NC State Grad Speaker Pays Off Class's Student Loans

Anil Kochhar stood before 202 graduating students at North Carolina State University on May 8 and announced a gift that turned a normal commencement into an unforgettable moment. He and his wife Marilyn would pay off every graduate's final-year student loans.

The crowd fell silent before erupting into cheers and tears. Students had walked into Reynolds Coliseum expecting diplomas, not life-changing financial relief.

Kochhar's announcement honored his late father, Prakash Chand Kochhar, who traveled from Punjab, India to Raleigh in 1946 to study textile manufacturing at NC State. Prakash earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the Wilson College of Textiles in the early 1950s, building a foundation that his family never forgot.

"It is my privilege to announce today that, in honor of my father Prakash Chand Kochhar, Marilyn and I are providing a graduation gift to cover all the final-year education loans incurred by Wilson College graduates during the 2025–26 academic year," Kochhar told the stunned audience. The gift covers loans for 176 bachelor's degree recipients and 26 master's degree students.

For many graduates, the announcement means starting their careers without the weight of debt payments hanging over their heads. They can take risks, pursue passion projects, or save for their futures instead of immediately scrambling to pay bills.

Why This Inspires

The Kochhars didn't just write a check. They created a ripple of opportunity that will touch every corner of these graduates' lives, from the apartments they can afford to the jobs they can choose based on passion rather than paychecks.

Their gift proves that honoring the past can transform the future. Prakash Kochhar's journey as an international student 80 years ago just freed hundreds of young people to chase their own dreams.

"Marilyn and I hope that all of you leave Reynolds Coliseum today not only with a degree but with greater freedom to pursue your goals, take risks and build the lives you've worked so hard to achieve," Kochhar said. One father's educational journey became 202 graduates' fresh start.