Memorial Award Created After Tragic Death of Okanagan College Prof

A much-loved professor from Okanagan College's Kelowna campus is being remembered after he died in a tragic accident in Penticton.

Professor Tom Santosham was 74 years old when his vehicle slid off the road and rolled into Farleigh Lake at around 6:30 a.m. on October 31, 2014. His vehicle was found by a neighbour at around 8 a.m., and Dr. Santosham's body was recovered by the RCMP Dive Team.

Shortly after their loss, the Santosham family decided to honour his passion for teaching with an annual award to support business students at Okanagan College's Kelowna campus. Dr. Santosham taught courses in global marketing at that campus for 14 years.

On December 5th, Dr. Santosham's wife, Penny as well as his son Peter and nephew Vaz presented two special memorial awards to Kendall Ross and Nathan Milligan. Both students were being taught by Dr. Santosham at the time of his death.

“It was truly a privilege to have been educated by such a humble person who had an abundance of life and career experience,” says Milligan, who is currently completing his final semester as a Bachelor of Business Administration student. “Professor Santosham was a very kind, caring and knowledgeable professor. When he spoke, the students would listen intently because we all truly valued what he had to say.”

“This award could not have come at a better time,” says Ross, who completed her Bachelor of Business Administration in December. “Managing finances has been difficult throughout school and this has allowed me to start a savings account for my future, possibly to pursue a master’s degree.” She hopes to use her education to get into the tourism sector.

L to R: Vaz Santosham, Kendall Ross, Peter Santosham, Penny Santosham, Nathan Milligan. (Photo Credit: Okanagan College)

The Santosham family has now established the Thomas V. Santosham Award in Business, working with the Okanagan College Foundation and receiving donations from around the world. This annual award of $1000 will be open to domestic students in the Business Administration program, and recipients will be selected based on both academic achievement and financial need.

“Tom faced many educational challenges when he left India as a teenager to study in Scotland and then later in Canada,” says Penny Santosham said of her husband, who was born in Vellore, South India. “Despite these obstacles, he always aimed high and told young people that with persistence, hard work and prayer, they too could achieve academic success.”

At the University of Glasgow, Dr. Santosham earned his degrees in Naval Architecture and Professional Engineering. He then earned a postdoctoral degree in Miechanical Engineering from UBC's Vancouver campus. After he retired from a successful career in International Trade Management, he was invited to OC to design a course based on his experiences and then inspired students with his remarkable depth of knowledge and passion for global marketing.

“The creation of this annual award by the Santosham family is a wonderful tribute to Tom’s memory and will serve as a reminder of his commitment to higher education, his passion for teaching and his dedication to students,” says Dr. Heather Banham, Dean of Okanagan College’s School of Business. “We miss him dearly, and this special award will continue to contribute to students as they pursue their educational goals.”

If you're interested in donating to this award, contact Anne Kirkpatrick, Development Officer at the Okanagan College Foundation. You can also contribute online at the Okanagan College Foundation's website.

*Dr. Santasham Photo Credit: Everden Rust*