Meet the Founders of Tamtam Education Society

Discover the founding members of Tamtam Education Society, their backgrounds, and their vision for educational excellence. Each member brings a wealth of experience and a shared passion for fostering a dynamic learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.

Dr. Ward Jewell

A Visionary Leader in Education

Board Member &Chair: Dr. Ward T. Jewell, Ph.D., is a distinguished scholar and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Wichita State University (WSU). He served on the WSU faculty for more than 35 years, beginning in 1987 and continuing until his retirement in 2022, after which he was honored with emeritus status.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Jewell established himself as a respected educator, mentor, and researcher in the fields of power systems, renewable energy, photovoltaic systems, demand response, and machine learning applications in energy forecasting. His extensive body of research includes highly cited publications in IEEE journals and conferences, reflecting his long-standing contributions to the advancement of electrical engineering. Dr. Jewell’s academic influence extends far beyond his research. Over the decades, he guided and graduated numerous undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and national laboratories. His mentorship is widely recognized for its rigor, encouragement, and commitment to student success—qualities that have shaped generations of engineers at Wichita State University.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Jewell has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. His involvement brings exceptional expertise, credibility, and leadership to the organization. With his deep experience in engineering education and his lifelong dedication to student development, Dr. Jewell’s guidance will be invaluable as the Society continues its mission to uplift communities through quality education.

Dr. Edwin Sawn

Advocate for Student-Centered Learning

Board Member:Dr. M. Edwin Sawan, Ph.D., is a highly respected scholar and Professor Emeritus in the College of Engineering at Wichita State University (WSU). Over the course of more than 45 years on the WSU faculty, he built an exceptional reputation as an educator, researcher, and mentor in the field of control systems. His academic expertise spans automatic control, linear systems, digital control, discrete‑event systems, optimal control, and large‑scale system analysis.

He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Alexandria, and completed his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana‑Champaign in 1979. He began his academic career at Wichita State University and retired from the same institution after decades of dedicated service. Even in retirement, he continues to support WSU whenever needed.

We are honored that Dr. Edwin Sawan has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, our nonprofit organization committed to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. His extensive academic experience, strong leadership background, and lifelong dedication to teaching will bring tremendous value to our mission. His involvement strengthens our commitment to providing high‑quality education and mentorship to the next generation.

Dr. Perlekar Tamtam

Community Engagement Advocate

Board Member & President: Dr. Perlekar Tamtam, Ph.D., is an accomplished electrical engineer, educator, and community leader whose career spans academia, industry, and nonprofit service. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, building a strong foundation in power systems, control systems, and applied engineering research. His academic training and professional discipline have shaped his approach to teaching, leadership, and community development. Dr. Tamtam served as a Teaching Professor at Wichita State University, where he taught and mentored undergraduate and graduate students in electrical engineering.

In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Tamtam currently works as an Electrical Engineer at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant, where he applies his technical expertise to one of the most critical and highly regulated engineering environments in the United States. Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Dr. Tamtam is the Founder and Director of Tamtam’s Robotics School in Santhinagar, India. Through this initiative, he has expanded access to STEM education for rural students, offering hands‑on learning opportunities in robotics, technology, and problem‑solving. His leadership has helped many students discover new academic pathways and build confidence in their abilities.

We are honored that Dr. Perlekar Tamtam has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. His academic background, teaching experience, and lifelong dedication to empowering young learners bring exceptional value to the Society’s mission. His involvement strengthens our commitment to providing high‑quality education, mentorship, and community upliftment.

Meet Our Dedicated Committee Members

At Tamtam Education Society, our committee members are more than just volunteers; they are pivotal to our mission of providing quality education in Wichita and beyond. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to excellence in education. Their collaborative efforts help us develop policies and strategies that benefit our students and community.

Dhanunjay Joshi

Vice President:

Mr. Dhanunjay Joshi moved from India to the United States to pursue his master’s degree at Oklahoma State University. After completing his studies, he began his professional career at Cessna in Wichita. He has also served as President of the Hindu Temple of Wichita and continues to contribute to the Wichita community through his active involvement in Balvihar.

We are honored that Mr. Joshi has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, our nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. His commitment to service reflects his leadership, integrity, and dedication to helping young people succeed.

Connie Wells Owens

Treasurer:

Connie Wells Owens earned her bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University and her master’s degree from Wichita State University (WSU). She currently serves at Oklahoma Panhandle State University as the Director of the Student Center and Humanities, in addition to her role as an adjunct instructor. Connie is a respected member of the Wichita, Kansas community, known for her professionalism, integrity, and long-standing commitment to education and service. She dedicated 25 years of her career to Wichita State University, where she made significant contributions through her administrative leadership, student support, and commitment to fostering a positive academic environment. Her colleagues and students consistently remember her for her reliability, kindness, and strong work ethic—qualities that made her an invaluable part of the WSU community.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Connie has remained deeply committed to community service. She has actively supported programs that uplift families, expand educational access, and promote mentorship for young people. Her dedication to helping others reflects her strong belief in the power of education and community engagement. Over the years, many international students have affectionately referred to her as a “second mother,” a testament to the moral support and guidance she provided to them while they were far from home.

We are honored that Connie Wells Owens has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, our nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. Her experience at Wichita State University, combined with her strong values and commitment to service, brings tremendous strength to our mission. Her involvement reinforces our efforts to provide high‑quality education, mentorship, and support to the next generation.ll.

Sumanth Eanumula

Secretary:

Sumanth Eanumula moved from India to pursue his master’s degree at Wichita State University and successfully graduated in 2024. He is currently working as a software engineer in Wichita. We are honored that Sumanth has graciously agreed to serve as a member of the Tamtam Education Society, our nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved students. His involvement strengthens our mission and reflects his commitment to giving back to the community.

Bhargav Koppolu

At-Large Member:

Dr. Bhargav Koppolu is an Assistant Professor and Director of Mechanical Engineering at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University in 2022, completing a dissertation on compliant electrostatic actuators for robotic applications. His academic path also includes a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Pittsburg State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, India.

His professional background spans research, teaching, and industry. He has served as a Research Assistant and Instructor at Wichita State University and gained engineering experience as an intern at Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited in India. At Friends University, he contributes significantly to academic quality and accreditation through ABET-related initiatives and serves as an ABET Program Evaluator. He also holds leadership and service roles as Treasurer of the SAE International Wichita Section and as a member of the Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Dr. Koppolu’s research portfolio includes publications in microactuators, dielectric elastomer actuators, electrocoalescence physics, and engineering systems. He is also the author of a book on robotics and automation. His professional accomplishments have been recognized with several honors, including the Outstanding Young Engineer Award (2025) from the Wichita Council of Engineering Societies.