The family of Ramlaykha Singh has honored the longtime professor by endowing a memorial scholarship in his name
Harrison Berry
Over his many years as a teacher and administrator at Boise State University, Dr. Ramlaykha Singh saw many of his students from the College of Education become teachers and principals themselves — something that gave Singh great joy.
“He was able to see the impact of his teaching on people,” said his daughter, Vonita Singh. “He loved the lightbulb moments he’d see in his students. That was his favorite thing about his profession.”
Ramlaykha came to Boise State University to teach in the mid-1970s. He started teaching the fundamentals of education before taking on the role of director of field services, which oversees student teaching. When he passed away in July of 2020, his family established the Dr. Ramlaykha Singh Memorial Scholarship Endowment to be awarded annually to junior- and senior-level students enrolled in the College of Education with an interest in studying Special Education, and/or are first-generation college students.
Born in the South American nation of Guyana, Ramlaykha came to the United States to pursue higher education. He was a first-generation college student, receiving his bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University, and master’s and Ph.D degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. Upon graduation, he was offered a position at Boise State, and he relocated to Boise to raise his family. He had a particular passion for special education, which guided his family’s decision to establish a memorial scholarship.
“We are honoring his attitude and intent of giving back. One of the things he was most passionate about was to provide assistance to those students who wanted to focus on guiding special needs students. They held a special place in his heart,” Vonita said. “Our dad would love to help someone to be the first in their family to go to college by receiving this scholarship.”
