The College of Charleston recently received a donation of 20 computers from Google Inc. for the College’s Computer Science Department. These 20 Hewlett Packard desktop computers will be used in the school’s new ACM Software Innovations Lab (iLab). The College has the option to reapply for a second set of machines through Google’s Goodware program.

Watch a video about the Innovation Lab

“Through this support, Google has enabled computer science faculty at the College of Charleston to improve its computing programs and implement new programs, including the proposed computing in the arts degree,” says Chris Starr, Chairman of the Computer Science Department at the College. “ This support will be used to strategically increase the number of undergraduates engaged in computer science research projects.”

According to Starr, ”Computer science at the College of Charleston is positioned for growth thanks to this donation and through partnerships with 14 other industrial leaders in the United States. The department is intensely agile and focused on undergraduate preparation for global computing opportunities.”

“We’re excited to work with the Google team in Berkeley County to help in the development and growth of the College and the region,” says John J. Gladchuk, Director of Development Programs at the College of Charleston. “Thanks to the leadership and foresight of College of Charleston President George Benson this project has now turned into reality. ”

Google recently built a data center near Goose Creek, South Carolina, in Berkeley County.

Gladchuk says the George Watt, Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Steve Osborne, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs are working to find more opportunities to collaborate with Google and other corporate neighbors in the future.

“We are committed to an institutional focus on resource development with College’s Institutional Advancement and the Office of research and grants administration,” says Gladchuk. “A special thanks to Susan Anderson and Business Affairs for ensuring that the school is doing all we can to support strategic objectives.”

Recently, Starr has also been working with Google and members of the Computer Science Teachers Association to help develop material designed to enhance the recruiting of high school students into the field of computer science.

For more information, contact Chris Starr at 843.953.8150.