tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498440068155109604.post-36177452740342897322008-05-22T21:04:00.000-07:002008-05-22T21:47:06.061-07:00I just returned from a party at the <a href="http://www.computerhistory.org/">Computer History Museum </a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_Sutherland">Ivan Sutherland</a>. Ivan is considered by many to be the father of Computer Graphics, and was my master's thesis advisor at Caltech. <br /><br />It was an evening of memories for me as I remembered my early graduate student days. I was at Caltech to work with Ivan because a professor at the University of Utah <a href="http://www.cs.utah.edu/~rfr/">Richard Riesenfeld </a>believed in me, and introduced me to Ivan. As a 22 year old undergraduate student with no clear idea of what a Computer Science degree meant, or what my options were, the interest and advice of a professor changed my life, something I am often reminded of by the students who attend the Hopper conference and learn from others what is possible. <br /><br />I arrived at Caltech and joined Ivan and a small research group working on a hierarchical design rule checker, a hot topic in the VLSI field at the time. Ivan challenged my thinking and pushed me, and it was one of the most rewarding years of my life, resulting in two conference papers, no small feat for a first year student. <br /><br />Ivan left Caltech after my first year, and when I protested, he politely reminded me that he had not made a commitment to be my PhD advisor. In the long run, it worked out, I worked with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carver_Mead">Carver Mead</a>, an extraordinary man who I consider a friend and mentor to this day, who was also at the party tonight. <br /><br />Both Ivan and Carver had characteristics of many great mentors - they challenged me, and pushed me hard. But they really believed in me, and let me know it. <br /><br />Tonight it was wonderful to hear some of the true greats in Computer Science such as Alan Kay, John Warnock, and Bob Sproull talk about the brilliance of Ivan, and it is true. But what made him great to me is his role as teacher and mentor. Others felt the same, as heard in the stories of his many students, who spoke of his impact on them. <br /><br />Ah yes, I did notice they were almost exclusively men talking, and I am committed to changing the presence of women. But mentoring is important to me, and to the many great leaders I know. Tonight, it was important to reflect on the great mentors I have had in my life. I owe them a great deal, and remember that it is important to give back.Telle Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12652945679020951668noreply@blogger.com