Fall 2022
From the Department Head
As the new academic year begins, we are grateful to be serving record numbers of students in our programs at both the main campus and in Northern Virginia. It is truly an exciting time in the department, with many opportunities for growth and impact.
Speaking of growth, eight new faculty members joined the department this Fall and we look forward to welcoming at least three more in the Spring. In related news, we are thrilled to be moving into substantial new space in Blacksburg in the Spring, with construction nearing completion on two exciting projects. The first academic building that will anchor Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2024. Planning and hiring for the Innovation Campus will be a primary focus this year and next.
Meanwhile, as you can see in this newsletter, our students and faculty continue to do amazing things! Thank you for your support and engagement as we seek to advance our field and prepare responsible and innovative leaders and citizens for tomorrow.
Cal Ribbens
Department Head
Not many college students have been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2021 and Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21. Ayda Haydarpour earned a spot on both these lists, alongside her peers on the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, for their work on medical-based projects.
The Last Mile Education Fund recently announced it had chosen its 10 undergraduate students to receive a $10,000 fellowship to promote diversity in computing research. Among these 10 students was Virginia Tech’s own Daniel Tolessa, a junior from Reston, Virginia majoring in computer science.
This year's inductees include computer science alumna, Lisa Finneran ('85). Academy members have made sustained contributions in engineering and leadership throughout their accomplished careers.
Merna Khamis and Van Ha Tran Nguyen consider the keynote speaker, Stacy Branham (B.S. '07, Ph.D. '14), to be the most memorable aspect of the convention. Branham, a Virginia Tech alum and former president of the Association of Women in Computing at Virginia Tech, gave a speech titled “Hello World! I Have a Disability.”
“Our work presents a new artificial intelligence fairness technique to correct prediction errors,” said Wenjia Song, a fourth-year Ph.D. student whose research areas include machine learning in digital health and cybersecurity.
More Faculty News
- Celebrating the 2022 Engineering Dean's Awards of Excellence
- Bill McQuain retires after 27 years of teaching
- Eight faculty members join the department this fall
- Celebrating the Legacy and Lessons of Roxanne Paul
- Professor has three papers accepted at prestigious computer architecture conference
- Graduate students and faculty receive outstanding paper awards for extreme computing research
Mark your calendar...
Hokie Hike 2022
Oct. 15 - Nov. 27
Hike anywhere
Register to receive Hokie gear
Each year, thousands of Hokies have joined the fun completing hikes all over the world. Celebrate the great outdoors and the Hokie spirit with us!Hokie Travel Series
Thursday, Oct. 20, from 7-8 p.m.
Register to receive the Zoom link
The world has reopened, making it possible to explore other cultures, experience nature on a global scale, and reconnect with loved ones no matter where they live. But the world has also changed. To get ready for any major journey, it’s important to understand the new dynamics of travel today. Prepare yourself by attending our Hokie Travel Series.D.C. Young Alumni Happy Hour
Friday, Oct. 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Salazar
Register to attend
Start your weekend off right while hanging out with other local young alumni.- Cornerstone Lunch with the College of Engineering
Tuesday, Oct. 25, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Register to attend
Join us in Richmond for lunch to celebrate Cornerstone Alumni and learn more about the College of Engineering. David Knight, special assistant to the dean, will talk about how the college focuses its work for greatest impact.
- Lunch with Cornerstone Alumni at the Innovation Campus
Thursday, Oct. 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Innovation Campus
Register to Attend
Join Cornerstone Alumni for lunch and learn how the Innovation Campus is committed to inspiring young people to pursue their interests in STEM education. Pamela Gilchrist, director of the K-12 program, will be presenting.
N.C. State Tailgate
Thursday, Oct. 27, from 3-6:30 p.m.
North Terrace of PNC Arena
Register to attend
Join fellow Hokies for a tailgate at PNC Arena in Raleigh before Virginia Tech takes on N.C. State. Special guests from the Hokie podcast Sons of Saturday will join us to tailgate and will be giving away some special swag.
Virtual Opportunities
- Join the CS alumni community through our Facebook group!
- Nominate Alumni: Alumni of the Department of Computer Science are eligible for department and college awards. You're invited to nominate yourself and/or fellow alumni by filling out this form.
Gifts Help Our Students Learn
- To make the most immediate and flexible impact on students, as well as the department's growth and excellence, make a gift to the Computer Science Department Annual Fund.
- The newly created Barbara Ryder Excellence Fund focuses specifically on supporting diversity and inclusion in the Department of Computer Science. Make a gift to the Barbara G. Ryder Fund for Excellence in Computer Science.
- Endowed scholarships help support outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in Computer Science:
- Give to the CS Investment in Excellence fund to support undergraduates in computer science
- Give to the Terry Arthur Scholarship fund to support undergraduates in computer science
- Give to the Dennis G. Kafura Graduate Fellowship fund to support PhD students in CS
- Give to the Richard E. Nance Graduate Fellowship fund to support PhD students in CS
Keep in Touch
We love to hear from our Computer Science alumni! Contact us for more ways to get involved with the department.
To better stay connected with the department, visit our website to find our social media handles, learn about alumni groups to join, and to update your information.