10/06/2026
The Department of Mathematics and Physics at Texas A&M International University is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dr. Rohitha Goonatilake, a professor, mentor, colleague, and friend whose dedication to TAMIU and its students spanned more than two decades.
Dr. Goonatilake joined TAMIU in 1999 and served as Professor of Mathematics from 2012 until his passing. In 2015, he became the Founding Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Physics, helping establish and shape the department he cared so deeply about. He also served as Interim Chair of the Department of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics and held numerous leadership and service roles throughout his career.
His contributions to TAMIU extended far beyond the classroom. He was a dedicated educator, researcher, mentor, and advocate for students in mathematics, STEM, and teacher education. Throughout his career, he taught an extraordinary range of undergraduate and graduate courses, directed student research and honors projects, served on thesis and comprehensive examination committees, and encouraged students to pursue research and share their work at academic conferences.
Dr. Goonatilake was deeply committed to creating opportunities for students. He served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on numerous federal and state-funded initiatives supporting STEM education, scholarships, research, teacher preparation, recruitment, retention, and student success. Among these was the Title V Building Scholars program, a $2.7 million initiative through which he helped expand educational opportunities for students in our region.
He also chaired the STEM-Recruitment, Retention, and Graduations (STEM-RRG) Scholarship Committee. Under this program, a $502,000 endowment was established to provide ongoing scholarship support for TAMIU students, made possible through the generous contributions of more than 25 TAMIU donors. His work helped create opportunities that would continue to benefit students well beyond the life of an individual grant.
His commitment to the academic community was also evident in his service to the department. He was a member of the Faculty Colloquium and Student Conference Organization Committee and played an important role in organizing the department’s annual Fall Conference. What began as a department event eventually grew into a broader academic conference, providing students and faculty with opportunities to present their work, learn from one another, and engage with the wider academic community.
Dr. Goonatilake's dedication to mentoring and student success was recognized nationally. In 2016, he received the National Role Model Faculty Mentor Award, recognizing his commitment to mentoring and supporting students. He was also honored with the Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators Award, the Senator Judith Zaffirini Award for Leadership, Service, and Scholarship, the University Honors Faculty Member of the Year Award, and the Scholar of the Year Award.
Yet, for those who knew him, his legacy cannot be measured by degrees, grants, publications, awards, or titles alone.
Dr. Goonatilake genuinely cared about people. He encouraged students and colleagues to believe in themselves, pursue opportunities, conduct research, apply for grants, attend conferences, and take on challenges they might not have otherwise considered. He was extraordinarily hardworking, meticulous, generous with his knowledge, and deeply committed to doing things well and doing them right.
He was a professor to many, a mentor to countless students and colleagues, and a friend to those fortunate enough to know him personally.
His sudden passing leaves a tremendous void in our department and in the TAMIU community. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, former students, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched.
Dr. Goonatilake's impact will continue through the students he taught, the people he mentored, the opportunities he created, the programs he helped build, and the department he helped establish. His legacy will remain a lasting part of TAMIU.
Rest in peace, Dr. Goonatilake. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
