Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University Athletics announces Sudhakar R. "Jammy" Jamkhandi, Professor of English and Director of Bluefield State University's Office of International Initiatives, as the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR).
A member of the Bluefield State faculty since 1986, Dr. Jamkhandi also serves as the Director of the Honors College and Service-Learning programs. In his role as FAR, he will serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletics department and as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs.
Dr. Jamkhandi's personal commitment to the student-athlete experience began early in his academic career. In 1967, he was awarded Senior All-Rounder in high school for excelling in both academics and sports. He went on to become a "University Blue" as a member of the Karnatak University Hockey Team and spent ten years refereeing soccer and field hockey in Texas. At Bluefield State, he has remained a staunch supporter of student-athletes, advocating for those who pair their academic pursuits with physical prowess and talent.
Dr. Jamkhandi earned his Ph.D. in English from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He also holds a Master of Arts in English from Karnatak University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from Poona University. His teaching career spans a wide curriculum, from technical writing and freshman composition to the development of the BA in International Studies.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Jamkhandi has established a global legacy in international education. In 1981, he founded the scholarly periodical Commonwealth Novel in English and has secured multi-million-dollar grants from the U.S. Department of State and USAID to lead democratic institution-building projects in new democracies totaling almost 100. With his guidance, Bluefield State University has been recognized five times as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader, and in 2022, Bluefield State University was the recipient of the Export Achievement Award from the U.S. Commercial Services. In 2003, he received the Cyrus R. Vance Award for promoting International Education in West Virginia.
In addition to his university leadership, Dr. Jamkhandi is the founding President of the Center for International Understanding, Inc., and has served on the National Screening Committee for the U.S. Fulbright Student Program. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Bluefield Community Center and the Higher Education Committee for the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the WV Humanities Council's Program Committee and the WV Export Council and oversees Breaking Blues, an online magazine featuring success stories of BSU students and alumni.
