From the Duke News Service

May 10, 2001

Duke University's Department of Computer Science Thursday officially opened a new computer lab equipped and funded by Microsoft University Relations, a division of Microsoft Research. Microsoft University Relations' gift of cash, equipment and software for the fully equipped teaching lab has a total value of $1,208,779. The gift also funded related curriculum development and faculty needs, five public computing kiosks, as well as instruction in techniques and technologies required by wireless information systems.

"Duke must provide a computer science curriculum that enables our students, and the faculty who work with them, to keep pace with advances in both software and hardware technologies," Duke President Nannerl O. Keohane said in announcing the donation. "This generous gift exemplifies the Duke-Microsoft relationship and helps ensure that our students and faculty will have access to the latest educational resources. We are very grateful."

The new facility, which has been in use during part of the current academic year, was officially opened by Keohane; John Spencer, university relations program manager in Microsoft Research's Redmond, Wash., office; and Professor Jeffery Vitner, chair of the computer science department chair.

The teaching lab, on the second floor of the Levine Science Research Center, accommodates 18 students, each with access to a Windows-based Dell work station. The lab also has a 50-inch flat panel display for instruction. Also donated were 250 copies of Windows 2000 and a variety of software programs, a technical library, and Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Professional subscriptions for each faculty member.

Wireless computer instruction is led by faculty members Owen Astrachan, Carla Ellis and Amin Vahdat. They will use the new lab in integrating wireless technology into a range of courses. All of the teaching lab's work stations and the public kiosks are networked via wireless technology, which is used extensively in Duke's computer science department.

"Microsoft University Relations' gift is consistent with our long-term commitment to higher education," Spencer said. "Our relationship with Duke is intended to help develop and support a community of faculty and students that shares information, ideas and technology."

Microsoft University Relations is dedicated to building relationships with colleges and universities that enhance the teaching and learning experience, inspire technological innovation and establish Microsoft as a leading technology partner for higher education.

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