Selvam Gift Establishes Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering

The University of Arkansas has announced the creation of the Chitra and Panneer Selvam Endowed Professorship in Civil Engineering, a major milestone for the College of Engineering. Funded by longtime professor and researcher R. Panneer Selvam and his wife, Chitra, the $1 million gift will support faculty excellence and expand research opportunities in the high-impact area of computer modeling and computational mechanics. 

This endowed faculty position in the Department of Civil Engineering is a transformational gift for the program’s future. 
“The Selvam Endowed Professorship is a powerful investment in faculty excellence and student success," said Chancellor Charles Robinson. "It will help elevate our civil engineering program and empower the next generation of scholars to conduct high-impact research. We are deeply grateful to Chitra and Panneer, not only for this incredible gift but also for their many years of dedication to the University of Arkansas and our students.”  

“Gifts like this from the Selvam family help us recruit and retain top faculty,” said Micah Hale, department head for civil engineering. “It will also provide support for the research mission of the university, allowing the professorship holder to fund both undergraduate and graduate students, purchase needed equipment and present research at national and international conferences.” 

ROOTED IN GRATITUDE 

Panneer Selvam’s journey is one of perseverance and belief in the power of education. Born in India, he was expected to forgo academics after high school to take over the family-owned grocery store. Panneer remained at home and sat quietly during store hours to demonstrate to his father that he was determined to pursue higher education. His father eventually relented. That moment set him on a new path in life, one that would lead him across the globe to the United States, with just $10 and a dream. 

“The U.S. is a place where dreams are realized,” Selvam reflected. “I found a career in teaching and research here, which I loved the most. The University of Arkansas gave me opportunities I could not have imagined.” 

Selvam, a University Professor, has been working in science and engineering since the mid-1980s, from conducting research in Australia and Denmark to starting the Computational Mechanics Laboratory, one of the first high-performance computing labs on U of A campus. Through this professorship, he hopes to ensure that others have the same chance to innovate and excel. 

“I am hoping this is just the start of giving back to the university, which has given me so much,” he said. “I also hope this will help raise the department and the university to the next level in national ranking and recognition.” 

GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT AND RESEARCH IMPACT 

The professorship prioritizes support for graduate students. Having relied on the generosity and encouragement of mentors throughout his academic journey, including a state stipend and financial support from his grandmother, Selvam understands how getting financial help to pursue education can be life-changing.  

“I am sure many bright graduate students need this money. I hope this funding helps them achieve their goals just like others once helped me,” Selvam said. 

Dean Kim Needy said it’s inspiring to see faculty members like Selvam demonstrate such a strong commitment to supporting students and contributing to the college’s research mission in a transformative way.  

“Like Dr. Selvam, I was the beneficiary of others’ generosity, so I know firsthand the impact this kind of support can have,” Needy said. “The Selvams’ gift demonstrates a remarkable contribution to both student success and the continued growth of our research enterprise.” 

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE 

The professorship is intended to support academic advancement in computer modeling in science and engineering, a field where Selvam has made significant contributions. His work includes studies on tornado forces on buildings, thermal energy storage in concrete and electronic cooling systems.  

“This is one area that can be elevated to a new level in our department and college,” he said. 

Once the endowment is fully vested, the college’s dean will conduct a national search in collaboration with the department to select the inaugural holder of the professorship. According to Hale, the ideal candidate will be a scholar with a nationally recognized research program in computer modeling or computational mechanics.  
 
“This generous gift from the Selvams reflects the highest ideals of academic philanthropy, supporting innovation, discovery and student success,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “We are grateful for their vision and commitment to faculty excellence in a critical area of engineering. This endowed professorship will create a legacy of impact, driving forward the university’s mission and expanding opportunities for meaningful scholarly impact.” 

Though Selvam has already given four decades of service to the university, the gift represents his personal commitment to the next generation of engineers. 

“We feel very blessed and fortunate for what has brought us to this point in my career,” Selvam said. “I am wishing the same for the next generation at the University of Arkansas. The future will bring big challenges, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, but I believe the university and this professorship can help students and faculty meet those challenges head-on.” 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.