GSSM to Host Celebration of Life for Beloved Teacher, Dr. Bhuvana Parameswaran

GSSM to Host Celebration of Life for Beloved Teacher, Dr. Bhuvana Parameswaran 

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (Nov. 7, 2024) -?The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) will host a Celebration of Life ceremony on Nov. 13, 2024, honoring the late Dr. Bhuvana Parameswaran, a cherished and long-serving member of the GSSM faculty. The ceremony will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in the GSSM Campus gym, where students, alumni, faculty, and the public are invited to gather to remember and celebrate Dr. Bhuvana’s life and legacy. 

Dr. Bhuvana, who taught in the Biology Department, joined GSSM in 1998, where she served as faculty lead for the Health Occupations Students of America and Asian Culture clubs. Over her remarkable 25-year tenure, Dr. Bhuvana made an indelible impact on her students and colleagues alike. Her sudden passing on October 14 at the age of 64 has left the GSSM community deeply saddened. 

“Dr. Bhuvana’s over two decades of service to GSSM has impacted students, colleagues, and families in countless ways. So many of our graduates attribute their current studies or employment to Bhuvana’s class and passion for her subject,” shared Danny Dorsel, GSSM President and a member of the Class of 1990. “Bhuvana’s passing is a significant loss to the GSSM community, but knowing her, she would want us to continue working hard and getting better, and so we will.” 

Students remember Dr. Bhuvana as a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring educator. “Dr. Bhuvana was brilliant. You could ask her anything, and she'd just know the answer. Her eyes would light up, and she'd smile while explaining every detail,” said GSSM senior Phoenix Zhao. “She was so passionate that it was contagious! Many of my friends signed up for her extremely challenging courses just to experience her teaching.” 

In addition to sharing memories, those impacted by Dr. Bhuvana are encouraged to write a letter or card for her family, detailing the impact she had on their lives. These personal messages can be brought to the ceremony or emailed to Dr. Neval Erturk at nerturk@governors.school by Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. Guests are also invited to contribute photos and reflections, which will be compiled into a book to be presented to Dr. Bhuvana’s family. These public submissions are welcome through December 9, 2024. Messages and photos can be emailed to Susan Engelhardt at engelhardt@governors.school. 

The Celebration of Life will feature an open mic, where those wishing to share brief tributes may honor Dr. Bhuvana’s memory. Attendees who are not current GSSM students, faculty, or staff are asked to register at www.scgssm.org/register by 11 a.m. on Nov. 13. Anyone who is not a current student, faculty, or staff member and is not registered will be required to check in at the security desk in the center lobby prior to entering the celebration. For those who cannot attend, the celebration will be livestreamed on the GSSM YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@scgssm1988. 

“Dr. Bhuvana’s legacy at GSSM lives on through the countless students whose lives she touched,” added Mr. Dorsel. “As we come together to remember her, we hope this ceremony will provide a meaningful opportunity for our community to express their appreciation for all she contributed.” 

For more information, please contact the GSSM Marketing and Communications Department at (843) 383-3944. 

About the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics 
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a nationally ranked top 10 public high school that exists to bring world-class STEM education to students across the state. Founded in 1988 by Governor Carroll Campbell, GSSM is a state resource that offers a variety of programs including an intensive 2-year residential high school, a challenging virtual engineering program, summer camps, and in-school experiences for students in 3rd through 12th grades. At GSSM challenge is viewed as a gateway to opportunity. Learn more about how we help students realize their full potential by visiting www.scgssm.org.