“Helping other people is a privilege, not a chore.” –Gene Chaiken 

Gene (class of 1962) and Roz Chaiken’s journey began at summer camp in 1959, leading to a marriage in 1963 and a lifelong commitment to supporting Penn State. Their philanthropy began in 1989 with the endowment of the Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies. They later established the Gene and Roz Chaiken Trustee Scholarship in 2008, followed by the Chaiken Family Trustee Scholarship in 2013, and the Roz and Gene Chaiken Center for Student Success in the College of the Liberal Arts in 2021. In 2024, their generosity resulted in the naming of four additional Chaiken Centers across the University. 

The Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success provides programs and services across the university community. Gene, a former Penn State Board of Trustees member, and Roz were named Penn State Philanthropists of the Year in 2021. Their legacy was further honored with the naming of the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building in 2025. 

Chaiken Centers for Student Success Across Penn State University 

Visit the multiple Chaiken Centers established at Penn State to explore their impact on student success. 

• Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success
• College of the Liberal Arts
• College of Information Sciences and Technology
• Penn State Abington
• Penn State World Campus