The University of West Florida recently celebrated a transformational gift of $100,000 to UWF’s Clinical Lab Sciences program by Dr. Ranga Rao Krothapalli, in memory of his wife, UWF Professor Emeritus, Swarna Krothapalli.
The Professor Emeritus Swarna Krothapalli Endowed Scholarship for Clinical Laboratory Sciences will honor and pay tribute to the distinguished faculty member who had a lifelong dedication to students and impacted the lives of thousands of students in Clinical Lab Sciences and Medical Technology.
“This scholarship endowment enables our family to express our enduring love for Swarna while providing long-lasting support to UWF’s Clinical Lab Sciences program,†Krothapalli said. “Swarna dedicated her entire academic career and derived much joy and pride from establishing an exemplary record of program quality, student success and professional service.â€
Clinical Lab Sciences senior, Krystle Shelton, and junior, Austin Turner, were named the first recipients of the Professor Emeritus Swarna Krothapalli Endowed Scholarship for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Shelton, who holds a 4.0 GPA, is a member of the Medical Technology Student Association and is doing her clinical internship at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Turner, who holds a 4.0 GPA, is the president of the Medical Technology Student Association and will begin her clinical internship at Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center in May.
“The endowed scholarships, to be awarded annually and in perpetuity in memory and honor of Swarna, will warm our hearts and serve the students and institution well,†Krothapalli said. “We wish all the best for the continued success of UWF’s Clinical Lab Sciences program and UWF.”
Since the beginning of her tenure in 1979, Swarna Krothapalli served in various positions including faculty associate, acting chairperson assistant professor and program director, associate professor and program director and Professor Emeritus. Under her leadership, the UWF Medical Technology Program and the Clinical Lab Sciences program grew and flourished. Prior to her tenure at UWF, she served in various organizations including Andhra University in India, Tulane University School of Medicine, Baptist Hospital, West Florida Regional Medical Center and Sacred Heart Hospital.
UWF President Judith Bense said Swarna Krothapalli’s scholarship will enable the University to enhance academic opportunities for current and future Clinical Lab Science students.
“I am grateful for Dr. Krothapalli’s generosity to the University through this scholarship endowment that he is creating to improve the lives of our students,†Bense said. “This is a thoughtful and lasting legacy to Swarna and one that will live on at UWF. “
Dr. Ranga Rao Krothapalli has served at the University for more than 35 years in various positions including professor of biology, University research professor, dean, director of the Center for Environmental Diagnostic and Bio Remediation and Professor Emeritus.
