Hank Levy, Paul Allen, and Ed Lazowska
Dear Friends of CSE,
A few minutes ago – in an extraordinary launch to our 50th Anniversary year – the University of Washington Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. The elevation of UW CSE’s status from a department to a school signifies our increasing prominence on the campus, in the region, and around the world. Becoming a school also positions us to have even greater impact through our leadership in computer science education and research, supported by a new $50 million endowment established by Paul Allen in support of our school (including a contribution from Microsoft in his honor).
The establishment of the Allen School recognizes Paul Allen’s many contributions to science and society, and honors his lifelong friendship and generosity to CSE and the University. It also honors our shared vision of the role of scientific discovery and innovation in the quest for solutions to humankind’s greatest challenges. This is the second time Paul has made a gift that promises to change the trajectory of our program. Since he opened the doors to the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering, CSE has emerged as one of the pre-eminent computer science programs in the nation and generated game-changing innovations in mobile health, sustainability, global development, neural engineering, synthetic biology, machine learning, and more.
As the Paul G. Allen School, we will enjoy more autonomy and flexibility, as well as a higher profile within the computing community. We will also be more nimble when it comes to setting new directions in our research, generating new approaches to education and outreach, and recruiting the very best faculty and students. But even more importantly, becoming the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering associates us, in perpetuity, with an internationally revered innovator and visionary who has left an indelible mark on science, on technology, on the Pacific Northwest, and on the world. The aspirational value of this gift is incalculable, and it will inspire us to reach higher every day.
Warm regards,
Hank Levy
Director and Wissner-Slivka Chair
Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
University of Washington