continue to focus on our mission to develop leaders for the Jewish community,” said Rob Derdiger, chief executive officer of Alpha Epsilon Pi. “AEPi is committed to utilizing data-driven research findings to inform our strategies. Doing so ensures that we remain a forward-thinking and class-leading Jewish organization.
Penn State aims to generate an endowment of $8 million to support the center's research. The University has committed $2 million in initial funding and will match up to $3 million in additional endowment funds committed for this purpose, allowing organizations, alumni, parents and friends to secure matching funds that double the impact of their generosity.
Support for the Piazza Center advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.