Indian-American parents launch $500K scholarship for daughter lost in mass shooting, companies join effort

The parents of Savitha Shan, an Indian-origin student killed in a mass shooting, are transforming their grief into an opportunity for others by establishing a $500,000 endowed scholarship fund. Savitha, who was posthumously awarded two degrees from the University of Texas two months after her death, had a deep desire to help underprivileged students.

Her parents, Shan Muthian and Selvi Shan, are leading the fundraising effort for the Savitha Shanmugasundaram Endowed Scholarship Fund. The University of Texas has committed to matching all donations, meaning the fund could reach $1 million. This significant contribution will honor Savitha's legacy by providing financial assistance to students in need for years to come.

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the donors may not receive any tangible benefit but it is what would make Savitha happy, as she always wanted to help others.

Several prominent companies have also pledged their support. Visa, PwC, and Apple are encouraging their employees to donate by promising to match their contributions. This collective effort reflects Savitha's own aspirations and her parents' determination to ensure her memory lives on through meaningful action. The fund aims to support students, with the interest alone expected to fund ten students annually.

Beyond the scholarship, the Shan family is also sponsoring the Savitha Shan Women's Empowerment Award through the UT Austin Indian Students Association for the next decade. Savitha, an Austin native, was remembered as a happy and giving individual who had already achieved significant personal goals, including visiting 26 countries by the age of 21. Her life was tragically cut short on March 1, 2026, during a mass shooting in downtown Austin.

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Her parents said they converted their grief into an opportunity for others.