Gifts Aim to Transform Lives of Students

When Chuck Gupta enrolled at Temple University in the fall of 1956, he was the first student from his home country of India to study at Temple. His conviction for how education can put a person on the right path remains strong to this day.

“Education is the key to life. All my future giving is based on that—to help others become educated,” he says.

While studying for his master’s in organic chemistry, Chuck had two life-changing encounters. First, he took a job as a graduate assistant, teaching Temple undergraduates in the classroom and gaining supervisory experience in a chemistry lab. After earning his master’s degree, Chuck was ready to return home to Mumbai, but the director of International House Philadelphia, where Chuck spent time on the weekends, made an introduction that turned into Chuck’s first full-time job, as a research chemist.

“My whole life changed because of one person making the effort to help me,” Chuck says. “And I’m happy to be that person now for someone else.”

After 12 years working as a researcher, Chuck made a bold move and started his own import-export textile business, which thrived for 35 years in Philadelphia. He retired in 2005 and became increasingly involved with Temple’s alumni programs. Those closer ties to his alma mater inspired Chuck to establish a charitable gift annuity—a gift to Temple that makes payments back to Chuck for life. Chuck has also included a gift in his will for scholarships to international students in Temple’s College of Science and Technology.

“We all have to help the generations to come, and increasing access to such a great institution like Temple is one of the best ways to do it,” he says. “Plus, it just feels good to give back.”

Like Chuck, you can make a gift to transform the lives of Temple University students. Contact Tom Yates at (215) 926-2545 or tyates@temple.edu for details.