Bradford Couple Establishes Business Scholarship in Memory of Daughter

Dr. V. Rao and Rajeswari Nadella of Bradford have established a scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in memory of their daughter, Seetal.

Seetal Nadella graduated from Pitt-Bradford in December 2006 with a degree in economics and died in October 2008 after a lengthy illness.

Her mother, Rajeswari Nadella, graduated in 1991 with a degree in business management.

The Seetal Nadella Memorial Scholarship will benefit a student of at least sophomore standing who is majoring in a business or economic discipline and has achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Preference will be given to a student from the counties of McKean, Elk, Warren, Cameron, Potter or Cattaraugus (N.Y.).

The Nadellas’ pledge of $50,000 will be matched by the Agnes L. and Lewis Lyle Thomas Scholarship Challenge. The Thomas Scholarship Challenge matches the amount of any gift between $5,000 and $50,000 given for scholarships.

Dr. Gautam Mukerjee, associate professor of economics, was Seetal’s professor and advisor.

“What made Seetal truly endearing was her self-effacing quality that carefully concealed a remarkably informed and balanced outlook on life,” he said. “Those admitted to her inner circle were amazed to discover a bright and sprightly personality with a very keen sense of humor that seldom missed its mark.

“Seetal’s untimely passing leaves a tragic gap in the lives of her family and friends that is not likely to be filled in the foreseeable future.”

The first recipient of the scholarship is Colby Case, an accounting major from Youngsville.

For more information on the Thomas Scholarship Challenge, contact Jill Ballard, executive director of institutional advancement, at jballard@pitt.edu or (814)362-5091.