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Newsmakers of the Week FEBRUARY 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 26

NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK

Selected stories about Indian diaspora from our website www.theindianeye.com

ASSEMBLYMAN BALVIR SINGH K. MANI CHANDY
New Jersey’s first Sikh sworn in Professor honored with endowed

as Legislature Fund by Caltech

alifornia Institute of Technology (Caltech) recently established The
ssemblyman Balvir Singh, a public-school educator, mathematician by Professor K. Mani Chandy Innovations in Education Fund to honor
training, and public servant, recently received the oath of office from Cthe excellence and contributions of Professor K. Mani Chandy, Si-
AAssembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin to become a member of the New mon Ramo Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus. The Professor K. Mani
Jersey General Assembly. Assemblyman Singh joins Assemblywoman Carol Chandy Innovations in Education Fund will support excellence in teaching in
Murphy in representing the 7th Legislative District in Burlington County. Computing and Mathematical Sciences.
A lifelong champion of resilience and opportunity, Assemblyman Singh All his students remember the unwavering support and encouragement
made history as the first Sikh to be sworn in as a member of the New Jersey of Chandy. As per them, he genuinely prioritized the success and happiness
Legislature. Assemblyman Singh is a staunch advocate for education, eco- of students above all else. Now, alumni have rallied together to honor Chandy
nomic opportunity, and equitable access to essential services, and strives to and his longtime support of students. With more than $100,000 in contribu-
build a better future for all New Jersey residents. tions from Institute alumni and friends, they have established the endowed
Assemblyman Singh previously served on the Burlington Township Board Professor K. Mani Chandy Innovations in Education Fund.
of Education from 2015 to 2017, before his election to the Burlington County The following donors helped establish the endowed fund honoring Pro-
Board of Commissioners. As a Burlington County Commissioner in his 3rd fessor K. Mani Chandy: Roman Ginis (MS ‘99, PhD ‘02); Rajiv Gupta (MS
term, Assemblyman Singh worked to address affordable housing, econom- ‘87, PhD ‘91); Peter Hofstee (MS ‘91, PhD ‘95); Andrey Khorlin (MS ‘06); Eve
ic development, and public health, supporting initiatives such as distributing Schooler (MS ‘96, PhD ‘01) and Bob Felderman; Paul Sivilotti (MS ‘93, PhD
over $13 million in rental assistance, launching zero-interest loans for busi- ‘98); John Thornley (MS ‘93, PhD ‘96); Lu Tian (MS ‘06) and Max Ibel; Jerome
nesses, and supporting efforts to construct a 60-bed emergency shelter for the White (MS ‘08, PhD ‘11); and Dan Zimmerman (BS ‘96, MS ‘98, PhD ‘02).
county’s most vulnerable residents. This endowed fund will support the work of the Department of Comput-
“I will remain committed to ensuring the voices of everyday people in ing and Mathematical Sciences’ (CMS) teaching faculty, teaching assistants,
Burlington County and across New Jersey are heard in Trenton,” said Assem- and administrative staff whose commitment to the educational mission of
blyman Singh (D-Burlington). “I am excited to work alongside my new part- CMS, and whose support of teaching, is critical to Caltech students.
ners in the Legislature as we continue to build on efforts to make New Jersey “Mani has been, in many ways, the soul of the department for many
a more equitable and prosperous place for all residents.” years,” says Chris Umans, professor of computer science, holder of the Wil-
“Balvir is a stellar example of dedication to both community and state, and liam M. Coughran, Jr. Leadership Chair, and Executive Officer for Comput-
we are fortunate to welcome him into the General Assembly,” said Speaker ing and Mathematical Sciences. “He has a humble, unassuming nature and
Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “His background in education and public service, is a very kind and generous person both intellectually and in his interactions
combined with his strong commitment to improving lives, will undoubtedly with people, so we wanted to recognize what he had done for the department
make him a powerful advocate for his constituents and a key voice in the and create a legacy that would honor him.”
Caucus moving forward.” Continued on next page... >>

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