North Carolina graduates expected a motivational speech from a 1950s alumnus — then his announcement stunned the class
Graduation is a special milestone for college students, as it marks the end of an important chapter of learning and holds unforgettable memories. So, when North Carolina State’s Wilson College of Textiles celebrated the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 on May 8, 2026, students were filled with excitement and anticipation, according to a press release from NC State University. The ceremony took an unexpected turn when Anil Kochhar, son of a late college alumnus, stepped onto the stage to deliver a motivational speech and ended it with an announcement that left everyone stunned.
Anil Kochhar, the son of late Prakash Chand Kochhar, stood before 176 bachelor’s degree graduates and 26 master’s degree graduates to make a special announcement in honor of his father, according to local outlet AXIOS Raleigh. Prakash Chand had studied at the Wilson College of Textiles during the 1950s, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in textile manufacturing. Anil Kochhar announced to the graduating students and everyone attending the ceremony that, in honor of his late father, he and his wife, Marilyn Kochhar, would provide a graduation gift by covering all final-year education loans taken by Wilson College of Textiles graduates during the 2025–26 academic year.
The announcement was immediately met with loud cheers and applause from the crowd, and many people eventually rose to their feet to appreciate the generous gesture, while several students appeared overwhelmed with joy. “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,” he said in the speech. The students who had arrived expecting only to receive their degrees likely never imagined they would also leave the ceremony with a life-changing gift that would transform their future.
David Hinks, the inaugural Prakash Chand Kochhar Dean at the Wilson College of Textiles, said the college “quickly” worked with NC State Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to help bring Anil’s gift to life. “I could not be more grateful to Anil and Marilyn for this extraordinary investment in our newest Wilson for Life alumni,” he said. However, this was not the first time the college alumnus and his family had contributed toward supporting students. According to PEOPLE, back in 1986, the school also established the Prakash Chand Kochhar Memorial Textile Scholarship with support from Prakash’s estate and his employer, the Technical Service Group of Hercules. Now, his son is carrying forward the same spirit of giving back to his father’s alma mater.
As David Hinks remarked, “One of our primary goals is to make the Wilson College affordable for all, and Anil and Marilyn are helping us achieve it.” This gift has been received with much gratitude from the students. Alyssa D’Costa, a fashion and textile management major commented, "As a daughter of immigrants, this money helps me and my family a lot, and I’m really fortunate to have an opportunity like this." The takeaway is to continue to extend the "spirit of possibility" that has helped us chase our dreams, in whatever way we can.