Princeton University has named UBC science dean and computer scientist
Maria Klawe the dean of its School of Engineering and Applied Science.
"Maria Klawe is a leader in science education, and particularly
in encouraging and increasing women’s participation in information
technology and sciences," said Princeton President Shirley
M. Tilghman.
"As dean of science at the University of British Columbia,
Maria has been remarkably effective in developing innovative science
programs, and promoting interdisciplinary research to achieve results,
while looking outward to build new relationships with industry.
I’m looking forward to working with Maria as she leads the initiatives
that will keep Princeton at the forefront of academic engineering."
Klawe, 50, has been UBC’s dean of science since November, 1998.
Before that, she was vice-president, Student and Academic Services,
and she headed UBC’s computer science dept. for six and a half years.
"We are truly sad to be losing a scholar of Maria’s rank,
" said UBC President Martha Piper, "but we take some consolation
in knowing that she will be joining one of the world’s most prestigious
research institutions." Piper added that the university is
committed to finding a successor who will provide strong, visionary
leadership for the science faculty.
As a researcher, Klawe has gained particular recognition for her
work on the use of interactive multimedia in teaching mathematics,
reading and science. She has also made significant contributions
in several areas of mathematics and theoretical computer science.
Her accomplishments have earned her a flow of awards including in
2001 the Science and Technology Champion of the Year award from
the Science Council of B.C.
Born in Toronto, Klawe holds bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in
mathematics from the University of Alberta. She has held faculty
positions in mathematics and computer science at Oakland University
in Michigan and the University of Toronto, and worked for eight
years with IBM.
Klawe steps down as science dean on Nov. 1 and takes up her new
position at Princeton Jan. 1, 2003. She will also be appointed a
professor in Princeton’s Department of Computer Science.
Klawe’s husband, Nick Pippenger, who holds a Canada Research Chair
in Computer Science at UBC, also will be moving to Princeton in
summer 2003 as a professor in the Department of Computer Science.
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