May 18, 2007 :: No. 204

It’s more than 8,000 miles from India to Fullerton, California.

Baban Pal Singh made the trip and the adjustment to life in Southern California with relative ease, and while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics, he helped other students adjust and thrive on the Cal State Fullerton campus.

For all that he has accomplished and the contributions he has made to the betterment of campus life, he is this year’s recipient of the International Understanding Award at Cal State Fullerton. Singh will be honored as part of the university’s commencement ceremonies, beginning with tonight’s Honors Convocation in the university’s Meng Concert Hall.

Singh completed requirements for his bachelor’s degree in 2 1/2 years by taking more than a full course load each semester, while working 20 hours a week as a tutor in the University Learning Center and holding leadership positions in several student organizations. He is usually on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, he says with enthusiasm.

“Baban is a bright and ambitious young man who is always willing to help no matter how busy he is,” said Radha Bhattacharya, associate professor of economics. This year alone, Singh served as president of the Economics Association and Phi Beta Delta Honor Society, a board member for the Sikh Student Association and was a member on the CSUF Cricket Club.

“As president of the Economics Association, he has always brought new ideas and thrust new momentum to the club … and yes, he always has a smile on his face,” Bhattacharya added.

Singh has served as the student representative on the International Education and Extended Education Academic committees, as well as the Associated Students Finance Committee. He’s also mentored other international students.

“Baban Pal is probably the most active and brilliant undergraduate student I have met in about a decade,” said Vincent Dropsy, professor of economics, who was co-president of Phi Beta Delta with Singh.

“I have had many opportunities to observe his boundless enthusiasm, energy and willingness to help,” Dropsy added, noting Singh’s involvement in the international scholars honor society’s Going Global Day last fall. “His leadership skills and sense of initiative are impressive, and his desire to be involved in internationally related activities is remarkable.”

Off campus, he has served as a volunteer at the Gurudawara Sikh Tempe in Walnut, where he has helped students learn the Punjabi language. He also has been involved with the Financial Planning Association of Orange County and recently presented two papers at the Honors Transfer Council of California Research Conference at UC Irvine.

But the hard-working scholar admits, “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my maternal grandparents, Hanwant Bir and Julbir Sawhney, or my aunt and uncle, Ekta and Jaspreed Sawhney. They played a really crucial role in my success.”

The Hacienda Heights resident will take part in the Cal State Fullerton’s commencement ceremony Sunday, May 20, before departing to spend the summer in India. Singh has been admitted to the university’s M.B.A. program and will be specializing in finance with the ultimate goal of becoming a financial analyst. He returns in August to take part in the International Student Orientation as a student panelist.

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