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Text appears University of Massachusetts Amherst Be Revolutionary Logo.
LAURA HAAS, PHD, DEAN, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST, ROBERT AND DONNA MANNING COLLEGE OF INFORMATION AND COMPUTER SCIENCE.
Greetings. I am excited to share with you my gratitude for two transformational investments in the College of Information and Computer Sciences. An $18 million gift from Robert and Donna Manning will create an endowment to support the college in perpetuity, as we become the Robert and Donna Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences. This generous contribution supports our college's vision for computing research and education, computing for the common good. It will provide financial support and academic enrichment to our students, while allowing us to make new investments in faculty excellence to further our position as a revolutionary force in the field. It will enable us to offer scholarships, bridge programs, and peer mentoring to increase access to our programs and foster a diverse workforce.
Logo text appears UMass Amherst: Robert and Donna Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences. Montage of students walking around on campus, learning together in common areas.
LAURA HAAS, PHD
I'm proud of all that we've accomplished together in the last five years. We've grown tremendously, which is why I am also delighted to share a large state grant for capital improvements from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Governor Baker's support will provide new labs and space to grow our enrollment to meet the demands of our talented students. Combined, this funding will allow us to continue our college's amazing trajectory from a small research center to a top-ranked college with more than 2,400 students today. It will provide the space and the funding to advance important areas like AI and quantum computing, to pioneer new fields, such as public interest technology, and to solve new challenges in health care, sustainability, cybersecurity, and more. We appreciate the support that Massachusetts leadership, helmed by Governor Charlie Baker, and generous donors like the Mannings have shown for our students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Together, we will realize our vision for computing that improves the lives of the people of the Commonwealth and the world. I look forward to celebrating our new name and a new era for our college with you all.
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