February 21, 2008
Vol. 18, No. 29
In this issue:
Hillman Foundation Gives $10 Million for New SCS Research Building
The Henry L. Hillman Foundation has given Carnegie Mellon a gift of $10 million for a research building in the university's new computer science complex. The Hillman Center for Future-Generation Technologies, one of two structures in the 200,000-square-foot complex that also includes the Gates Center for Computer Science, will face Forbes Avenue and serve as the main entrance to the university's world-renowned School of Computer Science (SCS).
"This magnificent gift exemplifies Henry Hillman's personal and lifelong interest in science and technology," said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon. "Some of the most important and forward-looking research at the university — and in the world — is going to take place in this building. I cannot think of a better way for the university to be partnering with Henry at this moment in our history than in enabling critical new breakthroughs in computer science."
"We are very fortunate to have an institution like Carnegie Mellon University, with its record of world-changing advancements in computer science, artificial intelligence and robotics and the many talented minds it attracts to Pittsburgh," said Henry Hillman. "Research and technology developed at Carnegie Mellon that at one time seemed like science fiction have created essential everyday tools for business, medicine and countless other applications that we now almost take for granted. Our hope is that the Center for Future-Generation Technologies will seed new efforts to continue and accelerate this cycle of innovation and progress."
For more: http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb20_hillmangift.shtml
Dzombak Elected to Elite National Academy of Engineering
David Dzombak, the Walter J. Blenko Sr. Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional distinctions an engineer can achieve, for his novel development of models used in evaluating chemical behavior in water quality engineering and environmental remediation. For more than two decades, Dzombak has conducted leading research in the areas of aquatic chemistry, water and wastewater treatment, abandoned mine drainage remediation, river and watershed restoration and hazardous waste site remediation.
"Dave has been a leader in fostering multidisciplinary research and educating tomorrow's leaders," said
Pradeep K. Khosla, dean of the College of Engineering and a 2006 NAE inductee. "This outstanding recognition is a tribute to the pioneering and innovative leadership Dave brings to this college."
For more:
http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb18_dzombakNAE.shtml
ETC Technology Helps To Answer Fans Questions About NASCAR
Thanks to "synthetic interview" technology developed by
Scott Stevens and
Michael Christel and a team of graduate students at the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), NASCAR racing fans can get their questions answered by experts on FOX Sports.com on MSN (
http://msn.foxsports.com/askthepros) as if they were conducting live interviews. "NASCAR on FOX" racing analysts
Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds and
Jeff Hammond will answer each question submitted with a video response, much as they would if engaged in a face-to-face conversation.
The synthetic interview system matches each question with hundreds of responses pre-recorded by the analysts and replays them.
"The students have been able to participate in the development of cutting-edge, real-world entertainment working along side of the outstanding professionals at FOX Sports and FOXSports.com. We're eager to see how the large television audience responds to the technologies that are coming out of Carnegie Mellon," said Stevens, faculty advisor of the "Ask the Pros" ETC team.
For more:
http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb18_etcnascar.shtml
Syrian Ambassador Speaks on Campus Monday, Feb. 25
Syrian Ambassador to the United States
Imad Moustapha will speak at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25 in McConomy Auditorium, University Center (UC). His talk, "U.S., Syria and The New Old Middle East: Confrontation or Cooperation?" is co-sponsored by the Arab Student Organization and is free of charge. A versatile writer and avid blogger (
http://imad_moustapha.blogs.com), Moustapha has covered a variety of subjects in English and Arabic, ranging from the politics of Washington and U.S. policies, to fine arts, literature and music. He is the author and co-author of several books, including "The Echoes of Orpheus," "Concurrent Engineering" and "Creativity out from the Windows of Hell." Most notably, he co-authored the Human Development Report in the Arab World (2003), sponsored by the United Nations.
For more:
http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb18_syrianambassador.shtml
News Briefs
- Bill Gates' 4 p.m. lecture at Carnegie Mellon today (Feb. 21) will be available on Carnegie Mellon's multimedia Web page, http://www.cmu.edu/multimedia/, this Saturday, Feb. 23.
- Construction equipment-maker Caterpillar Inc. has opened an automation center at Washington's Landing in Pittsburgh as part of a three-year, collaborative research agreement with Carnegie Mellon. Initial projects involve research at the National Robotics Engineering Center. Caterpillar has sponsored major projects at Carnegie Mellon, including the school's entries in the two DARPA grand challenges.
Personal Mention
- John ("Jack") Thorne, the David T. and Lindsay J. Morgenthaler Emeritus Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Tepper School of Business, died Feb.13 while vacationing in the Cayman Islands. He was 81. Thorne was an internationally known entrepreneur and renowned fundraiser who helped create companies, academic programs, non-profit organizations and a church. He began one of the world's first university-level courses in entrepreneurship in 1972 at Carnegie Mellon, where he later was the founding director of the Donald H. Jones Center for Entrepreneurship at the business school in 1990. He taught at the school through 2005. For more: http://tepper.cmu.edu/news-multimedia/news/news-detail/index.aspx?nid=334
- Linda Argote, the Carnegie Bosch Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory, recently presented a portion of the National Science Foundation's budget to Congress. Argote represented the social, behavioral and economic sciences in the NSF budget rollout to Congress in the Feb. 4 presentation. Her presentation was titled "How Do Organizations Learn? Keys to Competing in a Knowledge-based World."
- Mechanical Engineering Department Head Nadine Aubry has been awarded the distinction of fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for her outstanding contributions to the field of fluid dynamics, particularly turbulence and micro flows, and as a leader in mechanical engineering education. For more: http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb15_aubryfellow.shtml
- Astria Suparak, a curator known for her efforts to highlight emerging and international artists, has been named the new director of the Regina Gouger Miller Gallery, effective March 1. Suparak, who succeeds interim director Petra Fallaux, comes to Carnegie Mellon from Syracuse University's Warehouse Gallery. For more: http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb15_suparakrgm.shtml
Calendar Highlights
- Tuesday, Feb. 26: Michael Shuman, author of the "Small-Mart Revolution," will discuss "Saving the World by Eating Locally: The Small Mart Revolution." 5 p.m., Rangos 3, UC.
- Thursday, Feb. 28: Accomplished playwright, author and journalist Jabari Asim will speak in honor of Black History Month. 5 p.m., McConomy Auditorium, UC. For more: http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb18_asimtalk.shtml
- Thursday, Feb. 28: The University Lecture Series presents "Spirits, Sex and Wealth: Fox Lore and Fox Worship in China," by Xiaofei Kang, Carnegie Mellon assistant professor of Chinese. 4:30 p.m., Adamson Wing, Baker Hall 136A.
- Thursday, Feb. 28: Carnegie Mellon in the Community. Learn how students, faculty and staff share their talents and skills. 2 - 6 p.m., Rangos Hall, UC. For more: http://www.cmu.edu/gelfand-center
- Through March 1: The School of Drama presents August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson." Tickets are $22-$25. For show times and tickets, call the box office at 412-268-2407. For more: http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/February/feb11_thepianolesson.shtml
- For more news and events, visit http://my.cmu.edu/site/events/
