Memorial Scholarship Established for Indian-Origin Student
Houston: The family of Savitha Shanmugasundaram, a 21-year-old Indian-origin student tragically killed in a shooting in Austin last month, has initiated a fund to honor her memory. They have launched the Savitha Shanmugasundaram Memorial Endowed Scholarship, with a goal of raising one million dollars.
Savitha, a dedicated student at the University of Texas, lost her life in an unfortunate incident on March 1 at Austin’s West Sixth Street. She was a top student in her final year at the McCombs School of Business, pursuing dual degrees in Management Information Systems and Economics.
This new scholarship aims to assist graduates from Title I schools, which primarily serve low-income communities. Savitha’s family, alongside the Texas Indian Students Association, is working to secure $500,000, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the University of Texas under the Texas Challenge program. Once fully funded, this endowment is projected to offer financial support to about ten students each year indefinitely.
An Austin native and the only child of her parents, Savitha was a prominent figure in the Indian American student community. She held a leadership role on the executive board of the Texas Indian Students Association. Her father, Shan Muthian, expressed that the scholarship reflects Savitha’s lifelong desire to help underprivileged students and ensures her spirit lives on.
The shooting incident, which resulted in four deaths and left 14 others injured, sent ripples of grief throughout the university and the Indian community at large. University representatives remembered Savitha as a compassionate leader dedicated to improving access to education for all.
