11/15/23

By: FHSU Foundation

HAYS, Kan. – Encouragement from loved ones can sometimes be all one needs to take a leap of faith. Fort Hays State University alumnus Satya Sinha credits his family for urging him to explore the world beyond his hometown of Ranchi, India, and pursue a graduate degree in geology in the United States. More than 30 years after graduating from FHSU, Sinha has established an endowed scholarship honoring his family, whose support changed his life.

When Sinha finished his undergraduate degree in India, he felt compelled to study abroad for his graduate studies. It was the late 1980s, and the Internet was not widely available, making searching for universities abroad challenging. Sinha found several options in his brother’s thick paperback university guide outlining cost and program details. However, his sister’s suggestion to study in a slower-paced, smaller city with beautiful prairies like those they’d learned about in school led him to Fort Hays State. He saw his FHSU acceptance letter as a sign to begin planning his trip to Hays.

Leaving behind his parents and siblings, who had helped him make the decision, was gut-wrenching. His mother, Nirmala, was a civil rights activist in her youth before becoming a full-time mother, and his father, Akhileshwar Nath, was a mining engineer. Nevertheless, Sinha was willing to take the risk and felt certain about studying in Hays – a place he could only imagine from photographs.

When Fort Hays State arranged to have Sinha picked up from the airport after his long international travels, he felt further assured of his decision. From there, Sinha had a positive initial meeting with graduate school director Darla Fuertges and great interactions with Dr. Kenneth Neuhauser. Sinha often felt homesick but was comforted by the support of his fellow students, friends, and FHSU faculty and staff.

Although decades have passed since Sinha graduated from Fort Hays State, his memories of campus and the warmth of the FHSU community linger in his mind. The years since his time at FHSU have welcomed professional success as a hydrogeologist/project manager, which Sinha credits to Fort Hays State University, but also immense heartbreak when his parents, among his most ardent supporters, passed away. Recalling his parents’ definition of philanthropy inspired him to honor his family while helping students at the place that irrevocably changed his life.

The Akhileshwar Nath and Nirmala Sinha Endowed scholarship carries his late parents’ names and will bolster the dreams of aspiring geologists at Fort Hays State University. Just as he took a chance on FHSU, he hopes the scholarship will allow undergraduate and graduate geology students who may not receive sufficient scholarship support to do the same.

Sinha also honored his parents by naming a room in the Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success on campus. Bearing the names Akhileshwar Nath and Nirmala Sinha, the space will remind students of their own families’ support as they pursue their education.

Naming a scholarship or dedicating a space in honor of a family member, friend, or business are only a few examples of how you can create a legacy at Fort Hays State University. The FHSU Foundation team is happy to arrange a no-obligation visit to discuss further details and potential tax advantages that may be available. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu, call 785-628-5620, or email foundation@fhsu.edu to learn how your gift can impact future generations of students at Fort Hays State University.