Online "Guided Tour": Hank Levy, faculty liaison for Allen Center design and construction

Dedication brochure: (pdf)

Project summary transparencies: (pdf)

Support CSE's endowment campaign!

In the news:

"I think it's so important to give young people the opportunity to explore their passions -- whether it's computers and software, or music, or studying entrepreneurial skills -- whatever makes them excited about life and learning. I hope that my support of the new Allen Center will help create those opportunities for students ..."

"The doors officially opened on October 9, the visitors streamed in, their eyes widened, and many exclaimed 'Wow!' No words of praise meant more, however, than the one from Paul G. Allen -- 'Stunning!'"

"There can be any number of ways to envision a building which responds to a specific program of objectives. In the case of the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering, the project has attained success in architecturally capturing the spirit of team-learning centered on the personal interactive relationships between faculty, students and their physical environment."

"When one walks through the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering, it quickly becomes clear that the local technology community wanted this building to be built. The signs are everywhere." (Also see cover photo.)

"Notkin and Lazowska realize that expectations are even higher for the program now. Based on past performance, they're confident that the technology sector's faith is well placed. 'Our program has a long record of committing to excellence and delivering on our commitments,' Lazowska said. 'If it had been just hot air, we would still be in Sieg Hall.'"

"Bill Gates and Paul Allen met at Lakeside School, but they got serious about computers at the University of Washington. Like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in their cave, Gates and Allen prowled the UW's basement computer lab in the early 1970s to tinker with its big and rare machines. They don't have to sneak around anymore. Last night, in a private dinner with UW leaders, Allen and Gates were given electronic entry cards giving them permanent access to the new $72 million Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering."

"'We have a history of pushing the boundaries here,' [CSE department chair David Notkin] said. 'Our secret sauce is having great people and no boundaries.' [Paul] Allen agreed, noting it was that very openness that led him, as a high school student, to sneak onto campus and use the UW computers in the graduate lab in the basement of Roberts Hall without permission. He contended it was not technically unauthorized use. 'The door was unlocked,' Allen said."

"Paul Allen and Bill Gates wore out their welcome at the University of Washington while they were still in high school. They'd spend their free time there, fooling around with unoccupied computers until they learned enough to help launch the PC revolution. Nowadays, their welcome at the UW is pretty well assured ... Both Gates and Allen have said they wanted to give back to the university that was so important to their formative years, and where they spent so much time."

"Soccer-playing robot dogs will welcome visitors at Thursday's dedication and open house for the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering on the University of Washington campus ... It was designed to offer hands-on learning, and was funded mostly by private donations."

"After nearly 30 years in Sieg Hall, the Department of Computer Science & Engineering began the academic year today in a new building. The Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering, completed on time and under budget, provides 85,000 assignable square feet, more than doubling CSE's total space and tripling its laboratory area ...

"'It's worth noting that this building truly is mostly privately funded,' said Lazowska ... The high level of private support did not come as a surprise to Notkin. 'Our mission resonates with people in the region, including alums, venture capitalists, and leaders of high-tech business in the area.' According to Lazowska, another reason for the campaign's success is that, even before the Allen Center, CSE was truly a top program ... 'We deliver. We produce unbelievably wonderful students. We create companies and transfer technologies. We provide leadership. People have seen this, and they have seen the impact. They want more of it.'"

"The UW Department of Computer Science amp; Engineering finally has a new home worthy of its reputation as a leader in 21st century computer science ... it will transform the nature of education in the department and the University."

	Computer Science & Engineering University of Washington Box 352350 Seattle, WA  98195-2350 (206) 543-1695 voice, (206) 543-2969 FAX [comments to lazowska]