Carnegie Mellon University

A Celebration 50 Years in the Making

In 1967, two institutions founded by visionaries — Carnegie Institute of Technology and Mellon Institute — came together to form Carnegie Mellon University.

That merger is where we came from. But the real story is everything that came after — and everyone who has followed in our founders’ footsteps to become leaders with their own initiatives, creations and ideas.

This year, we honor the foundation that made us who we are today. We pay tribute to the innovations and innovators who have transformed education, our society and our world. We empower our students, alumni, faculty and staff, whose ingenuity will impact our daily lives in ways we cannot yet imagine.

This year, we celebrate the founder in all of us.

Anniversary Weekend at Homecoming 2017

November 10-11, 2017

CMU celebrated an era of inventive spirit with a weekend of inspiring events.

Check out photos from the 50th Anniversary Weekend

We are the founders.
These are our stories.

From breakthroughs that built institutions to an untold future of revolutionary ideas, these are the people who change the fabric of society.

A storied past of thinking ahead

Explore some of the innovations by the people of Carnegie Mellon during the last five decades.

This timeline represents just a fraction of the thousands of revolutionary CMU milestones. What would you add? Send your personal or CMU milestone to 50@andrew.cmu.edu. Your submission may be included in future updates to the 50th Anniversary website.

Featured events

Robot playing Go Fish in the Exposition

Founders
Exposition

View photos from the event

This extraordinary interactive demonstration and exhibit engaged minds and inspired souls with innovations from the last 50 years (and looking forward to the next 50) that have changed the world as we know it.

Convocation Dramatic Reading

Founders Convocation and Keynote Address

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Interim President Farnam Jahanian and the Carnegie Mellon University Board of Trustees welcomed keynote presenter and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman and other special guests for a celebration of the founders who shaped CMU into what it is today as well as those who will advance its legacy.

CMU Tartan Football Game Cheerleader

Homecoming Tailgate & Football Game

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Alumni, students and friends elebrated Homecoming with a tailgate lunch and games plus family activities, a photobooth and the KidZone, through halftime as the Tartans took on the Case Western Reserve Spartans.