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.
