Suresh Shah (’67)

“It was a great pleasure to be a student at Christian Brothers College. There were many weekends of nothing but studying — although the memories of cooling off during the hot summer days in the CBC pool are still with me. I worked part-time in the library for Ms. Lee, who was the wife of Mr. Lee, my Fluid Mechanics teacher. I always appreciated Mr. James Guy staying long hours after school to help me with Mechanics. I am also grateful to all the Brothers who helped us with our studies on the weekend. Dr. Sun, Mr. Lee, and Mr. Krupica set the standards of what a great teacher should be.”

During his time studying Mechanical Engineering at CBC in the mid-1960s, Suresh Shah was placed with a host family — Charles Allen Smith and Mary Elizabeth Smith — and lived in their home near Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis). “I was treated like a family member by the Smith family,” he recalls. “I am possibly one of the very few people in the world who was influenced by two sets of parents, my biological parents and my host parents in Memphis.”

After graduating with his BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1967, Suresh began his 42-year engineering career, holding various positions at engineering firms in Chicago, Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Houston. In 2009, he retired from his position as a computer programmer at IBM Corporation and started his second career as a teacher with the Aldine Independent School District in Houston, TX. Today, he still teaches Mathematics and Computer Science at Klein Collins High School and is an adjunct professor of Mathematics at Lone Star College-University Park in Houston.

Over the years, Suresh has also been active in his community and volunteer service. He served as a member and volunteer for the Oklahoma Professional Engineering Society and held many offices in the Toastmaster International Clubs, including District Governor, Area Governor, and Club President. He has served as a volunteer running coach for many years — and has completed 82 marathons himself! He has also served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician (and saved a life using CPR) and has recently applied to be a volunteer for the Peace Corp and Doctors Without Borders — for which he is currently studying to obtain his RN license.

Suresh and his wife have raised three adopted children of different races and — following the example of the Smith family in Memphis — have hosted dozens of exchange students from multiple countries over the years. They have also helped to pay for college for two students through the Texas Tomorrow Fund.

The Christian Brothers set standards for me as to how to succeed at my studies. Using this standard, I also achieved an Associate in Computer Science, a master’s in Industrial Engineering, a master’s in Education, a professional engineering license, and multiple trade licenses such as utility contractor, plumbing contractor, heating and air conditioning contractor, gas fitters, and electrical contractor.