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Thunderducks host charity basketball game
HARRIS SADIQ
Managing Editor
Jovita Cortez shoots a three pointer against the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.
The Richland men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted teams from the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (SWCID) on Nov 30. Richland mathematics professor Raj P. Seekri and his wife, Raj K. Seekri, were honored for their $30,000 donation to the institution to improve campus life for deaf students. During the games, the couple was presented with awards from Richland President, Kay Eggleston and SWCID President, Cheryl Sparks.
Sparks expressed fondness for the couple.
“I call them angels,” she said at the ceremony.
When Seekri accepted the award, he praised his wife, father and Richland College Physical Education faculty for motivating him to make a charitable difference.
“I am so blessed. So many kind words but I think we have a common goal and that is to promote education,” Seekri told the faculty after accepting plaques of recognition from SWCID.
The Richland women’s team played the SWCID team first and won 86-54. SWCIDs team played vigorously. Communicating through sign language on the court, they were often sharp on defense. The T-Ducks seemed in sync as a squad, passing the ball between the paint and three-point line frequently.
The Richland men’s team also beat SWCID.The T-Ducks will play their next game against district rival Collin College on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. The season continue next semester until mid-February. Their season record now stands tall at 10-1. They will host Concordia University (JV) at 7 p.m.
Philanthropy and teaching; the art of giving
HARRIS SADIQ
Managing Editor
“This has given me such a sense of fulfillment,” said math professor Raj Seekri on donating $30,000 to the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf in Big Springs.
Richland’s women’s basketball team will host the SW Institute at 5 p.m. on Nov. 30, where Seekri will be honored for his philanthropy. Seekri is now marching toward his 81st year and has dedicated much of his life to helping the common man. He and his wife have spent their recent years to donating funds and scholarships to various colleges.
“I grew up in Punjab, India. My father influenced me the most in my life,” he said.
The son of a school teacher, Seekri admired his father’s love of teaching, especially underprivileged children.
Professor Raj Seekri in his Medina Hall office.
“He gave his life to reform and education. People in my village didn’t want to send their daughters to school. They said they belonged at home. He spoke out for them and did what he could to get them an education,” said Seekri.
He knew teaching was obviously not a career that paid much money and so he set his eyes on medical school. When his father couldn’t muster the funds to send him, he chose to move to America with his wife in 1964.
“I couldn’t even afford my airplane ticket to London. We had to ask a friend for a loan and pay him back after finding work in America,” said Seekri
Seekri took full advantage of the opportunities in America and began working full time in the corporate sector.
He spent over 30 years as a corporate manager for National Cash Register (NCR) and then Texas Instruments. He did very well for himself but still made time to teach different types of math classes at Eastfield College, University of Texas at Dallas and Richland over the years.
“I’m not here to get my paycheck, I’m here to get my passion” said Seekri while throwing both hands in the air
On his 58 years of marriage he said, “I can give all praise to God. It is my biggest blessing.”
He and his wife pursued charity as a hobby when they sent their two kids to medical school. They also enjoy spoiling their six grandchildren.
Earlier this year, Richland coaching instructor Phil Key mentioned to Seekri that the SW Institute lacked funding for athletic equipment.
“They didn’t even have a scoreboard in their gym,” Seekri said. He felt a moral urge to help the dispossessed and less fortunate.
Originally, Seekri felt awkward and shy about being publicly recognized for his charitable work but he said, “I hope this story inspires others who are successful in their own lives to give back.”
Seekri continues to work as a full time instructor in mathematics at Richland. He is looking forward to seeing the basketball game on Nov. 30.
