$400K scholarship present aids underrepresented pupils at WVU | WVU Currently

Vijaya and T.V. Ramakrishna contributed more than $400,000 to build a scholarship that supports underrepresented college students at WVU.
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Underrepresented students at West Virginia College will reward from a new scholarship founded by an global pair seeking to pay tribute to the Mountain State. 

T.V. and Vijaya Ramakrishna contributed extra than $400,000 to produce a namesake scholarship that supports underrepresented pupils enrolled in any WVU undergraduate plan. Their gift bolsters attempts to develop scholarship options for minority college students as WVU works to cultivate a additional inclusive environment for pupils, college and workers across its campuses.

“Scholarship guidance opens doors for college students to pursue their educational plans,” WVU Vice President for Range, Equity and Inclusion Meshea L. Poore, Esq., mentioned. “Our college students often facial area various road blocks. Resources these types of as the Ramakrishna Scholarship can make confident funding is not just one of those people obstructions. I appreciate the Ramakrishna family’s generous financial investment in our pupils, our Mountaineer spouse and children, and their futures.”

Although neither the Ramakrishnas nor son Naren and daughter Sarva Rajendra attended WVU, West Virginia has often held a specific position in their hearts. T.V. Ramakrishna grew up in complicated situation in India and experienced no hopes of acquiring an education and learning right until a instructor encouraged him to pursue his dreams. He inevitably moved to the United States, gained a Ph.D. in civil engineering, and created a life for himself and his family members in West Virginia.

“We moved [to Charleston] and have been so touched by the amazing individuals from all walks of existence who welcomed us into the local community so hospitably and with this kind of kindness,” T.V. Ramakrishna reported. “We lifted our relatives there, owned a organization and designed our life there for 35 years. When we commenced our charitable get the job done to educate underprivileged little ones in India, West Virginians were the first to guidance us. Making this scholarship is our way of paying out forward our really like for the condition.” 

Ramakrishna was head of investigate for the West Virginia Division of Highways and worked closely with WVU professors on a number of projects. Because retiring, Ramakrishna and his wife run a nonprofit organization, Sahasra Deepika Foundation for Instruction, that homes and educates underprivileged small children in Bangalore, India.

The Ramakrishnas now reside in India, but they under no circumstances forgot West Virginia’s effects on their household. That memory enthusiastic them to create the Ramakrishna Scholarship.

“We acquired a great deal about how to give in West Virginia, so we recognized that we required to go away a element of ourselves in the condition,” Vijaya Ramakrishna stated. “Education is the eye to the planet you can see the total world if you have an schooling. We hope to open their eyes to all the prospects. We want them to know that we believe that in their opportunity.”

Giving back again is a fundamental aspect of the Ramakrishnas’ passion to make a optimistic variance in the earth, no matter if it is to the point out that gave them so significantly or supporting small children in India make their upcoming. 

“If you enable somebody someplace, it is assisting someone anyplace simply because that ripples by means of the total earth,” Rajendra explained. “Whatever fantastic that you can do will multiply to access other individuals.”

The Ramakrishnas’ present was created via the WVU Basis, the nonprofit business that gets and administers non-public donations on behalf of the College.

-WVU-

jrcr/09/02/21

Make contact with: Cassie Rice
Communications Professional
WVU Basis
304.554.0217 [email protected]

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