Monte Ahuja, an Indian businessman and entrepreneur based in Cleveland recently gifted an amount of $3.5 million to Ohio State University. An alumnus of Ohio State University and Punjab Engineering College, Ahuja's intention in making the donation was to support students.

"I began Ohio State as an international student with a dream, determination, and empty pockets," mentions Ahuja. "What I learned through my studies and from the university community played a significant role in my entrepreneurial journey and accomplishments. My gift to the College of Engineering is an investment in students and success," he adds.

Ahuja currently serves as the Chairman & CEO of Mura Holdings LLC, a private investment company. He also founded Transtar Industries in 1975. Transtar, now owned by Friedman, Fleischer & Lowe, are the distributors of automotive transmission replacement parts to the aftermarket.

Born in India and educated at Punjab Engineering College, the Indian American entrepreneur came to Columbus in December 1968 for graduate school. He earned his master's degree from the Ohio State University. He then went on to earn his MBA at Cleveland State University.

Numerous awards are credited to Ahuja's name, including a Distinguished Alumni Award from Cleveland State University in 1990; an Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Outstanding American Citizens in 2001; and an International Executive of the Year Award by the World Trade Center of Cleveland in 2002, among others.