Patwardhan Fund helps students pursue their dreams

Shyam Patwardhan

Through his longstanding connection with the University of Oklahoma Department of Philosophy, Suhas Patwardhan has seen first-hand the financial needs of students choosing to pursue their passion.

Thanks to funds he created at the OU Foundation in memory of his son, Shyam, Patwardhan’s gifts are making it possible for philosophy students to follow their dreams.

Patwardhan, a 1971 OU BS in industrial engineering, and his late wife, Joy, 1973 OU BA in cultural anthropology, established the Dr. Shyam Dev Patwardhan Memorial Fund to support graduate students when Shyam died in 2013, just six months after earning his OU Ph.D. in philosophy.

“When Shyam passed away, we created the fund and added $10,000 to $15,000 each year, but we knew we wanted to do more,” said Patwardhan. “It was our way of honoring him and his chosen profession.”

Patwardhan, who retired as chairman, CEO and president of Oklahoma City-headquartered engineering, architectural and consulting firm Guernsey, decided to make those initial gifts—now totaling in excess of $100,000—more impactful through a recent $2.4 million contribution to further elevate the mission of OU’s Department of Philosophy. In return, the OU Board of Regents has approved naming the department in Shyam’s honor.

“Suhas’ generous gift is transformative for the department. His vision was to provide the resources to facilitate a community of philosophers in which everyone, from first-year students to senior faculty, can thrive,” said Rusty Jones, associate professor and chair of the Shyam Dev Patwardhan Department of Philosophy.

“Shyam and I were graduate students together at OU for six years,” Jones continued. “It is a privilege to be part of the department that now bears his name—a name that stands for intellectual courage, passion, curiosity and open-mindedness.”

Patwardhan’s gift will address areas of need within the department. The Shyam Dev Patwardhan Philosophy Undergraduate Student Support Fund provides scholarships, student awards and prizes, and program support. The Shyam Dev Patwardhan Philosophy Graduate Student Support Fund allows the same opportunities for graduate students. The Shyam Dev Patwardhan Philosophy Excellence Fund provides emergency student aid, faculty awards and prizes, and lecture and event funding.

“The needs of the department and students were made clear when Shyam came home one day and told us that he wanted to attend a conference, but hotel and travel were expensive,” added Patwardhan. “I told him it was no problem. The next thing I knew, he had three or four other students staying in his hotel room because, otherwise, they could not afford to go.”

Shyam earned a 2003 OU BA in philosophy and master’s in philosophy in 2006 before deciding on his career path.

“My wife and I encouraged him to take the LSAT because we felt it was a natural progression. Many law students first pursue a philosophy degree. He scored very high and OU Law offered him a full, three-year scholarship, but on the first day of law school, he came to me and said it was just not for him.” He opted to pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy instead.

“Shyam knew what he wanted and what he didn’t. He knew his calling,” Patwardhan said.

“Philosophy was Shyam’s greatest love, and through our gifts, I hope the philosophy department can grow and attract quality students who also have that passion. I hope the funds will help students become what they innately are—philosophers—because that’s what Shyam was, and I know he would want others to have that same opportunity.”