A Lasting Legacy in Pure Mathematics

The Dr. P. L. Kannappan Memorial Scholarship recognizes outstanding undergraduate students in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Pure Mathematics, awarding $1,000 each year to a full-time student in Years Two through Four.

Sara Kannan (BA ’16) established the scholarship in honour of her grandfather, Dr. P. L. Kannappan. Dr. Kannappan was a professor in the Department of Pure Mathematics at Waterloo for 36 years, and a widely respected scholar, teacher and mentor. His career was marked by a deep commitment to research and education, as well as a belief in the transformative power of learning. Beyond the classroom, he played an important role in building community, including as a founding member of the Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo Region.

For Sara, the creation of this scholarship is part of a broader commitment to giving back. Through her philanthropy, she hopes to empower students to deepen and enrich their intellectual passions, ensuring that her grandfather’s legacy of education carries forward to future generations.

We caught up with Sara to talk about her grandfather’s influence, her own experience at Waterloo and the inspiration behind this meaningful gift.

Q: What inspired you and your family to create this scholarship in honour of your grandfather?

SK: The University of Waterloo is central to my family — our immigration story, our academic careers and our community — because of my grandfather’s professorship. Even after his retirement in 2003, he remained a professor emeritus and continued to publish research and textbooks. So, we knew that his legacy had to include the university.  

Q: Can you share a bit about who your grandfather was and the values or experiences that shaped him?

SK: Born and raised in southern India, my grandfather majored in mathematics at the prestigious Annamalai University. As a Fulbright Scholar, he attended the University of Washington to earn a PhD in pure mathematics. In the 1960s, my grandfather accepted the professorship at the University of Waterloo. Soon after, his wife and children — including my mother — joined him in Canada.

My grandfather’s academic career took him around the world for research and conferences, and he often brought the family along. I grew up with stories about my mother and her siblings road-tripping across the US in a six-seater car or visiting countries that no longer exist. All of us have inherited his love of travel and cultural exchange.

He was also deeply proud of his Tamil Indian heritage. As one of the first in our community to move to North America, my grandfather helped found the Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo Region, which my family continues to be involved in.

Q: What aspects of his life or legacy do you hope this scholarship will help preserve?

SK: My grandfather strongly believed in empowerment through education, a value he instilled in his family, community and students. All five of his children have undergraduate degrees from the University of Waterloo, plus post-graduate degrees from various universities in Canada and the U.S. Several of his children followed him into the education industry as professors, teachers and corporate trainers.

Among his six grandchildren, we have earned six undergraduate and three post-graduate degrees so far, including from Ivy League universities. While I am the only grandchild to attend the University of Waterloo, my grandfather was immensely proud of all of our academic endeavours. I hope that this scholarship inspires recipients to continue pursuing education as a passion and career.

Q: Can you tell us about your own experience as a student at Waterloo and how it influenced your decision to give back?

SK: My time as an undergraduate student in the English Language and Literature Department shaped a lot of who I am now. The experience of winning 7 awards over 6 years, for both professional and creative writing, gave me a deep sense of pride and recognition. I was first inspired to establish the Diaspora and Transnational Studies Prize when I graduated.      

My grandfather passed away during my Winter 2014 co-op term. He never saw me graduate or create an award at the university he loved. After several attempts, I finally had the resources and support to properly honour my grandfather's legacy with a memorial scholarship, in a place that meant and means so much to both of us. 

Q: What kind of impact do you hope this scholarship will have on students?

SK: As someone who earned several scholarships and awards during my undergraduate degree, I know that receiving this type of recognition is a source of pride and affirmation. I hope that this scholarship encourages students in the Pure Math Department to strive for academic excellence, deepen their educational passions, pursue diverse learning opportunities and contribute to their academic, cultural and other communities.

Q: Why is philanthropy in higher education important to you?

SK: The University of Waterloo, among other institutions, was instrumental to forming my sense of self and community. My philosophy on philanthropy is to give back to these institutions, for two reasons:

• Many of my positive experiences were made possible by funding from alumni. As an alum myself, I can now contribute to opportunities for current and future students.

• Many of my negative experiences can be solved by supporting access to and increasing funding for important resources related to mental health, student advocacy and other initiatives. Donating specifically to these causes demonstrates my values in a tangible, useful way that benefits all members of the University of Waterloo community.

Q: How would you like future students to understand your grandfather’s legacy?

SK: I hope that this scholarship introduces current and future Pure Math students to my grandfather and his legacy. He is remembered as a beloved member of my family and the University of Waterloo and Tamil communities, a lifelong student and teacher, and a strong believer in the power of education through academia and travel.