FTCC Foundation Executive Director Sandy Ammons, Engineering & Applied Technology Dean Pam Gibson, Math & Sciences Dean Dr. Cameron Harmon, President Dr. Mark Sorrells, Foundation Board member Rani Juneja, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Robin Kivett, Foundation Scholarships Coordinator Eileen Hatch, and Computer Information Technology Dean Dwayne Campbell.
FTCC Foundation Board member Pratibha “Rani” Juneja was celebrated Wednesday with a ceremonial check presentation representing years of gifts made in support of the Juneja Family Legacy Endowed Scholarships.
The Junejas’ relationship with the Foundation started in 2019 when Rani and her husband, Parshotam “Paul” Juneja, gave $15,000 to establish what was then known as the Juneja Parshotam, Lal Devi and Bansi Lal Endowed Engineering Scholarship, named in honor of Paul Juneja’s parents. The donation was made November 11, Paul Juneja’s 89th birthday.
Paul Juneja passed away in August 2020, but his legacy lives on through the Juneja Family Legacy Endowed Scholarships, reflecting his belief in the importance of education.
“Paul was always smiling and just wanted to help people,” Rani Juneja said. “Education was very important to him, and he thought everyone should have the opportunity to learn.”
In 2021, Rani established a second scholarship in memory of her parents. Also in 2021, Rani joined the FTCC Foundation Board of Directors and became an active member of the board. She continued to establish a new scholarship each year thereafter to honor Paul and their family. She was honored with the FTCC Foundation Philanthropy Award in 2024.
The ceremonial check presented Wednesday was made in the amount of $84,000, representing the current sum the Juneja family has given to the Foundation.
The Juneja Family Legacy Endowed Scholarships includes six scholarships — five of which are designated for specific areas of study and one which will have a focus to be determined later.
The designations carry special meanings.
- The Juneja P. Engineering Scholarship was established in celebration of Mr. Parshotam “Paul” Juneja’s 89th birthday and in memory of his parents, Bansi Lal and Lal Devi.
- The Juneja P. General Education Scholarship was established in memory of Rani’s parents, Shanti & Chuni Lall Sawhney.
- The Juneja P. Information Technology Scholarship was established to honor Paul’s passion for photography and to assist students in the Digital Media Technology program.
- The Juneja P. Nursing Scholarship was established in honor of the medical personnel who helped Paul throughout his various illnesses and to honor the life of their son Prateek who recovered from a drowning accident.
- The Juneja P. Systems Security and Analysis Scholarship was established to assist students who are enrolled in various IT programs.
Paul Juneja, a retired engineer, was born in India in 1930, one of eight children born to Bansi Lal, a math author and attorney, and Lal Devi.
Parshotam “Paul” Juneja and Pratibha “Rani” Juneja in November 2019 when the couple established the first of the Juneja Family Legacy Endowed Scholarships.
In his youth, Paul showed little interest in education until an encounter with a teacher who took a special interest in him and encouraged him to do well. The experience changed the trajectory of his life.
In India, Mr. Juneja earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Math and a degree in Engineering from BIT Sindri. He graduated at the top of his class with honors and was vice chair of the school’s hockey team.
In 1959, Paul was sent by the Indian government to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to learn about steel manufacturing. He then returned to India, where he would spend 15 years with the Hindustan Steel Industry.
In 1962, Paul married Rani. The couple have two sons, Prateek and Puneet.
The Junejas immigrated to the United States in 1975 with just $7. Paul Juneja was hired by U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana, and worked there for ten years. During that time, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree and certification in Professional Engineering.
In 1985, Paul was hired by the U.S. Army as a civilian engineer. His initial assignment was in Fort Worth, Texas. He later transferred to Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg before retiring in Fayetteville in 1995.
In retirement, Paul pursued hobbies such as reading, gardening, photography, and playing bridge while making time to travel the world with Rani.
