CAMPUS NEWS Scholarship in Memory of the Late Prof. Ranasinghe to Benefit First-Generation Students BY JOEL ROSARIO ’24
Last spring, Assumption Philosophy Professor Nalin Ranasinghe, Ph.D., unexpectedly passed away while returning home to Boston from India. His 19 years of teaching at Assumption left an indelible impact on his faculty peers and students. To ensure his legacy will continue to inspire and impact the University community, Prof. Ranasinghe’s wife, Gudrun, established the Prof. Nalin Ranasinghe Scholarship to provide financial aid to a student majoring in philosophy, with a preference for first-generation students. “Nalin left an impressive body of scholarship – focusing on topics at the intersection of philosophy, politics, theology, and literature – and he will always be remembered for the Socratic passion with which he cared for the souls of his students, urging
them to live up to their humanity,” said Christian Göbel, Ph.D., philosophy professor and d’Alzon Chair. “He was able to connect with many of his students on a deeply personal level and forever changed their lives.” The highlight of his scholarly work was an impressive trilogy on Plato’s Socrates and Platonic thought more broadly, and, at the time of his passing, he was completing books on Homer and Shakespeare, who, along with Plato, were his great sources of inspiration. His book on Homer was published posthumously by St. Augustine’s Press this spring. Profits earned from the sale of Prof. Ranasinghe’s immense book collection became the foundation for this scholarship fund. The fund will rely on donations in pursuit of full endowment.
Presidential Awardees Recognized for Excellence In recognition of their dedication and commitment to the University’s mission and its students, three individuals were honored with 2020 Presidential Awards. Those recognized for achieving a level of excellence that merits this special recognition include the following:
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Michele Lemons, Ph.D., professor of biology, received the Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship.
Esteban Loustaunau, Ph.D., professor of Spanish and director of the Center for Purpose and Vocation, received the Kathleen Murphy Presidential Award for Excellence in Contribution to the Mission.
Christine Lowthert, Ed.D., director of Athletics, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service.
