Orono, Maine— In a significant act of philanthropy, Indian American alumni Rajendra "Raj" Singh and Neera Singh have pledged $3.5 million to the University of Maine's College of Engineering and Computing. Announced on May 13, 2025, this donation aims to support scholarships and establish an endowed chair in applied innovation, reflecting the couple's gratitude for the opportunities they received at UMaine.
Key Facts:
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Donation Breakdown: $2.2 million will fund the Rajendra Singh and Neera Singh Family Scholarship, while $1.3 million will establish the Singh Family Chair in Applied Innovation.
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Scholarship Focus: The scholarships will support UMaine students in engineering and computing, with a preference for Maine high school graduates demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
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Endowed Chair Purpose: The Singh Chair will advance curricula in traditional and emerging areas, preparing students to translate innovations into commercial applications.
The Singhs' journey from IIT Kanpur to successful careers in the U.S. underscores the transformative power of education. Their donation not only honors their alma mater but also aims to provide similar opportunities to future generations. The endowed chair, named in honor of Professor John "Vet" Vetelino, recognizes his role in recruiting Indian students to UMaine, further strengthening the institution's research capabilities.
This generous contribution is expected to have a lasting impact on UMaine's engineering and computing programs, fostering innovation and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
Do You Know? The University of Maine is classified as an R1 research-intensive institution, a status achieved through decades of dedicated research and academic excellence.
Key Terms:
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Endowed Chair: A faculty position permanently funded by an endowment, allowing the holder to focus on research and teaching in a specific field.
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Applied Innovation: The practical application of innovative ideas and technologies to solve real-world problems.
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Scholarship Endowment: A fund established to provide ongoing financial support to students, typically based on academic merit or financial need.