A Legacy of Learning: Research Awards Honoring the Parents of a Distinguished Professor

NJIT’s top student researchers present their achievements each year through the Dana Knox Student Research Showcase and the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering’s (MIE) capstone design project course. These venues provide platforms for students to highlight their discoveries, engage with members of the wider NJIT community, and have their work evaluated by professional researchers. Dr. Rajpal Sodhi, a long-serving member of NJIT’s MIE faculty, envisioned establishing two awards to celebrate these students' remarkable achievements.

The first, named in honor of Dr. Sodhi’s parents, recognizes the top three undergraduate and graduate projects competing in the annual Knox Showcase. Mr. R.S. Sodhi graduated with honors from Khalsa College, Amritsar, India. As a trained economist, he worked for the Indian Standards Institution for over thirty years, assisting manufacturers in producing quality goods for Indian consumers. Mrs. Sodhi, a dedicated mother to a disabled child, never wavered in caring for her four other children, ensuring they received the best upbringing possible. Mr. and Mrs. Sodhi deeply inspired their children to pursue higher education and serve others. As Dr. Sodhi remarked, “The best way to express our heartfelt gratitude for what our parents have done for us is to help underserved children obtain the same high-quality education we had access to.”

The second, memorializing the late Professor Aaron Deutschman, recognizes each semester’s top two undergraduate capstone projects in MIE. As an accomplished engineer, teacher, and animal rights champion, the late Aaron Deutschman has been described by former colleagues as a “man with a fierce spirit and a kind heart.”  Dr. Sodhi's initiative in establishing these awards exemplifies the university's dedication to nurturing academic inquiry and promoting excellence among its student community.