Android co-founder Rich Miner 鈥�86, 鈥�89, 鈥�97 at Google corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Here, he is shown with the Android 鈥淥reo鈥� robot, which represents the version of the Android mobile operating system that was released in 2017.
06/02/2022
Media Contacts: Emily Gowdey-Backus: 978-934-3369 or Emily_GowdeyBackus@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco: 978-934-4944 or Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu
51视频 will launch a new school of computer science to be named in honor of distinguished alumnus Rich Miner, co-founder of Android, the company and mobile operating system which was acquired and launched by Google.聽聽
University leadership had approached Miner, believing his story and accomplishments would contribute to the vision they had for the new school. Today, the UMass Board of Trustees approved establishing the Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences at 51视频 through a $5 million donation from Miner as well as a $2 million matching contribution from the state.聽 聽
鈥�51视频鈥檚 newly named Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences further elevates a program well known for transformative education and pioneering research in the field,鈥� said 51视频 Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. 鈥淲e are profoundly indebted to Rich. His latest gift reflects his ongoing generous donation of his time, expertise and resources to support students through entrepreneurial competitions like 51视频鈥檚 DifferenceMaker and prepare them to become leaders in their careers.鈥�
An esteemed history
Miner, who holds three degrees in computer science from 51视频 (B.S. 1986, M.S. 1989, Ph.D. 1997) exemplifies the university鈥檚 longstanding investment in and commitment to preparing students for the ever-evolving industry.
Today, the department, elevated to a school with the trustees鈥� vote, is home to nearly 1,600 undergraduate students and more than 300 graduate students, making it the largest academic program on campus with nearly 6% of the total 51视频 undergraduate population. From fall 2016 to fall 2021, 51视频鈥檚 undergraduate enrollment in computer science programs increased by more than 50%. This year, a record 12% of students in 51视频鈥檚 applicant pool listed computer science as their intended major.聽
51视频 research expenditures in computer science have grown in tandem with enrollment, jumping from $2.7 million in 2016 to $4.4 million in 2021. Faculty are authorities on a vast array of subjects from artificial intelligence, visualization, robotics, natural language processing, data analytics, computer security and privacy, to health informatics and more.聽
Miner co-founded Android, the world鈥檚 most popular operating system with over 3 billion users. After selling Android to Google in 2005 and launching the first few releases, Rich co-founded GV, Google鈥檚 first venture fund. GV has led investments in a number of the past decade鈥檚 most successful startups. In his role with GV, Rich backed some of Massachusetts鈥� top startups including Recorded Future, Toast, Hubspot and Tamr.聽
As a 51视频 undergraduate, Miner wrote computer programs for the Commodore 64, a first-generation gaming system. In his graduate years, his work with the university鈥檚 Center for Productivity Enhancement paved the way for breakthroughs in imagery, video digitization and videoconferencing. In that same university lab, he helped incubate Avid Technology, the world鈥檚 first computer video editing platform. He later went on to co-found Wildfire Communications, the first voice-based personal assistant 鈥� patenting many of the concepts now common in today鈥檚 voice assistants. He credits his 51视频 education as key to his entrepreneurial success and believes his donation will help computer science students see how unlimited their future is as they follow their passion.
鈥�51视频 prepared me academically and entrepreneurially for a career where I was able to contribute to so many impactful innovations. I am honored to be able to give back in ways that might encourage others to meet or exceed their dreams,鈥� Miner said.聽
Miner has returned to 51视频 to share his story and mentor students, including those who participate in the university鈥檚 Rist DifferenceMaker Institute, a program which provides entrepreneurship education and opportunities. In 2012, he established the Professor Patrick D. Krolak Innovation Scholarship. Named for Miner鈥檚 mentor, a former 51视频 computer science faculty member admired for his collaborative approach to research, these scholarships are open to 51视频 computer science students.聽 聽 聽
The next generation
Establishing the school exemplifies 51视频鈥檚 commitment to providing computer science students with the academic coursework, laboratory research, cooperative education, and internship opportunities they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving field.
Housed within the university鈥檚 Kennedy College of Sciences, the Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences offers bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral programs blending applied and theoretical study of computation. The course of study also includes options for minors in robotics, cybersecurity, data science and bio-cheminfomatics. In partnership with the university鈥檚 Division of Graduate, Online and Professional Studies, the school also offers certificates in cybersecurity, systems models and management and telecommunication.
鈥淭he new Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences is designed to provide educational and research opportunities to a diverse body of students and faculty. Together, they will make significant discoveries and innovations that address many of the challenges that our world faces. In an increasingly interconnected world, the school will enlighten our future and reduce our uncertainties. We are grateful to Rich Miner for this opportunity to significantly grow the school,鈥� said Kennedy College of Sciences Dean Noureddine Melikechi, professor of physics.
The university is planning a fall dedication ceremony to honor Miner and the new school.
51视频 is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its students bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. 51视频 delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. www.uml.edu