Department of Computer Science 50th Anniversary

The Department of Computer Science at Illinois Institute of Technology is celebrating 50 years of scientific research, tech innovation, and education of new generations of computer scientists. The celebration will include a panel discussion among esteemed computer scientists about the fast-moving evolution of the field, as well as a look back on the department's accomplishments and a vision for its future. 

Martha Evens Lecture Series

The program of events includes the inaugural Martha Evens Distinguished Lecture, honoring computer science professor emerita Martha Evens, as well as a tribute to her contributions to the field and dedicated mentorship. The keynote speaker will be Ruzena Bajcsy, the NEC Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley.

Program of Events

Event in Hermann Hall Ballroom

3241 S Federal Street

8:30am - Breakfast with Student Poster Presentations

9:30am - Welcome and Introduction

Raj Echambadi, President, Illinois Tech

Chris Gladwin, Trustee

Victor Tsao (MS '81), Miven Venture Partners

Judson Althoff (BS '95), EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, Microsoft

James Vandendorpe (PhD '68), Lucent

Shlomo Argamon, Chair, Department of Computer Science

Lance Fortnow, Dean, College of Computing

10:15am - Coffee break

10:30am - 50th Anniversary Lecture

The Department of Computer Science, Past and Future

Shlomo Argamon, Chair, Department of Computer Science

11:15am - Group photo

11:30am - Lunch

Recognition of Alumni

Martha Evens Tribute

12:40pm - Martha Evens Distinguished Lecture

Introduction to the Martha Evens Distinguished Lecture Series - Frank F. Naeymi-Rad, Ph.D. 1990

The inaugural Martha Evens Lecturer will be Ruzena Bajcsy, NEC Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, who will speak on "Anticipating and Predicting Behavior".

2:00pm - Panel: Computer Science in a Time of Transformation

Moderator: Larry Birnbaum (Northwestern University)

Panelists:

Eric Burger (Georgetown University)

Mar Hicks (Illinois Institute of Technology)

Bing Liu (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Plamen Petrov (CTO, Hydrogen Health)

Heather Zheng (University of Chicago)

3:30 - 4:30pm - Campus Tour

4:00 - 5:30pm - Reception

Join us on Thursday October 14, to celebrate our first 50 years, and begin the adventure of the next as we continue to build the future!

Note: Face coverings will be required. Even if you are fully vaccinated, all students, staff, faculty, and guests must wear a face covering indoors. The university will review and revise the mask protocol as appropriate given changes to state and city public-health guidelines.

Share a video or kind words for Martha by uploading them (or drag and drop content) here.  Whether a video (30 seconds) or written words (no limit), please state your name, program(s), class year(s). Tell Martha what you are doing now and how she influenced your life and career. We will share your thoughts with Martha and possibly air your comments at the event. If you have questions, or do not want your comments publicly aired, please contact Scott Pfeiffer. 

Contribute to the Martha Evens Lecture Fund to ensure we can bring you high-level speakers in the future. You may make a contribution via credit card. (From the drop-down menu, choose “Other” and write in the Martha Evens Fund.)  You may also send a check payable to Illinois Institute of Technology. Please write Martha Evens Fund in the memo section of your check and mail it to:

Illinois Tech Advancement

765 Solution Center

Chicago, IL 60677-7005

Attention: Martha Evens Fund  

Contribute

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