Surya Karkada Memorial Scholarship

He lived a simple life with no desire for fancy clothes or the latest gadgets. He made jokes, puns and witty comebacks at the dinner table, where he shared good laughs with his family. He had an uncanny way of throwing funny lines or dialogue verbatim from his favorite movies or the “Calvin and Hobbes” or “Dilbert” comic strips. He loved all sorts of sweets, especially sweet and sour ones. He spent time with his family happily, playing games, having conversations or helping with house and garden chores.

For many years, Surya flitted between different hobbies and activities. He had a knack for directly confronting his fears: Although he was once afraid of deep water and heights, he began to swim competitively and boulder at the rock-climbing gym. They eventually became his two favorite sports. “I believe in the fruition of a work of passion, dedication, attitude and effort,” he once wrote in a poem. That mindset was evident any time he’d focus on one of his personal goals.

Surya’s love for chemistry subject started at Dulles High School, thanks to accessible teachers and encouraging class environments that made the subject interesting and fun. His curiosity and interest were amplified by one of his favorite pastimes — browsing YouTube. He became captivated by videos of beautiful chemical reactions. “Chemistry is the only acceptable science,” was his tongue-in-cheek judgment. Driven by his motivation to learn more, he quickly became proficient in all kinds of basic chemistry. He was especially interested in surface chemistry and polymer chemistry, and he hoped to eventually study the chemistry of materials for renewable energy sources. He gained a new reputation among his friends for being a kind and patient teacher of anything chemistry.

Surya treasured his friends deeply and left an indelible mark on them. “His charming wit and playfulness manifested in sharp roasts and funny pranks,” wrote a close friend. “His instinct of kindness made him very approachable and easy to befriend. I’m eternally grateful for all the joy and wisdom he showed me.”

Surya was a Longhorn for only a year before his passing, but that year was instrumental in his journey of self-actualization. The Karkadas’ gift to The University of Texas at Austin honors his memory, and they hope that future generations of UT students find inspiration and guidance in Surya’s credo: “I believe in searching the world for all the light you can find.”