Randolph Frederick Pausch was an American professor and computer scientist who is best known for his inspirational “Last Lecture,” his work on the “Alice” software project, and for co-founding Carnegie Mellon’s Entertainment Technology Center.
Personal and Family Life
Randy Pausch was born and raised in Maryland, where he graduated from Oakland Mills High School in 1978. He received his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Brown University in 1982 and completed his Ph.D. in computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in 1988. He married Jai Glasgow in 2000, and they had three children together: Dylan, Logan, and Chloe.
Career
Pausch began his academic career at the University of Virginia’s computer science department from 1988 to 1997. In 1997, he became a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, where he contributed significantly to human-computer interaction and design. Not only did he co-found the Entertainment Technology Center, but he also authored multiple books and articles and conducted notable research in virtual reality.
Death and Legacy
In August 2006, Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he publicly discussed in his “Last Lecture” delivered on September 18, 2007. His lecture became a New York Times best-seller and garnered global media attention, including features on ABC News and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He passed away on July 25, 2008, at his home in Virginia but left behind a lasting legacy through his teaching, writings, and inspirational messages.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Star Trek | 2009-05-06 | Kelvin Crew Member |
| Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams | 2006-09-19 | Carnegie Mellon University Professor |