Suhirtha Raj Scholarship in Computer Science

The family of Suhirtha Raj established The Suhirtha Raj Scholarship in 2021 to honor the memory of their beloved daughter and sister, who passed away unexpectedly in June 2020 following her junior year as an Illinois Computer Science student.  She was a creative, fun loving and a compassionate human being who believed in equality for all. Her radiant smile, helping hands and fierce determination was an inspiration to many. She made her mark not only as an excelling student and an aspiring computer professional, but also as an accomplished dancer and a passionate teacher of other art forms including calligraphy. Suhirtha’s unconditional love and support made a lasting impact in the lives of her family, friends, and peers.

Throughout her time at UIUC, as both a student and a teaching assistant, Suhirtha used every opportunity she got to teach and mentor fellow students. She was steadfast in her mission to ensure that each student she met had an opportunity to achieve, as she believed that success should be within everyone’s reach. She also believed in promoting and supporting women in STEM by being an active participant in organizations such as Women in Engineering. This scholarship is offered in hopes that the recipient will be able to pursue their dreams, despite the unique obstacles and challenges that stand in their path.