February 22, 2018
Dear Members of the CMU Community:
I am very proud to let you know about an extraordinary $15 million gift from CMU alumnus and trustee Keith Block, and his wife, Suzanne Kelley, to establish the Block Center for Technology and Society in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. The Block Center will be dedicated to the investigation of the economic, organizational and public policy impacts of new and emerging technologies and their deployment in society, and it will develop innovative policy recommendations to help ensure the benefits of technological change are more widely shared.
Supporting research and education at the intersection of technology and humanity is a strategic priority for Carnegie Mellon, cutting across several of CMU’s colleges and schools. The Block Center will allow for a deeper connection between the many CMU programs focused on exploring the impact of technology on the human condition, bringing together thought leaders from across campus and around the world to tackle complex issues such as the future of work. We expect this priority to feature prominently in our branding, marketing, and fundraising efforts well into the future.
Keith is the vice chairman, president and COO of Salesforce, and serves on its board of directors. He leads the company’s day-to-day operations, including its rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar global sales and services business, alliances and channels, industry strategy, corporate development, corporate affairs, marketing and business operations. A member of the Board of Trustees since 2014, Keith is also a long-serving member of the Heinz College Dean’s Advisory Board and has worked closely with Dean Ramayya Krishnan to enhance the standing of the Heinz College.
Please join me in congratulating Keith and Suzanne, as well as Dean Krishnan and the Heinz College, on this wonderful gift.
Sincerely,
Farnam Jahanian
Interim President