University community remembers School of Engineering professor Sam Shanmugan


Tue, 08/08/2017

author

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community is mourning the death of Kumarasamy “Sam” Shanmugan, a distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Shanmugan, 74, died Aug. 1 in Lawrence.

“Professor Shanmugan was an outstanding faculty member, earning accolades that recognized both his teaching and his research efforts during his long career in the School of Engineering, said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “On behalf of the entire university, I offer my sympathies to his family, his friends and to all who knew him at KU.”

Shanmugan first came to KU as a postdoctoral fellow in 1970. He returned to the university in 1980 as a distinguished professor and established KU’s program in communication systems. He taught topics like wireless communication systems and simulation of communication systems.

Shanmugan’s research interests included channel modeling and WCMA over satellite links. He published two books and numerous academic papers.

A member of Eta Kappa Nu, Phi Kappa Phi and an IEEE Fellow, Shanmugan earned several teaching and research awards at KU.

“Sam was a mentor to many of us as well as several generations of students,” said Victor Frost, the Dan F. Servey Distinguished Professor and Chair of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science. “His impact on his students, faculty colleagues and the department will endure.” 

A memorial service at KU will be scheduled for a later date.

Tue, 08/08/2017

author

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

Media Contacts

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

KU News Service

785-864-8858