Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Dr. Mahe Velauthapillai (Photo: Roland Dimaya)

What do you regard as your greatest academic success?
Endowed chair.

What is your idea of happiness?
Seeing my family and my students happy.

Who or what was the greatest influence in your life that led to your career?
My parents.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Nothing.

What do you enjoy about teaching?
Seeing students’ faces light up when they understand a hard concept. Always having to learn new concepts.

Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in real life (and why)?
My parents; they showed me the right path.

Who is your favorite musician?
Keeps changing, I like all good music. I listen to all English, Tamil, Sinhalease, and Hindi music.

Who is your favorite thinker?
Sage Viyasar (Hindu philosopher who wrote the Epic Mahabharat; Bhagavad Gita is a part of this epic).

What historical figure would you most like to meet and why?
Gandhi; ask him for help to stop all the violence in this world.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Prejudice.

If you could change one thing at Georgetown, what would it be?
Focus more on science.

If you could come back to life as a plant/animal/thing, what would it be?
Dog.

What is your favorite word?
Peace.

What, if any, is your phobia?
Water.

How do you have fun?
Talk to my family, play with my dog, play tennis and travel.

What is the best piece of advice you could give to your students?
NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
NEVER EVER GIVE UP (from my parents).

What is your motto?
NEVER EVER GIVE UP.

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