Dr. Chander Kohli Donated $1.25 Million to YSU

The gift to the Centofanti School of Nursing honors the legacy of his late wife, Karen Kohli.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Philanthropy

Dr. Chander Kohli Donated $1.25 Million to YSU

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Dr. Chander M. Kohli has donated $1.25 million to the Centofanti School of Nursing at Youngstown State University. The university has honored the gift by renaming the second-floor east nursing wing in Cushwa Hall the Karen L. Kohli Nursing Wing.

Why it matters

The donation recognizes the late Karen Kohli, a graduate of the M.B. School of Nursing, by supporting modern clinical training and nursing education in Youngstown.

The $1.25 million gift supports a nursing wing that spans the length of Cushwa Hall and currently houses three classrooms alongside one nursing laboratory. The facility integrates advanced simulation technology with traditional clinical training.

The players

Dr. Chander M. Kohli

He is a retired neurosurgeon who opened his private practice in Youngstown in 1972 after arriving in the United States in 1966.

Karen L. Kohli

She was the late wife of Dr. Chander M. Kohli and a graduate of the M.B. School of Nursing in Elyria, Ohio.

Youngstown State University

This public research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, serves as the host institution for the Centofanti School of Nursing.

The details

The newly named Karen L. Kohli Nursing Wing is located within the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. Dr. Kohli, who began a private neurosurgical practice in Youngstown in 1972, directed the funds to enhance the academic environment where local nursing students receive their training.

1966: Dr. Kohli arrived in the United States.
1972: Dr. Kohli opened a private neurosurgical practice in Youngstown.
2007: The donor's son, Aneal, passed away.
October 14, 2026: The donation was formally confirmed.

Market Landscape

This contribution mirrors broader industry trends where philanthropic endowments are increasingly used to modernize collegiate health facilities. It positions the university to better compete for nursing students by pairing donor recognition with infrastructure updates.

For nursing students at the university, the donation ensures continued access to a facility equipped with both traditional labs and advanced simulation technology. This investment reinforces the quality of clinical training available within the local healthcare education sector.

The takeaway

Large philanthropic gifts remain a vital driver for academic infrastructure improvements in regional universities. Community members looking to support local education can look to university foundation offices for information on naming and endowment opportunities.