June 2015 [.Pdf]

CMU’S NEWS SOURCE FOR FACULTY & STAFF 6/15 ISSUE cmu.edu/piper CMU Stars on Broadway’s Biggest Night H IGH - P OWERE D ALUMNI GATHER FOR A GROU P P HOTO WITH P RESI D ENT S URESH ( CENTER ) IN THE B ACCARAT H OTEL D URING T ONYS WEEKEN D . P ICTURE D ARE ( L - R ) T AMARA T UNIE , J U D ITH L IGHT , P AULA W AGNER AN D G LEN D E V RIES . C OREY M ITCHELL ( TO P RIGHT ) WAS THE RECI P IENT OF THE INAUGURAL E XCELLENCE IN T HEATRE E D UCATION A WAR D . A LUMNUS C HRISTIAN B ORLE ( B OTTOM RIGHT ) WON THE T ONY FOR B EST P ERFORMANCE B Y A F EATURE D A CTOR IN A M USICAL . PHOTO BY KEN ANDREYO n Pam Wigley The stars came out on Broadway for the 69th Annual Tony Awards, but none $31M Gift — Fifth Largest in CMU History — shined as brightly as Carnegie Mellon. From the red carpet strolled by Creates Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship President and Mrs. Suresh, the CBS n Ken Walters telecast viewed by millions, to events with work beginning on the David A. generous benefactors in the university’s Tepper Quadrangle, the university’s history. throughout the weekend, university CMU alumnus James R. Swartz major new academic hub, CMU is poised “This investment will benefit the leaders and high-powered alumni (MSIA’66), a distinguished entrepre- to catalyze a new innovation corridor entire Carnegie Mellon University com- represented CMU well as the first neur and founding partner of the global with global impact in research, invention munity,” said President Subra Suresh. exclusive higher education partner venture capital firm Accel Partners, has and commercialization. “We are grateful to Jim and Susan for of the Tony Awards. donated $31 million to support the uni- Along with his wife, Susan, Swartz their generous gift, and for their vision, One such high-powered alum, versity’s entrepreneurship activities. has been a generous and deeply com- time and commitment to building on the Joe Manganiello (A’04), recognized the In recognition of this generous gift, mitted supporter of the university. Their unique strengths of CMU. the university will create the Swartz winner of the first Excellence in Theatre latest gift, the fifth largest in university “As one of the most successful Education Award created by CMU and Center for Entrepreneurship, which history, places them among the most C ONTINUE D ON P AGE THREE will serve as a hub for university-wide C ONTINUE D ON P AGE TEN entrepreneurial activities. The investment comes as the univer- E NTR E PR E N E URS R U S 2 sity builds considerable momentum as a 4 D E CISIONS T HAT M ATT E R leader in innovation, artistic creativity, learning technologies and transforma- 5 Y E AR IN R E VI E W tional discoveries at the crossroads of 9 M E AN de RING M ATT E RS different academic fields and disciplines. Startup activity among the universi- 1 1 “M R . E V E RY THING ” R E TIR E S ty’s faculty, students and alumni has been 12 C O mme NC eme NT H IGHLIGHTS robust, with more than 138 companies created since 2009. And O NE Mother and Daughter To Embark on Haiti Adventure n Kelly Saavedra When Lily Marty decided to accept admission to CMU for this fall, her mother wanted to celebrate in a memorable way. So, they’re taking a trip to Haiti. “I’m so excited for all that awaits her during this next phase of her life, but I will miss her terribly when she goes to college — even though it’s only about a mile from my house,” said Cari Marty, Lily’s mother and director of finance at the university’s Entertainment Technology Center. Friends has amassed a diverse and The two had talked of traveling to vibrant collection of Haitian artwork. Haiti for a few years, and this year plans Working directly with Haitian artists, the are falling into place for them to embark program supports the creative economy on a tour of the Artibonite region of of Haiti, especially in the Artibonite the country, led by Edward Rawson, a Valley, offering support for Artibonite Pittsburgher and grandchild of Larry artists and initiating community arts and Gwen Mellon who opened Hôpital initiatives in Haiti. Albert Schweitzer in Haiti in 1956. In the U.S., the Haiti Friends art The trip, scheduled for June 26 collection is made available for sale and through July 3, is centered on the is available for traveling educational two-millionth tree that will be planted I NCOMING FRESHMAN L ILY M ARTY ( LEFT ) AN D HER MOTHER , C ARY , WHO WORKS exhibitions. through a program organized by Haiti AT THE ETC , WILL B E TRAVELING TO H AITI , WHERE THEY WILL P ARTICI P ATE IN “Art is a means of bringing Haiti Friends. Rawson is executive director THE TWO - MILLIONTH TREE B EING P LANTE D THROUGH A P ROGRAM ORGANIZE