CHM Honors Computer Graphics Pioneer Andy van Dam With Prestigious Fellow Award

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Andries “Andy” van Dam will be presented with the Computer History Museum (CHM) Fellow Award at a virtual event on September 23, 2021 for his groundbreaking work and  lifetime of contributions to computer graphics, hypertext, and education.

Through tributes and stories, a variety of computer graphics innovators, business executives, academics and thought leaders will explore how van Dam's work has impacted society and empowered humanity to shape a better future.

WHO:
Honoree

• Andy van Dam, 2021 CHM Fellow Award Honoree

Speakers/Presenters 

• danah boyd, Partner Researcher, Microsoft Research and Founder, Data & Society
• Ingrid Carlbom, Professor emeritus, founder and CEO, CADESS.AI
• Ed Catmull, 3D computer graphics pioneer, cofounder of Pixar Animation Studios
• John Crawford, Computer Architect Pioneer
• Paul Daugherty, Group Chief Executive Technology & CTO, Accenture
• Nancy Duarte, CEO Duarte, Inc.
• Eric Horvitz, Chief Scientific Officer, Microsoft
• Ed Lazowska, Professor, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Chair emeritus, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
• Dan'l Lewin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Computer History Museum
• James Manyika, Chairman and Director, McKinsey Global Institute
• Norm Meyrowitz, Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Brown University
• Brad Silverberg, Former Microsoft Executive and Venture Capitalist
• David Simons, Fellow, Adobe

WHAT:

Andries “Andy” van Dam will be presented with the 2021 CHM Fellow Award for his lifetime of contributions to computer graphics, hypertext, and education.

Van Dam has devoted his life's work to revolutionizing how people and ideas connect through computers, how people and computers connect through interactive graphics, how scholars connect through digital humanities education, and how technology and society can connect in ways that are good for humanity. A variety of computer graphics innovators, business executives, academics and thought leaders will share tributes and stories, exploring how van Dam's work has impacted society and empowered humanity to shape a better future.

The event will feature a graphics showcase by guest artists as well as an interactive panel discussion, bringing together industry thought leaders to discuss their thoughts on ethics through the lens of tech and society.

The CHM Fellow Awards Program honors distinguished technology pioneers—unsung heroes and legends—for their outstanding merits and significant contributions to the advancement of computing and the evolution of the digital age. The program is supported with collecting, education, research, and media efforts that reflect the seminal work of each Fellow and preserves their stories for future generations. Fellows are selected annually through a public nomination process. 

CHM is celebrating the 2021 Fellows in a yearlong four-part series of thought-provoking virtual events and engaging digital content that explores the story and impact of each honoree and the present and future of tech for humanity.

This year’s Fellow Awards is presented by headline sponsor Accenture.

WHEN:
Thursday, September 23, 2021
5 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. PDT

AGENDA:

5 p.m. PDT – Fellow Award Program with hosts Dan'l Lewin and Nancy Duarte

• Professor and computer scientist Ed Lazowska and Andy van Dam reflect on Andy's life and achievements. 
• Tributes by computer graphics pioneer and cofounder of Pixar Ed Catmull, Microsoft executive and venture capitalist Brad Silverberg, adjunct computer science professor at Brown University Norm Meyrowitz and business executive and professor emeritus Ingrid Carlbom.

5:50 p.m. PDT – Fellow Award Presentation

• Award presentation by computer architect pioneer John Crawford
• Remarks by Fellow Andy van Dam

6:00 p.m. PDT – Exploring the Impact of Andy's Work

• Tribute by graphics software architect and Academy Award winner David Simons
• Graphics showcase by guest artists

6:15 p.m. PDT – Ethics Panel Discussion 

• Tech and society thought leader danah boyd and computer scientist and research leader Eric Horvitz in conversation with McKinsey Global Institute director James Manyika
• Interact with attendees with live chat and a real-time poll

WHERE:
This event will be held online in CHM’s virtual venue. Please RSVP to gain access.

RSVP CONTACT:
Carina Sweet, csweet@computerhistory.org, (650) 810-1059

About CHM 

The Computer History Museum’s (CHM) mission is to decode technology--the computing past, digital present, and future impact on humanity. From the heart of Silicon Valley, we share insights gleaned from our research, our events, and our incomparable collection of computing artifacts and oral histories to convene, inform, and empower people to build a better world.