When R. Panneer Selvam arrived in the United States decades ago with just ten dollars and an unshakable determination, he carried dreams bigger than his wallet. Today, the celebrated Indian-American engineer has come full circle. The Indian-origin professor has pledged a transformative gift to the University of Arkansas, the place that nurtured his ambitions and defined his career.
Selvam and his wife, Chitra, have endowed the Chitra and Panneer Selvam Professorship in Civil Engineering, a lasting investment designed to elevate faculty excellence, advance research in computer modeling and computational mechanics, and provide vital resources for both undergraduate and graduate students. The endowment will strengthen faculty recruitment and expand opportunities in a high-impact field that Selvam himself helped pioneer.
“I am hoping this is just the start of giving back to the university, which has given me so much,” Selvam said. “I also hope this will help raise the department and the university to the next level in national ranking and recognition.”
A career built across continents
Selvam’s journey began in India, where early hardships never dimmed his resolve for education. His career later spanned Australia, Denmark, and the United States, culminating in the creation of the Computational Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Arkansas. Along the way, he became a global authority in structural mechanics and fluid dynamics, shaping engineering practices in wind engineering, finite element analysis, bridge aerodynamics, and disaster-resilient design.
His research has pushed boundaries—from developing high-temperature concrete for solar thermal energy storage to refining computational fluid dynamics for space-grade cooling systems. Recognition followed: in 2023 he was named a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), joining an elite circle of engineers worldwide. He was recently honored as a Fellow of the Engineering Mechanics Institute, underscoring his far-reaching impact.
Educator, mentor, trailblazer
Beyond research, Selvam has been a cornerstone of engineering education. At the University of Arkansas, he has taught 23 courses, developed 12 from scratch, and guided many Ph.D. candidates, postdoctoral researchers, master’s students, and undergraduates. His mentorship reflects a personal history: as a first-generation college graduate who once relied on financial aid, Selvam understands the life-changing power of opportunity.
His service extends globally, with keynote addresses at major international conferences and leadership roles on boards such as the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Engineering Mechanics Institute and the Arkansas Academy of Science.
Giving back to move forward
The couple’s commitment is backed by a $1 million endowment, ensuring that talented students and distinguished faculty will have the resources to excel. By endowing a professorship, Selvam ensures that students from diverse backgrounds will find the support and inspiration they need to reach their own heights.
From a young man with ten dollars to a distinguished engineer of global repute, R. Panneer Selvam’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and gratitude. His gift to the University of Arkansas is a powerful reminder that the greatest achievements often come full circle, giving back to the very place where they began.
