To honor the legacy of Professor K. Mani Chandy, Simon Ramo Professor of Computer Science, Emeritus, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has established The Professor K. Mani Chandy Innovations in Education Fund. This endowed fund, supported by alumni contributions exceeding $100,000, will promote excellence in teaching within the Computing and Mathematical Sciences (CMS) department.
Professor Chandy is widely respected for his unwavering support and mentorship of students. Inspired by his impact, alumni including Roman Ginis, Rajiv Gupta, Peter Hofstee, and others collaborated to create this fund as a tribute to his dedication to education.
The fund will support CMS faculty, teaching assistants, and administrative staff whose contributions are crucial to Caltech’s academic mission. Chris Umans, professor of computer science and Executive Officer for CMS, described Chandy as the department’s “soul,” praising his humility, generosity, and intellectual contributions.
Eve Schooler, an alumna who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized Chandy’s profound influence on his students, describing his wisdom as a rare gift.
A two-time recipient of Caltech’s ASCIT Teaching Award, Chandy expressed gratitude for this recognition, stating that teaching is not just about delivering material but also about understanding students as individuals and being part of their academic journey.
