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Randy Pausch

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Randy Pausch
Dr. Randy Pausch
Born(1960-10-23)October 23, 1960
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
DiedJuly 25, 2008(2008-07-25) (aged 47)
Chesapeake, Virginia
Cause of deathPancreatic cancer
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma materBrown University, Carnegie Mellon University
Known forCreator of Alice software project
co-founder of CMU's Entertainment Technology Center
Virtual Reality Research with Disney Imagineers
Inspirational speeches regarding life
#1 best-selling book
Battle with cancer
AwardsKarl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award
ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education
Award for Outstanding Contributions to Computer Science Education
Time Magazine World's Most Influential People List
Scientific career
FieldsComputer science
InstitutionsCarnegie Mellon University
University of Virginia
Doctoral advisorAlfred Spector

Randolph Frederick Pausch[1] (October 23 1960 – July 25 2008) was an American professor of computer science, human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a best-selling author who achieved worldwide fame for his "The Last Lecture" speech on September 18 2007 at Carnegie Mellon. The lecture was conceived after, in summer 2007, Pausch had learned that his previously known pancreatic cancer was terminal.

Early life and education

Pausch was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland.[1] After graduating from Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Pausch received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Brown University in May 1982 and his Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University in August 1988.[2] While completing his doctoral studies, Pausch was briefly employed at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center and Adobe Systems.[3]

Career

Pausch was an assistant and associate professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Virginia's School of Engineering and Applied Science from 1988 until 1997. While there, he completed sabbaticals at Walt Disney Imagineering and Electronic Arts (EA).

In 1997, Pausch became Associate Professor of Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design, at Carnegie Mellon University. He was a co-founder in 1998, along with Don Marinelli, of CMU's Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), and he started the Building Virtual Worlds[4] course at CMU and taught it for 10 years. He was a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator and a Lilly Foundation Teaching Fellow. He consulted with Google on user interface design and also consulted with PARC, Imagineering, and Media Metrix.[3] Pausch was the author or co-author of five books and over 70 articles and the founder of the Alice software project.

Pausch received two awards from ACM in 2007 for his achievements in computing education. These are the Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award and the ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education Award for Outstanding Contributions to Computer Science Education.[5] He was also inducted as a Fellow of the ACM in 2007.

The Pittsburgh City Council declared November 19 2007 to be "Dr. Randy Pausch Day."[6]

In May 2008, Pausch was listed by Time as one of the World's Top-100 Most Influential People.[7]

Cancer

Pausch's last lecture poster

Pausch was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer[8][9] and underwent a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) on September 19 2006 in an unsuccessful attempt to halt his pancreatic cancer.[10] He was told in August 2007 to expect a remaining three to six months of good health. He soon moved his family to Chesapeake, Virginia, a suburb near Norfolk, to be close to his wife's family.

On March 13 2008, Pausch advocated for greater federal funding for pancreatic cancer before the United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.[11] In the week prior to this, he had been hospitalized in order to have needle aspiration of pleural effusion in his right lung.

On May 2, a PET scan showed that he had very tiny (5mm or less) metastases in his lungs and some lymph nodes in his chest. He also had some metastases in his peritoneal and retroperitoneal cavities.

On June 26 2008, Pausch indicated that he was considering stopping further chemotherapy because of the potential adverse side effects. He was, however, considering some immuno-therapy-based approaches.[12]

On July 24, on behalf of Pausch, a friend anonymously posted a message on Pausch's webpage stating that a biopsy had indicated that the cancer had progressed further than what was expected from recent PET scans and that Pausch had "taken a step down" and was "much sicker than he had been." The friend also stated that Pausch had then enrolled in a hospice program designed to provide palliative care to those at the end of life.[13]

The Last Lecture

Pausch delivered his "Last Lecture," titled "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," at CMU on September 18 2007.[14] This talk was modeled after an ongoing series of lectures where top academics are asked to think deeply about what matters to them, and then give a hypothetical "final talk," i.e., "what wisdom would you try to impart to the world if you knew it was your last chance?"

