Meet Ravi Talwar
The new name of the Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences recognizes the family of distinguished 1965 graduate Ravi and spouse Eleanor Talwar
When Ravi Talwar, BSME 1965, first left his home country in the early ‘60’s, he went with the love and support of his family. Still, he felt a little uncertain about what he might experience so far from home. “When I came to Indiana Tech nearly 60 years ago, it was the first time I had the opportunity to travel outside my home country of India,” he notes. “I was not sure what to expect, but my parents supported and encouraged me. I soon found out that Indiana Tech was also a place where people would support and encourage me.”
Talwar went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Indiana Tech, and soon after began a long and distinguished career as an engineer, business manager, and entrepreneur. He met his future wife, Eleanor, not long after his time at the university. In the years since,
the Talwars have become steadfast supporters of the university in myriad ways. They’ve shared their time, talent and treasure to help students have the same opportunity for support, encouragement and quality education that Ravi found during his time at Tech.
In recognition of their outstanding commitment to the university and its students, Indiana Tech has named its College of Engineering and Computer Sciences in honor of the Talwar family. The Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences name will go into effect immediately, having been recommended by the university’s senior leadership and unanimously supported by Indiana Tech’s board of trustees
at their most recent meeting in December 2021.
Indiana Tech President Karl Einolf shares that, “Ravi and Eleanor Talwar exemplify a deep commitment to our students and to our mission of preparing them for successful careers and lives of significance and worth. For many years, they have given generously of their time, talent and treasure to help build Indiana Tech into what it is today, and what it will become in the future. I can think of no one more deserving of an honor such as this. All of us at Indiana Tech are grateful for their longtime support, and proud to have them as members of our Warrior family.”
In addition to the BSME degree he earned at Tech in 1965, Talwar was recognized for his longstanding commitment to the university with an honorary doctor of engineering degree in 2013. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Delhi University in India and a Master of Science degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. He was elected to the Indiana Tech board of trustees in 2016, and currently serves as chair of the board’s academic affairs committee.
In his professional life, Talwar is the President and Owner of Tishler Industries, Inc. and Gate City Steel, Inc., in addition to being active in his community as a SCORE mentor. Talwar has also been the President and Owner of RJ Rebar, Inc. and RTW Industries, Inc.; the Managing Director of JEDAC, a joint venture of General Electric and a Saudi Arabian company; and the Vice President of Manufacturing for Wellman Thermal Systems, Inc. In 2018, he was named an Outstanding Industrial Engineer by Purdue University in recognition of his exceptional professional achievements.
In describing the experience of learning that the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences would bear the Talwar name, Ravi confides, “When Eleanor and I first learned of this honor from President Einolf, my first thoughts were of my parents, and of how this recognition is really for them. Thanks to them, and with the help of Indiana Tech, my family and I have been able to achieve success and give back to help others succeed. Eleanor and I look forward to being involved with students here at the university for years to come.”
The home of the newly christened Talwar College of Engineering and Computer Sciences will be the expanded and renovated Zollner Engineering Center on Indiana Tech’s main campus in Fort Wayne. The first phase of that project will be finished in the fall of 2022, with final completion set for the fall of 2023. For more information on the new engineering center,
visit indianatech.edu/zollner.