CSC eNewsletter

Welcome to the online edition of CSC eNews, a monthly electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of the Department of Computer Science at NC State University.

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February 28, 2006

Corporate Demand for Object-Oriented Design Training Increasing

When international telecommunications giant, Tekelec, shifted its software development practices to increase the focus on object-oriented design (OOD), they were immediately confronted with the need to provide their employees skill development and refresher training. Relying on their strong connections as a Super ePartner, they quickly found a solution through their collaborative relationship with the NC State department of computer science.

The solution - Dr. Ed Gehringer, associate professor of computer science at NC State and an OOD expert, collaborated with company resources to deliver an 11-week OOD class at Tekelec's RTP headquarters last fall.

According to Gehringer, industry interest in OOD has grown significantly in the past few years, evidenced by the enrollment of more Engineering Online students than classroom students in his master's level OOD course. Local companies interested in setting up an object-oriented design course for their employees are encouraged to contact Gehringer directly. more

Departmental Research Grants, Gifts, and Support

Microsoft has awarded a $5,000 unrestricted gift to Dr. Laurie Williams in support of her proposal entitled: CSEE&T Sponsorship.

The Raleigh Chapter of Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) has made a multi-year pledge of $25,000 to establish the Charles W. Kelly / Raleigh ISSA Scholarship Endowment, which will support a junior or senior with a demonstrated interest in working in the field of computer security. The endowment is named to honor the founder of the Raleigh ISSA chapter, Charles W. Kelly. The chapter recently presented the department with a check for $6,000, of which $5,000 will go toward the endowment funds and $1,000 will be distributed to a qualifying student this year.

EMC has renewed its commitment as a Super ePartner by providing the department an unrestricted contribution of $25,000. As a founding member of the ePartners Program, we greatly appreciate EMC's ongoing support.

ABB has awarded an $8,000 unrestricted Research Gift to Dr. Tao Xie.

Congratulations to Dr. Steffen Heber, whose proposal titled "Alternative Splicing and Proteome Diversity" has been funded for $6,000 by the NCSU Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund. The award will run from January 1st, 2006 through December 31st, 2006.

Congratulations to Dr. Tao Xie, whose proposal titled "A Framework and Tool Supports for Automoatic Generation and Selection of Component Integration" has been funded for $6,000 by the NCSU Faculty Research and Professional Development Fund. The award will run from January 1st, 2006 through December 31st, 2006.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has provided funding for Design Tech, an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site on the NC State University campus. The $268,000 grant will support 10 undergraduate students during a 12-week research program to be held each summer for three years. A joint project of the Department of Computer Science and the College of Design at NC State University, Design Tech is an interactive visual design hothouse that will conduct research that combines computer science and design. Dr. Ben Watson, associate professor of computer science, is the principal investigator for the project and will serve as director of Design Tech. more

Smith & Breaux Win Prestigious IBM Ph.D. Fellowships

Congratulations to CSC graduate students Sarah Smith and Travis Breaux, each of whom were recently awarded the prestigious 2006 IBM Ph.D. Fellowship Award. These are highly competitive awards, with over 500 students world-wide being nominated this year. Fellows are awarded tuition, fees, and a stipend of $17,500 (US) for one academic year. All IBM Ph.D. Fellows are matched with an IBM Mentor according to their technical interests, and they are encouraged to intern at an IBM research or development laboratory under their Mentor's guidance. An IBM ThinkPad is awarded during the internship. Special thanks go to their sponsors, Drs. Laurie Williams and Annie Antón, respectively, for their assistance. And thanks to IBM for their continued support of our department and our students.

Park Scholars Finalists Include Three with CSC Interests

NC State University recently named 112 students as finalists for the 11th class of Park Scholars. These prestigious awards are valued at about $57,000 for North Carolina residents and $106,000 for out-of-state students. The Park Foundation has committed $3.5 million to be awarded to 50 of these outstanding students by March 1. The remaining finalists will receive the Provost's Academic Award, a $10,000 scholarship. Three finalists indicated a desire to major in computer science. more

Microsoft Campus Connection Event Comes to NCSU - March 1st

We are delighted to announce that Microsoft has selected NC State as a host campus for their Microsoft Campus Connection event. This engaging 3-hour session will be offered on March 1st, from 6 to 9 pm in Room 136 in the Monteith Research Center (formally the EGRC) on Centennial Campus. Knowledgeable Microsoft representatives will be on hand to lead discussions on three key topics:

• General Session - (All Students Welcome) "Microsoft Windows Vista and Office 12, what's the future going to look like?"
• IT Professional Session - (For Future IT Pros) "Enrich your IT Toolbox with Microsoft Technical Resources"
• Developer Session - (For Future Developers) "Visual Web Developer Express"
  

ePartners Career Connection Event a Huge Success

Eight companies and more than 250 students participated in the department's 5th annual ePartners Career Connection event.

The highly popular event is offered annually as an exclusive recruiting and networking event just for our ePartner companies.

Traditionally held in the fall, this year's event was delayed to the spring in order that it could be held in EB2, the new home of the department of computer science located on Centennial Campus. more

New Innovation in Technology Course Approved

CSC 485, Innovating in Technology, has been approved by the University Curriculum Committee. The course will focus on the importance of innovation to the success of the technical individual, State, and Nation. To maintain or improve our standard of living in a global economy, it is essential that we create and produce the best products, processes, and services. Much of our culture and education today discourages innovation, e.g., the maxim never make a mistake. After studying the many techniques for innovating, the students will apply them in a team project of their choosing. During the dot-com era, there were many entrepreneurs, but few innovators. The factors influencing success will be stressed. Students from all curricula will be encouraged to enroll in the course because breadth of knowledge is often key to innovating. Dr. Alan L. Tharp will offer the course in the spring of 2007.

"Pathway to the Future" Campaign Update

Phase I of our "Pathway to the Future" brick campaign is complete and we are happy to report that to date, over 250 bricks have been purchased by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of CSC and ECE, generating almost $38,000 in support for the two departments. Phase I orders should be installed in time for the EBII dedication event on April 28th.

If you would still like to order a brick, you can still do so. Brick orders will be accepted on an ongoing basis, and will be installed when there are sufficient quantities. These commemorative bricks require a donation of $150, and can be ordered through this printable online order form.

CSC Faculty / Staff News

Dr. Michael Young, assistant professor of computer science, visited Capitol Hill on February 7th, meeting with staff from the offices of Senator Elizabeth Dole and Representative Brad Miller. Along with colleague Dr. Len Annetta from the NCSU College of Education, Young briefed the staffers on the HI-FIVES project, which leverages the power of computer games in middle and high school curricula to engage students in science and mathematics. The project is a joint effort between the department and NCSU's College of Education, the Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications unit (DELTA), the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science, and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Young was in DC to attend the National Science Foundation's Summit on Information Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST), the program that funds HI-FIVES along with 50 other projects nationwide.

With mixed emotions, we announce that main office receptionist, Charlene Lassiter, has taken a new and expanded role with NC State at the McKimmon Center. Our loss is their gain, and we wish her the very best in her new position. As Charlene's replacement, we welcome Jenny Lynn Andrews as our new receptionist. She will be located in the main CSC Administrative Office at 3320 EBII, and she can be reached at 919-515-2858.

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