Wharton School Creates New Opportunities in Global Real Estate Education

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania has announced the establishment of the Grayken Program in International Real Estate, a major new asset to the school’s Samuel Zell and Robert Lurie Real Estate Center and Real Estate Department.

This leadership gift from alumnus John P. Grayken, which will fund the new program, will significantly enhance the global real estate offerings and impact of the Wharton School. Grayken is Founder and Chairman of Lone Star Funds, a prominent private equity firm that invests globally in real estate, equity, credit and other financial assets.

The comprehensive Grayken Program in International Real Estate will fund academic programming for students; industry events and outreach; and faculty research. Mr. Grayken’s support enriches Wharton’s entire real estate community, first by nurturing students who will go on to innovate and effect change in real estate globally.

It will also expand Wharton’s real estate program’s reach, enabling connections with leading investors around the world that will complement its domestic network. Finally, the program enhances Wharton faculty’s ability to conduct and publish influential international real estate research, as well as interact with leading industry professionals.

“We’re honored by John’s partnership with and generosity to Wharton,” said Dean and Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise Geoffrey Garrett. “He is helping us expand the depth and reach of our programming in global real estate – from students who aspire to become real estate leaders, to alumni and executives around the world driving and defining the industry, to faculty whose research is shaping how academics and professionals understand one of the world’s most important industries.”