Srikantaiah Mallikarjun
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Physics, 1933–2024
After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Central College, Bangalore, and his doctorate in physics from the University of London, our dad accepted a professorship at what was then Monmouth College in 1967, where he would remain on the faculty for nearly 50 years. In addition to teaching, he published several papers related to
cancer and physics during that time. He also co-authored an “Introductory Physics” textbook that was written for students in India and the Middle East. In 1983, he was promoted to chair of the Department of Physics.
He also became heavily involved in recruiting international students to Monmouth. Every year, he traveled for a month and a half, giving lectures throughout Asia and talking to students about moving to the U.S. to pursue their education. He not only advised them about their majors but also helped them with immigration and naturalization. Through this effort, he greatly increased the number of international students at Monmouth, changing the lives and trajectories of hundreds of people.
Our dad continued teaching, researching, and presenting until he retired from Monmouth University in 2014. He did well in retirement, spending time with his children and grandchildren; living in Marco Island, Florida, for half the year; and keeping up with his studies, the cryptoquote in the Asbury Park Press, and his friendships.
While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy will endure through his family as we carry on through this world without him.