Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window), his wife Tris(opens in new window) and their family have provided a $500,000 gift to the university to establish an endowed scholarship fund in honor of their son and brother Thomas Jahanian, who passed away on Sept. 25, 2021.

In recognition of Thomas' passion for philosophy, music and international relations, the scholarship will benefit students who are studying in one or more of those areas in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences(opens in new window) or in the College of Fine Arts(opens in new window).

Thomas was known and loved by his family and friends for his dazzling wit and intellect, profound compassion and ability to connect with others. A talented musician, he played and taught jazz guitar, in addition to playing piano and trumpet. At the time of his passing, he had been pursuing his academic interests at Duquesne University, where he had also built deep friendships and could often be found extending classroom discussions on the quad.

"Thomas inspired so many people with his zest for life and his unyielding curiosity about the world and other people," said Farnam Jahanian. "Our entire family felt strongly that one of the most meaningful ways we can extend his legacy is to invest in future generations of students who share his passions."

"More than a year after Thomas' passing, I continue to be grateful for the gifts he was able to share with the world during his time with us," said Tris Jahanian. "He was always looking to help others, so it brings us great comfort to honor his compassion through this student scholarship and to also support CMU — a community that means so much to us."

In May 2022, Duquesne University dedicated a bench in memory of Thomas and in honor of the many ways he enriched the campus with his love of learning. The Jahanian family also established a scholarship fund at Duquesne University(opens in new window) in Thomas' name earlier this year.

In addition to his parents, Thomas is survived by his older brother, Daniel, and younger sister, Sara, who graduated from CMU in 2020.