Graduating Devotee Scholar Is Valedictorian

July 8, 2003

On April 21 Ravi Gupta, 17, received the highest honor that Boise State University gives to anyone --the Silver Medallion. This award, which is usually reserved for community leaders, is rarely given to students. Ravi also received his dual degree in Mathematics and Philosophy.

BSU President Charles Ruch, while presenting the medal to Ravi at convocation ceremonies, said, "Ravi has shown excellence in every area, graduating at the age of 17 with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average." Ruch also noted that Ravi served as BSU's Vedic Philosophical and Cultural Society president and Golden Key National Honor Society vice president. He organized BSU's first Festival of India, writes a regular religion column in The Idaho Statesman, and has received many scholarships. The April 20 edition of the newspaper ran its lead front page story on Ravi's graduation.

Ravi was chosen as the valedictorian for the College of Arts and Sciences. During his 10-minute speech, the audience of several thousand remained spellbound as they listened to his thoughtful words. Through the course of the speech, Ravi quoted Chanakya Pandit on the meaning of education and gave several examples from Vedic scriptures.

"An institution of higher learning provides an open environment meant to foster an open mind," Ravi said. "As many of you know, I am a Hare Krishna, and I often come to class wearing this unique mark on my forehead. Not once, in all my years at Boise State, did anyone mock this style of dress. Instead, most people respectfully asked me the reason behind it, and I happily answered them. It is this kind of open exchange that is the mark of higher education, and I thank Boise State profusely for it." Then Ravi sang a Sanskrit verse in tribute to the spiritual master (om ajnana . . .) .

Afterwards, Ravi received a standing ovation and many came to him to tell him how moved they were. One person said, "There is something so clean about him, both inside and outside." At a reception his parents held at their home, Dr. Andrew Schoedinger, Professor of Philosophy, said, "I've never heard a better commencement speech, and I don't just mean students' speeches. This was the best speech, period." Ravi was also chosen as the top scholar from the class of 99.

At a banquet honoring the top ten scholars, Alan Brinton, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, noted, "Ravi has three qualities that distinguish him: he is humble, even in the face of his many accomplishments; he has a sense of dignity and self-respect; and he does not measure his own success by the failure of others. Rather, he willingly helps his fellow students." How does Ravi react to all this? He says, "Lord Krishna has given me a little bit of material success, but all these accomplishments are temporary. If I can somehow use my skills to serve Srila Prabhupada and become a good devotee, that will be the perfection of my life." Ravi, son of Boise ISKCON temple directors Ananta Rupa dasa and Aruddha dasi, is now heading to Oxford to study religion and Sanskrit.

Aruddha home-schooled Ravi and his younger brother, Gopal, with unstructured curriculum, being busy running the temple and Govinda's restaurant. She based her teaching on Srila Prabhupada's books, reading with the children and answering their questions.

"Srila Prabhupada's books are so profound that anyone who studies them can easily tackle the most difficult things in material education," Aruddha said. "The logic, philosophy, vocabulary, and, ultimately, spiritual potency of Srila Prabhupada's books far exceeds any piece of mundane literature." Ravi's brother, Gopal, 14, is a sophomore at Boise State University. He has received several scholarships and is following in his brother's footsteps. He will take over the religion column for The Idaho Statesman once Ravi leaves for Oxford.