The Department of Botany at The American College witnessed a moment of deep academic and emotional significance during a special alumni interaction held on campus. Faculty members, students, and alumni gathered to reconnect with the department’s rich scholarly heritage and to celebrate a legacy that spans nearly a century.

During the visit, Dr. Aravind Babu, alumnus and son of Late Mr. P. K. Madhavan Pillai (BA Botany, 1925–27), formally presented his father’s original herbarium record book to the department. Meticulously compiled during Mr. Pillai’s student years, the volume contains preserved plant specimens, detailed annotations, and study notes dating back to the 1920s. The historic record was handed over to the Botany Herbarium Museum for long-term preservation as part of the department’s museum collection.

Further strengthening this legacy, Dr. Aravind Babu instituted the P. K. Madhavan Pillai Endowment Fund with a generous contribution of ₹2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lakh). The endowment has been placed as a fixed deposit, and the annual interest will be used to support students of the Department of Botany during College Day celebrations, fostering academic encouragement and recognition.

This visit stands as a powerful testament to historical continuity, gratitude, and academic stewardship. The return of a father’s scholarly work by his son—nearly one hundred years later—symbolises the enduring relationship between alumni families and their alma mater. The American College and its alumni community gratefully acknowledge this extraordinary gesture, which bridges generations and enriches the academic life of present and future students.