On September 18, 2007, Randy Pausch, Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) co-founder and Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) Professor, delivered an inspiring last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. The lecture has since been viewed online by millions, and led to a best-selling book, inspiring many students to achieve their dreams.

To celebrate this 10th anniversary and Randy’s ongoing impact at CMU and around the world, there are several events planned. Share #LastLecture inspiration with CMU, HCII and ETC social media, and follow along as we confirm dates and places throughout the year.

September 2017: Celebrating 10 Years of the Last Lecture

October 2017: CMU Last Lecture Screening and Panel Discussion
CUC McConomy on Wednesday, Oct. 11th from 4:30-6:30pm

CMU’s University Lecture Series (ULS) is hosting a screening of the lecture followed by a panel discussion. Panelists include:

• Jesse Schell, a video game designer, acclaimed author, CEO of Schell Games and a distinguished professor of the practice of entertainment technology at CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center;
• Jessica Hodgins, professor in CMU’s Robotics Institute and Computer Science Department and former vice president of research for Disney;
• Cleah Schlueter, a former project coordinator in the Computer Science Department;
• Daniel P. Siewiorek, the Buhl University Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science; and
• Laurel Beatty, a double alumnus of Carnegie Mellon.

November 2017: Randy Pausch Day, Nov.20th

January 2018: Chat with Randy Pausch
Before his death in 2008, an extensive interview was conducted asking Randy nearly 400 questions submitted by colleagues and students alike. Now you can ask Randy about his childhood, family, research, and passions and hear his answers from this in-depth interview that are moving, funny, thought provoking and extraordinary.

February 2018: Alice Challenge with Pittsburgh Schools Kickoff

March 2018: Alice School Challenge Deadline
ETC Distinguished Professor of Practice Jesse Schell, “You Can Do More Than You Think: Memories of Randy Pausch”
ETC RPIS on Monday, March 5th from 4:00-5:00pm

April 2018: The Importance of Mentoring to Graduate Student Success
Panel during GSA Graduate Appreciate Week
Andy Van Dam (via video conference), Jeanne Van Briesen and Scott Sandage
UC Danforth Conference Room, April 11th from 6:00-7:30PM

Randy Pausch focused much of his “Last Lecture” on encouraging the audience to enable the dreams of others. In the next of our yearlong series celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pausch’s lecture, this panel picks up that point from Randy to discuss the importance of mentoring. Our panelists are: Andy van Dam, Randy’s mentor, the Thomas J. Watson, Jr. University Professor of Technology and Education and Professor of Computer Science at Brown University; Jeanne VanBriesen, the Duquesne Light Company Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Director of the Center for Water Quality in Urban Environmental Systems (Water QUEST) at Carnegie Mellon University; and Scott Sandage, associate professor in the Department of History at Carnegie Mellon University. They will engage in a conversation about what it means to be a good mentor, including how it means adapting mentoring styles based on situations. Our panelists also invite a discussion of mentoring as a lifelong relationship where there is no “last lecture” between a mentee and mentor until “the last lecture.”

May 2018: Alice Oral History published through ETC Press

June 2018:  Alice School Challenge Awards Event

Randy’s Last Lecture