The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced a $5 million gift from alumni Jacqueline Reses (W'92) and her husband, Matthew Apfel (L'90), in support of undergraduate scholarships and a new academic building currently under construction.

The gift will name a gathering space and student lounge area in the building, which itself will serve as a hub for faculty and student research and house various research initiatives, including programs in the areas of data and analytics. The gift also will establish the Reses Apfel Men and Women of Pennsylvania Challenge Fund as a source of matching funds for other scholarship donors and a scholarship as part of the Undergraduate Named Scholarship Program. In 2008, the couple created the Reses Apfel Family Endowed Scholarship for female Wharton students.

"Wharton had a transformational role in my life," said Reses, who serves on Wharton's undergraduate executive board. "I want to support the school [and] make it possible for every student who earns a place at Wharton to be able to attend and thrive."

"One of the great fortunes of the Penn community is to have alumni donors like Jackie and Matt. Jackie went from her education at Wharton on to great success in her professional life. By choosing to give back with this gift to the school, she sets a tremendous example for women in philanthropy," said Wharton dean Erika James. "Jackie and Matt have remained dedicated and connected to Penn, and with these extraordinary gifts to Wharton, they help to advance future generations of business leaders and provide inspiration for other alumnae to join in supporting the School at meaningful levels."

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