The Department of Political Science mourns Jaspreet Singh Pandher

It is with immense sadness that we share the passing of our fellow undergraduate student, Jaspreet Singh Pandher, on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Jaspreet was pursuing a double major in political science and history. He was an active member of the political science community, serving as a senior peer reviewer with the Political Science Undergraduate Review from 2020 to 2021. He also participated in the OASIS Policy Case Competition in 2020, finishing in the top three.

He had a deep passion for Canadian politics and dedicated himself to advancing inclusivity and equality. He was an integral member of the Sikh Youth Leadership Institute, the Young Liberals at the University of Alberta, and the Sikh Students’ Association, helping to organize the Turban, Eh? event in 2016.

Jaspreet’s warmth, humility, and sharp wit will be dearly missed by his peers and those who taught him.

Fea Gelvezon writes:

"I volunteered with Jas as a fellow reviewer for the Political Science Undergraduate Journal from 2020 to 2021. We were also team members for the Oasis Policy Case Competition in 2020. He was an eager collaborator, always willing to listen to new ideas and learn from others.

Jas had years of political experience under his belt, and he was always happy to provide guidance and share opportunities to those who want to pursue a career in politics. He was generous with his advice and carried himself without an ego. His passion, kindness, and care for his friends and community will be dearly missed."

From Dr. Ian Urqhuart:

"What is the greatest reward that a university professor can receive? For me, it was the opportunity to engage with students – especially those who appreciated how important politics could be to their futures and who wanted to contribute positively to public life.

Jaspreet was one of those students, one of those citizens, and his passing at such a young age is especially tragic. The quality of public life in Canada will suffer in his absence. I had the privilege to have Jaspreet as one of my students in several classes. It was such a privilege to talk and work with him, to do my best to nurture his analytical skills (and to joke with him about the possibility that the Liberal Party could make mistakes…as occasional as they might be!!).

I just re-read an essay Jaspreet wrote for me in 2017. It asked students to examine different dimensions/types of power and consider how many of those dimensions lived in George Orwell’s book 1984. Jaspreet’s analysis was brilliant. His analysis was sophisticated; that first-year paper exhibited the very high quality of thinking and communicating you hope you will someday see in the work of senior undergraduates or graduate students.

I had not been in touch with Jaspreet since I left the university. But I still can see him in the Tory Breezeway lecture hall – sitting 2/3rds to 3/4ths of the way back and in the centre (like a good Liberal perhaps). If he was still with us, I am sure we could sit together and pick up exactly where we had left off.

I am grateful for having had an opportunity to play some part in Jaspreet’s all-too-short life. It was a tremendous gift."

Should you wish to donate to the Jaspreet Singh Pandher Memorial Endowment in Political Science, please click here.