Memories of Professor VG from his Students and Colleagues
by Kareem Sanjaghi, Angela Fellows, Kathy Andrews, Dave Ziemba
Dear Cape Cod Community College –
I was very sad to hear of the passing of VG – Virender Gautam.
I met VG in the spring of 2008.
I enjoyed his class so much I later joined the Economics Club – first as a member and later I became more involved as Treasurer.
He would bring in guest speakers from the community for the students to learn from.
His work with the school snack bar helped raise funds for scholarships.
I took 4 classes with VG during my time at the college and enjoyed all of them.
I later transferred to Boston College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, very much inspired by my studies with VG.
VG represented everything that is great about CCCC: a passion for academics and a sincere interest in students and education.
I am very grateful to have crossed paths with this amazing professor – thank you VG!
By Kareem Sanjaghi
VG dedicated this life to teaching and community service. He devoted himself to the college, the students and the clubs. He taught Econ courses, both fall and spring, during winter session and in the summer. He founded and advised two clubs on campus, Economics and Rotaract. The Economics club started an endowment account back some twenty years ago and has been giving out scholarships to CCCC (4Cs) students every year. The Econ Club ran a coffee stand in the connector for years that raised money for scholarships. Both clubs brought hundreds of speakers to the campus from the community.
He had a student back around 2002 named Adam and this student became a role model for others to follow. Adam was the one VG talked about a lot. He was the student who came to 4Cs feeling as a failure, and afterward, came to get straight As and serve his community. VG changed many students’ lives. He said he would ask himself, once in a while, if he should go somewhere else. The answer was no. The best place to make a difference was at a community college.
He was the best of the best. He had two masters and a PhD in economics, earned best research paper awards, excellence in teaching, and a diversity award among others. He loved his two dogs so much and often spoke about them. In class, stories of his dogs often would help explain economic concepts. I learned about negative marginal utility from the story of when Kooklie ate too much chicken one night.
I learned from VG to enjoy what you have while you have it, because nothing lasts. He was the kindest person. He was like no one I have ever met, an enlightened soul who worked for others and never for personal self. He taught to put in the work and if something comes out of it, then good, and if something does not come, then it's still good, because the effort alone is in your control. It should be enough if done with your full heart.
He often said this quote about his dad, and now, I believe it could be said for him: “Great men never die, and it is up to us to keep them immortal by continuing the great work they have commenced.” – Mahatma Gandhi
By Angela Fellows
Professor Virender Gautam (affectionately known as VG) was not only a colleague, but also a friend. Early after our first meeting, I knew that we would be sharing our thoughts and ideas [as well as our gripes] with one another. VG would have students lined up outside of his office door, patiently waiting for their turn to sit in his office. They would question him about their Economics classes, or what project they were going to be working on next.
When I took on the role of student Rotaract Club Advisor, I went to VG, who had been the club's advisor previously. I really had no clue what this Club entailed, and he would sit in my office to give me tons of information. I joined a Rotary Club to learn more about what Rotary was and how they interacted with the local community and beyond. VG belonged to another Rotary Club, and we would compare notes. Our friendship grew and he would call on me to help "cut the cake" when he would bring all of his students up to the 2nd floor of the South Building to commemorate his father's and his sister's passing.
VG was advisor to the Economics Club. Our Clubs would interact on different projects throughout the semester. The biggest highlight was the Multicultural Festival, which would bring thousands of people to the campus. VG would drive in the evening before to start the set-up of his exhibitor's table which, I thought, consisted of all the contents of his home. He took great enjoyment in describing each article that he placed on his table. He would always have several students at his table to help him load, unload, reload and then return all of his precious memories back to his home.
During my last Multicultural Festival, VG surprised me with a dupatta, which he had brought back from one of his trips to his homeland of India. I cannot tell you how humble I felt as he put the dupatta over my shoulders. That show of love was the ultimate gift that I will treasure for the rest of my days. You are missed my dear friend, more than you could ever imagine!!
By Kathy Andrews
What I will remember most about Professor Gautam is that, as his passing approached, he asked his friends to honor him by doing something kind for a stranger. Since I was very busy at the time, the only real opportunity that I had to do something kind was to give $10 to strangers. When I walked up to strangers-- many of whom were cashiers and store clerks-- and gave them the cash, they were all so appreciative. Most cried when I told them about VG and his wish to spread kindness. I often feel lost when a friend passes, and I don’t know what to do
to show my respect but now I know. I know what to do because of VG. I am so grateful for his lesson.
I had the privilege of working with Professor Virender Gautam for over 30 years. He was one of the finest people I have ever known. He was so kind to others and always willing to help our students. In my role as former Dean of Learning Resources and Student Success, I was responsible for the College’ Student Life area. I worked with VG in his role an advisor to the Economics and Rotaract Clubs. He provided so many students with the opportunity to travel and interact with their peers both locally and around the world. He also offered many students the opportunity to participate in a community service project as a part of their course. He encouraged students to become involved in government and brought many incredible guest speakers to campus.
I always admired VG for his integrity. I also served as the College's Code of Conduct Administrator. On one occasion, one of his advisees had been accused of a conduct violation. I will always remember the student telling me that VG had told the him to tell the truth, to be honest, and to accept the consequences of his behavior.
Several years ago, he served as the Keynote speaker at the College’s Multicultural Festival. He delivered such a wonderful speech in which he explained the meaning of the word “Namaste,” which is an important word in his culture.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with VG. I will work to continue his mission of being kind to people just as he once told me: You can never really hurt someone if you are kind to them.
By Dave Ziemba
Categories: Featured,