Before speaking, Pausch received a long standing ovation from a large crowd of over 400 colleagues and students. When he motioned them to sit down, saying, "Make me earn it," some in the audience shouted back, "You did!"

During the lecture, Pausch was upbeat and humorous, alternating between wisecracks, insights on computer science and engineering education, advice on building multi-disciplinary collaborations, working in groups and interacting with other people, offering inspirational life lessons, and performing push-ups on stage. He also commented on the irony that the "Last Lecture" series had recently been renamed as "Journeys": "I thought, damn, I finally nailed the venue and they renamed it."[15]

After Pausch finished his lecture, Steve Seabolt, on behalf of Electronic Arts, which is now collaborating with CMU in the development of Alice 3.0,[16] pledged to honor Pausch by creating a memorial scholarship for women in computer science,[8] in recognition of Pausch's support and mentoring of women in CS and engineering.

CMU president Jared Cohon spoke emotionally of Pausch's humanity and called his contributions to the university and to education "remarkable and stunning."[17] He then announced that CMU will celebrate Pausch's impact on the world by building and naming after Pausch a raised pedestrian bridge[18] to connect CMU's new Computer Science building and the Center for the Arts, symbolizing the way Pausch linked those two disciplines.

Finally, Brown University professor Andries van Dam followed Pausch's last lecture with a tearful and impassioned speech praising him for his courage and leadership, calling him a role model.[17]

Randy Pausch gave an abridged version of his speech on the Oprah show in October 2007.[19][20]

Media coverage

File:Randy Sting Nov 6 2007.jpg
Randy Pausch and his wife Jai meeting with Sting at a Police concert at the University of Virginia on November 6 2007

Pausch was named "Person of the Week" on ABC's World News with Charles Gibson on September 21.[21] His "Last Lecture" has attracted wide attention from the international media,[22] became an Internet hit, and was viewed over a million times in the first month after its delivery.[23] On October 22 2007, Pausch appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show where he discussed his situation and recapped his "Last Lecture" for millions of TV viewers.[24]

On October 6 2007, Pausch joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the day during their regular practice, after the organization learned that one of his childhood dreams mentioned in his "Last Lecture" was to play in the NFL.[25]

The Disney-owned publisher Hyperion has paid $6.7 million for the rights to publish a book about Pausch called The Last Lecture, co-authored by Pausch and Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Zaslow.[26]

A devoted Star Trek fan, Pausch was invited by film director J. J. Abrams to film a role in the latest Star Trek movie. Abrams heard of Pausch's condition and sent a personal e-mail inviting Pausch to the set. Pausch happily accepted and traveled to Los Angeles, California to shoot his scene. In addition to appearing in the film, he also has a line of dialogue and donated the $217.06 paycheck to charity.[27][28]

On April 9 2008, the ABC network aired an hour long Diane Sawyer feature on Pausch entitled "The Last Lecture: A Love Story For Your Life."[29]

On July 29 2008, ABC aired a follow up to the Last Lecture special, remembering Pausch and his famous lecture.

Other lectures and appearances

Pausch gave an updated version of his "Time Management" lecture on November 27 2007 at the University of Virginia, to an audience of over 850 people.[30][31][32][33][34]

In March 2008, Pausch appeared in a public service announcement video and testified before Congress in support of cancer research.

On May 18 2008, Pausch made a surprise return appearance at Carnegie Mellon, giving a speech at the commencement ceremony, as well as attending the School of Computer Science's diploma ceremony, and on May 19 Pausch appeared on the Good Morning America show.

His lecture, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams", was nominated during the 2007 YouTube Video Awards[35].

Death

File:Pausch google.png
Google's memorial to Randy Pausch


Wikinews has related news:

On July 25 2008, Pausch died from pancreatic cancer at his family's home in Chesapeake, Virginia, having moved there so that his wife and children would be near family after his death.[15][36] He is survived by his wife, Jai, and children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe.

