Jacques Pépin Foundation Gift Establishes Two Student Support Funds at Johnson & Wales
The Jacques Pépin Foundation gift of $100,000 to Johnson & Wales University (JWU) will establish two new funds designed to widen access to education and help students overcome financial barriers to completing their studies.
The contribution will create The Jacques Pépin Foundation Endowed Scholarship and The Jacques Pépin Foundation Financial Support Fund. Together, they will provide scholarship opportunities for aspiring food and culinary professionals while offering financial assistance to students experiencing unexpected economic difficulties.
Two Funds to Support Students at Johnson & Wales
The two funds will serve different but complementary purposes.
The Jacques Pépin Foundation Endowed Scholarship will support students enrolled in JWU’s College of Food Innovation & Technology (CFIT). It is intended to help aspiring culinary and food-industry professionals access the university’s industry-focused education.
The second fund, The Jacques Pépin Foundation Financial Support Fund, will assist undergraduate students facing unexpected financial challenges that could put their continued education at risk. Eligible students across both JWU’s Providence and Charlotte campuses will be able to access this support. It is not restricted to students enrolled in CFIT.
The university said the funds are intended to help students pursue their academic and professional ambitions while addressing financial circumstances that can affect their ability to remain enrolled.
Foundation’s Commitment to Culinary Education
The Jacques Pépin Foundation (JPF) was established in 2016 by Jacques Pépin’s daughter, Claudine Pépin, and her husband, Rollie Wesen, Ed.D. The foundation honours the renowned chef’s generosity and lifelong commitment to sharing culinary knowledge.
Claudine Pépin serves as the foundation’s president, while Wesen is its executive director. He is also an adjunct professor at Johnson & Wales University, where he joined the faculty in 2011.
Wesen said his experience at the university had shown him both the value of culinary education and the financial obstacles that can prevent students from completing their degrees.
“As a faculty member for over 15 years at Johnson & Wales University, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative role culinary education can play in shaping a student’s future,” he said.
He added that financial difficulties, whether expected or unforeseen, can stand in the way of students completing their education and reaching their potential.
The foundation is proud to support the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals through the two funds, Wesen said, adding that financial hardship should not prevent talented and motivated students from pursuing their goals.
Johnson & Wales Welcomes the Contribution
JWU Chancellor Mim Runey, LP.D., expressed gratitude for the contribution, describing it as an investment in students and a reflection of the university’s commitment to making education more accessible.
“Johnson & Wales University is deeply grateful to the Jacques Pépin Foundation for this meaningful investment in our students’ education,” Runey said.
She noted that the funds would help remove barriers to education and support students in achieving their academic and professional objectives. Their impact, she added, would be felt across the university community for years to come.
A Longstanding Relationship with Jacques Pépin
The donation builds on the longstanding association between Johnson & Wales University and Jacques Pépin, the renowned chef, educator and author.
Pépin received an honorary degree from JWU in 2010. The university also honoured him at the 50th anniversary gala of its College of Food Innovation & Technology in 2023.
The new funds extend this relationship by directing support towards students pursuing culinary education and those who need financial assistance to continue their studies.
