Celebrating Jagath Kaluarachchi’s Innovative Legacy at USU Engineering
Jagath Kaluarachchi, a longtime leader at Utah State University, died on March 17. He was 70 years old and a native of Sri Lanka.
Career and Service at Utah State University
Kaluarachchi served USU for more than three decades. He retired as dean of the College of Engineering.
Colleagues described him as kind and compassionate. Matt Jensen, the college communications director, noted Kaluarachchi’s broad impact on students and staff.
Leadership and Institutional Growth
He guided the college through sustained academic and research growth. Under his leadership, research awards doubled across the college.
The number of research centers grew to nine. One center was the NSF-sponsored ASPIRE Engineering Research Center for electrified transportation.
Kaluarachchi also created the college’s first three endowed professorships. He expanded faculty ranks through the Engineering Initiative legislative funding program.
Student-Focused Investments
He prioritized student success and practical learning resources. He launched multiple centers and upgraded facilities to support students.
- Dedicated student study space
- Engineering Tutoring Center
- Engineering Writing Center
- Metal Factory and Idea Factory
- Engineering Math Resource Center and improved computer labs
Academic Programs and Research
The college added several new master’s programs during his tenure. Programs included composite materials and structures, engineering education, and space systems engineering.
He oversaw creation of a first-of-its-kind online aerospace engineering master’s degree. Kaluarachchi remained an active researcher in water resources engineering for 30 years.
Education, Honors, and Professional Recognition
Kaluarachchi earned a civil engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. He earned a civil engineering master’s with a focus on hydrology from the University of Hong Kong.
He completed his doctorate at Virginia Tech in 1988. His PhD focused on environmental sciences and engineering, subsurface hydrology, and contaminant transport.
- Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers
- Fellow, Environmental & Water Resources Institute
- Diplomate in Water Resources Engineering, American Academy of Water Resources Engineers
- Robins Award for Outstanding Faculty Researcher, 2007
Legacy and Memorial Information
Peers remembered him for humility and a firm belief in education as a force for change. His leadership left lasting institutional improvements.
Celebrating Jagath Kaluarachchi’s Innovative Legacy at USU Engineering became a theme among colleagues and alumni. Memorial events and additional information are available at Filmogaz.com.