Books

  • Learning to Program with Alice, Brief Edition (with Wanda P Dann and Stephen Cooper) (2006) ISBN 0132397757
  • The Last Lecture (2008) ISBN 1401323251

References

  1. ^ a b Nelson, Valerie J. Randy Pausch, 47; Terminally ill professor inspired many with his 'last lecture'. Los Angeles Times. July 25 2008.
  2. ^ "Prof Whose 'Last Lecture' Became a Sensation Dies", WMAR-TV, ABC2 News, July 25 2008, accessed July 25 2008
  3. ^ a b Randy Pausch, Curriculum Vitae, last updated January 2002, accessed July 26 2008
  4. ^ http://www.etc.cmu.edu/bvw/
  5. ^ Virtual Reality Innovator Honored with Karlstrom Award by ACM, December 3 2007, retrieved 2007-12-04 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Proclamation of Dr. Randy Pausch Day by Pittsburgh City Council". November 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-09. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ "The 2008 Time 100 World's Most Influential People". Time Magazine. May 5 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b Roth, Mark (September 19 2007), CMU professor gives his last lesson on life, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Zaslow, Jeff (September 20 2007), A Beloved Professor Delivers The Lecture of a Lifetime, The Wall Street Journal, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ Randy Pausch's short summary
  11. ^ Dying Professor, Famous for His Last Lecture, Testifies Before Congress March 13 2008
  12. ^ "RandyPauschInformation". Carnegie Mellon University. 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
  13. ^ "RandyPauschInformation". Carnegie Mellon University. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
  14. ^ "University Lecture Series: Journey's". Carnegie Mellon. September 18 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ a b Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press. "Prof whose 'last lecture' became a sensation dies," The Dallas Morning News, July 25 2008.
  16. ^ Watzman, Anne (March 10 2006). "Carnegie Mellon Collaborates With EA to Revolutionize Computer Science Education". Carnegie Mellon Today. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ a b Robins, Gabriel (September 20 2007), Randy Pausch's Last Lecture, University of Virginia, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Heinrichs, Allison (September 19 2007), Professor diagnosed with cancer offers his final words for the CMU community, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Randy Pausch reprising his "Last Lecture", Randy Pausch, Oprah Show, Google video, October 2007.
  20. ^ Dr. Oz Talks about Confronting Death, The Oprah Winfrey Show
  21. ^ "Dying Professor's Lecture of a Lifetime". ABC News. September 21 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ Schmitz, Gregor (October 1 2007), Ein todkranker Professor rührt Amerika, Spiegel Online, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Zaslow, Jeff (September 27 2007), The Professor's Manifesto: What It Meant to Readers, The Wall Street Journal, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Dr. Oz: A Special Report on Death". The Oprah Winfrey Show. October 22 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Heinrichs, Allison (October 4 2007), Dying prof tackles final dream — the NFL, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, retrieved 2007-11-18 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ Flamm, Matthew (November 20 2007), Hyperion wins auction for The Last Lecture, Crain's New York Business, retrieved 2007-11-20 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ Pascale, Anthony (January 19 2008), Inspirational Professor Given Part In Star Trek, TrekMovie.com, retrieved 2008-01-19 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ 'Last Lecture' professor dies at 47, July 25 2008, retrieved 2008-07-25 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ ABC News Special: The Last Lecture: A Love Story for Your Life, April 9 2008, retrieved 2008-04-10 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Randy Pausch: Time is All That Matters". UVa Today. November 28 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Lecture of a Lifetime: U.Va.'s School of Engineering and Applied Science Hosts Talk by Randy Pausch". UVA Today. November 12 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "Professor with terminal cancer: There's less time than you think". Daily Progress. November 12 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "Prognosis Prompts Professor's Tour". NBC 29 WVIR-TV. November 27 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "Former UVa Prof Giving His Last Lectures". 19 News WCAV.tv. November 27 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ http://www.youtube.com/ytawards07
  36. ^ Prof whose 'last lecture' became a sensation dies, Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press, July 25, 2008.
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