Engineering leader Jagath Kaluarachchi remembered for vision, mentorship and service

Former Utah State University College of Engineering Dean Jagath Kaluarachchi died from cancer on March 17 after a life of service to students. According to colleagues, his decades of leadership, research and mentorship shaped the college and the students who passed through it. 

 Kaluarachchi served in multiple roles at the university including professor, associate dean and dean. Colleagues and family members say his impact extended far beyond administrative titles, leaving a legacy defined by both innovation and people. 

According to his son, Rumal Kaluarachchi, USU was central to his father’s life. 

“Utah State was his whole life,” Rumal said. “That was his bread and butter.”  

Jagath Kaluarachchi spent years balancing teaching, research and administrative work, often traveling internationally for projects while maintaining a strong presence with his family. Rumal described him as a constant, steady figure in the background of family life. 

“He didn’t slow down for anything,” Rumal said.  

Born in Sri Lanka, Kaluarachchi’s academic journey took him across the world before arriving in the United States, where he earned a doctorate degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and eventually joined Utah State’s faculty. That global perspective, his son explained, shaped the way he approached both engineering and people. 

“He had a very strong grasp of people from different backgrounds,” Rumal said. “As long as everyone was speaking the same engineering language, everyone was able to contribute in an impactful way.”  

According to his son, Kaluarachchi emphasized a foundational principle of engineering, which was the importance of understanding theory before application. It was a lesson he passed on not only to his students but also to his own children. 

“If you understand the theory extremely well, then the applications are kind of just what you fit theory to,” Rumal said.  

That mindset carried into Kaluarachchi’s work with students, where he was known for setting high expectations while remaining supportive. Rumal recalled watching graduate students listen closely during meetings with his father. 

“They held him in very, very high regard,” Rumal said.  

Colleagues echoed that respect, pointing to Kaluarachchi’s leadership style as one of his defining qualities. 

Thomas Fronk, a longtime colleague in the College of Engineering, mentioned Kaluarachchi prioritized people above all else. 

“He always took everybody’s input,” Fronk said. “He was very much promoting people and promoting students.”  

Fronk, who worked alongside Kaluarachchi for nearly a decade, described him as both a thoughtful administrator and a consistently kind presence within the college. 

“I never saw him being impatient with people,” Fronk said. “He was always just a very considerate person.”  

During his time as dean, Kaluarachchi helped guide the college through periods of growth, supporting new initiatives and fostering collaboration across departments. According to colleagues, he focused on long-term development rather than short-term recognition. 

“He had a vision for the college,” Fronk said. “He was very thoughtful. It wasn’t just a shotgun approach.”  

 Fronk explained that even in administrative settings, Kaluarachchi remained deeply connected to students. He frequently met with student groups, encouraged their work and helped build confidence in their ideas. 

“I think everybody felt better after meeting with him,” Fronk said.  

 While his professional accomplishments were significant, those closest to him say his greatest legacy lies in the people he influenced. Rumal voiced that his father took pride in teaching others something beyond knowledge. 

“He wanted people to not just understand knowledge but to be able to think critically in a way that is unique to engineers,” Rumal said.  

 At home, Kaluarachchi will be remembered a supportive father who encouraged independence while offering guidance when needed. 

Rumal recalled his father’s advice: “I’ve got the 60 years of experience to tell you how this will likely go, but you can figure it out.” 

 Fronk noted the loss has been deeply felt within the college, especially given how quietly Kaluarachchi handled his illness. 

“We were all pretty shocked,” Fronk said. “He was a good leader — a kind friend.”  

Kaluarachchi retired June 2024 but remained in contact with former colleagues. Fronk explained Kaluarachchi kept his illness a secret the whole time.   

Colleagues and family both will remember him for steady leadership and a commitment to helping others succeed. 

“He was very committed to learning and the process of continuously accumulating and spreading knowledge,” Rumal said.