Dr. Raghvendra K. Pandey, Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University, who passed away in May, will be commemorated through two newly established endowments aimed at supporting faculty in the College of Engineering.
To honor Pandey’s legacy, his wife, Dr. Christa Pandey, established the Raghvendra K. Pandey Endowed Developmental Professorship and the Raghvendra K. Pandey Endowed Faculty Fellowship at Texas A&M. They will provide support to faculty for teaching, research, service and professional development activities.
A storied career
Known as “R.K.” among colleagues, Pandey spent 20 years at Texas A&M’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He then joined the University of Alabama’s faculty as electrical engineering department head and later helped establish the electrical engineering department at Texas State University, where he served as the inaugural Ingram Professor.
Pandey’s academic career focused on physics, earning degrees from Patna University, Bihar University and the University of Cologne. According to Christa, research was where his heart truly belonged. His work spanned topics such as bulk single-crystal and thin-film growth of electronic materials, ceramic transistors, electroceramics and spintronics. He was recognized as a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and was a Life Senior Member of both the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the American Physical Society.
In addition to his research and teaching, Pandey authored the textbook “Fundamentals of Electroceramics” in 2019, compiling decades of research and scholarship that contributed to the field and student development.
Through these endowments, Raghvendra Pandey’s legacy will continue to support Texas A&M engineering faculty and create opportunities for growth in teaching and research. The funds will also enhance the student experience by supporting research participation and engagement with industry professionals, helping students develop skills for their future careers.
Faculty endowments encourage and reward faculty members who embody the passion for, and commitment to the education of engineering students. They bring years of rich experiences from the field and add tremendous value to the College of Engineering. If you are interested in supporting faculty or would like more information on how you can give, please contact one of our development officers.