Program observes 50 years

• Advocate Acadiana bureau
• Published: Oct 29, 2009 - Page: 1BA

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LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette commemorates the 50th anniversary of its computer science program Friday and Saturday with its Louisiana Computing Carnival 2009.

All computer science and Center for Advanced Computer Studies alumni and supporters are invited to attend.

Events include the rededication of the university’s computer science building, a banquet on Friday and workshops scheduled Saturday.

At 1:30 p.m. Friday, a rededication ceremony will be held to rename the computer science building after James Oliver, the late professor who founded ULL’s computer science program. The building is at 301 E. Lewis St. across from Girard Park.

“Fifty years ago, UL-Lafayette offered the first course in computer science. Not many universities had even heard about this new invention,” Magdy Bayoumi, director of CACS and department head for computer science, said in a news release.

“From there, UL-Lafayette developed an excellent computer science program, highly regarded all over the world.”

At 7 p.m. Friday, a banquet will be held at the Hilton to honor the Oliver family and highlight the history of computing at the university.

In addition to the building dedication, the carnival will include a workshop highlighting the impact of computing and Internet revolution, poster presentations focusing on research and student projects, and a building tour.

Sung-Mo “Steve” Kang will deliver the keynote address. He is chancellor of the University of California at Merced, where he also serves as a professor of engineering.

For information or to purchase banquet tickets, contact CACS at (337) 482-6854 or visit the Web site at http://www.cacsconference. com.