D B Y to the rest of the world, sharing Haiti’s of the local nonprofit, which has an THE LOCAL NON P ROFIT H AITI F RIEN D S . B EE S CHIN D LER ( TO P RIGHT ) IS D E P UTY energy and creativity, while also art gallery in the Point Breeze area of D IRECTOR OF H AITI F RIEN D S . the complex problems of a troubled Pittsburgh. country,” Schindler said. “Through “The planting of trees retains soil ceremony as well as go on an art-buying be extremely meaningful and — art and education, we hope to build and promotes the growth of food crops adventure in Petite Riviere, where they I anticipate — life-changing for both understanding and support.” and agriculture in the mountain areas will seek out opportunities to connect of us on a shared and deeply personal The gallery is open from 9 a.m. of the country,” said Bee Schindler, Pittsburgh to Haiti. level,” Marty said. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and deputy director of Haiti Friends. “The The Martys have been following Since it’s founding in 1985, Haiti on Saturday by appointment. economic impact of the tree-planting the humanitarian efforts of Haiti Friends program on Haitian families has been on social media for years. life-changing.” “I have always felt very impas- Mother and daughter will partake sioned about the plight of humans and Entrepreneurs R Us in the two-millionth tree planting societies all over the world that aren’t as privileged as we are in America,” n Piper Staff Cari Marty said. “If you asked my kids, ing Acrobatiq, Digital Dream Labs and they would tell you I’ve said many LaunchCMU Returns Simcoach Games, pitched their compa- times that I would love to become a to Silicon Valley nies, demonstrating problem-solving and missionary in another country after they value creation for customers. For three consecutive years, venture Simcoach Games, for example, have all grown.” capitalists, angel investors and Carn- PIPER She added, “The more I have read have enabled users to achieve sustain- 6/15 Issue egie Mellon alumni entrepreneurs have and learned about Haiti through Haiti able behavior change in industries from P UBLISHER assembled at LaunchCMU, a showcase Ken Walters Friends, and particularly since the health care to manufacturing to retail, for technology startups, innovations earthquake, I have come to understand while Acrobatiq is made up of educators, E DI to R M ANAGING E DI to R and trailblazing research. The program Bruce Gerson Kelly Saavedra how much in need of humanitarian engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs returned to Silicon Valley in May, with W RI T ERS assistance this impoverished country focused on improving learning outcomes Bruce Gerson the theme “The Business of Learning.” is, while I also feel a sense of awe at by converging learning science, data and Shilo Rea “The Business of Learning” show- Kelly Saavedra the spirit and resilience of the Haitian technology. cased transformative efforts in improv- Ken Walters people. I feel very fortunate to have the Digital Dream Labs mixes nostal- Pam Wigley ing education, including initiatives in opportunity to see and experience this gia with the technology children love. technology-enhanced learning. Events firsthand, especially with my daughter.” The company’s philosophy starts with D ESIGN & P H oto GRA P HY included demonstrations of new prod- Digital & Creative Services They plan to use what they learn fun first and enriches logic, sequencing ucts and services at the Demo & Poster To contact The Piper staff, call 412-268-2900 on their summer adventure to further and fine-motor skills through physical Session and showcased talks by found- or email [email protected]. their involvement with Haiti Friends interaction and gameplay. ers of successful startup companies and Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in and expand awareness of the Haitian These and other startups were admission, employment, or administration of its programs Carnegie Mellon faculty members. or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, people’s plight. joined by CMU faculty members Emma sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender “LaunchCMU provides an exclu- identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or “This trip is particularly special Brunskill, assistant professor of comput- genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University sive opportunity for the startup compa- does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in to me as Lily embarks on her college er science, and Vincent Aleven, associ- violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

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