Samuel J. Whitaker, C’02, and Jennifer Peters Establish Challenge Fund for Financial Aid

Samuel J. Whitaker, C’02, and Jennifer Peters have made of a gift of $2 million, including matching funds, to establish the Peters-Whitaker Family President’s Men and Women of Pennsylvania Challenge Fund. The gift creates an undergraduate scholarship with a preference for highly aided students in the College of Arts & Sciences, in addition to a fund that matches future scholarship gifts for College students, increasing the impact of those gifts for years to come.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this generous gift from Sam and Jennifer,” says Steven J. Fluharty, Dean and Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Professor of Psychology, Pharmacology, and Neuroscience. “Undergraduate aid and support for our highly aided students are a top priority, and the Peters-Whitaker Family President’s Men and Women of Pennsylvania Challenge Fund will encourage and amplify gifts that make a real difference in the lives of our students.”

Whitaker, who celebrates his 20th reunion this year, was the first person in his immediate family to attend college and is deeply aware of the difference financial aid can make for first generation and high need students. He says, “Jennifer and I are thrilled to be able to support undergraduate students. When you’re worried about meeting your financial needs, it’s difficult to focus on anything else. I hope our scholarship fund can give students peace of mind and allow them to focus on achieving their goals.”

Whitaker earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2002 and is the founder of multiple tech startups. Along with Peters and long-time friend John Samar, Whitaker cofounded Greenphire, a global clinical trial technology company. He previously served as Chief Technology Officer at Signant Health, another clinical trials technology company. Whitaker is a member of Penn’s Undergraduate Financial Aid Leadership Council. Peters is currently the executive chair at ClinOne, an emerging-stage clinical technology company working to improve the patient experience within clinical research.

The Men and Women of Pennsylvania initiative recognizes donors who make exceptionally generous investments in student aid.