Overview
Professor Govind Naidu
A native of Coimbartore, India, Dr. Naidu received his Ph.D. in Political Theory and Philosophy from Kent State University in 1980. He taught at Alaska Pacific University since 1979. An expert in the teachings and philosophies of Mahatma Ghandhi, Naidu is respected in the areas of world political systems as well as Pacific Rim International Relations. He was respected and admired by both faculty and students alike. Recipient of the APU Alumni Association “Faculty of the Year, 1984” award, Dr. Naidu was also recognized for his work in developing a Master of Liberal Arts Program and an International Student Cultural Group at APU. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the World Council, and was highly active in community affairs.
“He was truly a Renaissance man,” stated personal friend and fellow APU faculty, Dr. Raghbir Basi. “His knowledge in areas of economics, social sciences, history was to be admired. He will be truly missed by us all.”
Dr. Naidu died in his home on August 19th at the age of 63. The Dr. Govind Naidu Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 1985 to honor Professor Naidu and his lasting commitment to the University.
Dr. Ray Clements
Dr. Ray Clements served as the APU Dean of Students from 1979-1981 and was instrumental in the promotion of APU’s original vision of making APU a “New University for a New World.” Dr. Clements came to APU after serving as the International Student Advisor at George Washington University and as Dean at National Graduate University in Washington, D.C. With the help of one of APU’s alumni, Clements 40 international students from 13 different countries.
In 2015, APU alumni from 1979 to 1985 returned to APU after 30 years. APU alumni from places as distant as Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, and Turkey. During this historic reunion, Dr. Ray Clements was honored by these alumni who established an International Student Scholarship Fund in his name.
The two separate scholarship funds were created in order to benefit international students studying at Alaska Pacific University. The intention of these funds was to create a scholarship endowment that would support international students in perpetuity. Neither fund reached the endowment threshold required in order to endow the fund at the Alaska Pacific University Foundation. The union of these two funds is meant to honor the work and dedication both of these individuals gave to APU and its international students.
Awarding Criteria
Dr. Ray Clements and Professor Govind Naidu International Student Endowed Scholarship Fund will provide financial support to an international student enrolled at APU for tuition and fees. The student must meet the following criteria:
- Fully admitted degree-seeking International Student at Alaska Pacific University
- Preference will be given to undergraduate students, but open to all international students
- Minimum enrollment of half-time
