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Scholars meet with, learn from Pittsburgh business leader

By Maura Fenske for The Yellow Jacket 3 min read

Students of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership, along with students from the Bonner Program, had the opportunity to hear D. Raja, a Pittsburgh area entrepreneur and politician, speak at a lunch gathering on Nov. 18, in Eberly Library.

Raja’s moral and business philosophies fit snugly, both into Waynesburg University’s connection to faith, service and learning and to the Stover Program’s goal to transform politics through education and morality.

Raja addressed such topics as education, politics and computer science. 

He also spoke to the group about servant leadership, something both close to his heart and closely intertwined with the Waynesburg mission.

Raja is the co-founder of Computer Enterprises Inc. (CEI), a Pittsburgh-based computer software company. He has been named CEO of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year many times by Pittsburgh publications and organizations, yet he has not lost sight of where he began.

Raja grew up in south India and attended Anna University, a school an hour away from his home. The public buses he took to and from school were often so crowded that people would hang dangerously far out of them, sometimes fatally injuring themselves.

“Going to school was difficult,” said Raja. “Not as easy as it is here.”

Raja would never take the easy path. Though he began his education in electrical engineering, he made the switch to computer science in 1986 after moving to America when the industry was experiencing rapid growth. 

Because of his change in focus, it was necessary for him to retake his undergraduate courses. He did so at Virginia Tech. 

He went on to receive an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Raja’s first job after graduate school was with Formtek, a software company. He spent five years with the company in Silicon Valley, California.

“But then I decided that Pittsburgh was home to me, and I came back,” said Raja.

Raja, his wife and their two daughters currently reside in Mt. Lebanon.

CEI began as a two-person consulting firm, humbly headquartered in the bedroom of his townhouse. It has grown into a global information technology business.

“I never took a handout, never took a loan to grow the business,” said Raja. “Ever.”

In addition to his entrepreneurial presence in Pittsburgh, Raja is a constant presence in Pittsburgh politics and communication. He hosts a business- and finance-focused radio show, “The Raja Show,” on KDKA.

Paige Carter, junior pre-law major and Stover Scholar, appreciated Raja’s willingness to give advice, guidance and answers at the lunch event.

“Our meeting with Mr. Raja was splendid,” said Carter. “I was touched by his views and attitude toward a purposeful life. He is a living example that it is possible to be successful and charitable. I left our meeting with Dr. Raja feeling very refreshed and hopeful for the things I wish to accomplish in my lifetime.”

Raja’s visit not only served students; he said it was meaningful to him as well.

“If I can serve others and help them in their goals, it serves me, too,” said Raja.

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