Grad student wins WSU's $6,400 Sawan Fellowship

Vijay Venkitachalam, a graduate student in electrical engineering, is the fourth recipient of the Maha “Maggie” Sawan Fellowship for Graduate Students at Wichita State University.

Venkitachalam will receive the award at 9 a.m. Friday, June 7, at the WSU Ablah Library, first floor, Reserve Section, Leisure Reading Room.

The Sawan Fellowship awards $6,400 for an academic year and is to be divided evenly between the spring and fall 2013 semesters, said Armin Gerhard, executive director of International Education at WSU.

Venkitachalam did his undergraduate work in India. He worked hard saving money to come to the United States to continue his studies, which he did by starting at WSU in January 2012.

The Maha “Maggie” Sawan Fellowship for Graduate Students was established by Edwin Sawan, professor emeritus in electrical engineering and computer science at Wichita State University.

It is established in memory of his late wife, Maha “Maggie” Sawan, who died in 2010, and honors her lifelong dedication to education and service to family and community.