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Bill Gates Dedicates New Computer Center At CMU

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Sep 22, 2009 8:36 pm US/Eastern

Bill Gates Dedicates New Computer Center At CMU

OAKLAND (KDKA) ― Andrew Carnegie's mills once made Pittsburgh into a world-recognized industrial power with a ready immigrant work force, but that is in the past.

Carnegie Mellon University, with its internationally ranked reputation for science and technology, is part of Pittsburgh's future.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates was on campus dedicating the newly constructed Gates Center For Computer Science, a $20 million gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"I'm always so excited about the quality of work that's going on and my chance to see the demonstrations and think about how these ideas can get out and impact the world," Gates said.

And through the generosity of Henry and Elsie Hillman's gift of $10 million, the Hillman Center For Future Generation Technologies completes the complex.

Both buildings are environmentally sensitive and energy efficient.

"If ever a building inspired people to do great work this would be it," says CMU President Jared Cohon.

With a skirl of bagpipes leading the way, the new buildings are a perfect marriage of concrete, glass and steel filled with light - a place for a true meeting of minds.

"The computer scientists are collaborating with artists, are collaborating with scientists, physicists and chemists and we believe that's where a lot of the breakthroughs will be made," according to Dr. Guy Blelloch, Associate Dean of Computer Science.

Freshman Jayon Wang is impressed.

"I think it's just remarkable - it's a great place to study and it's very different from everywhere else on campus," he said.

The G-20 Summit will put Pittsburgh in the spotlight for a few days, but the work done at the new center may benefit humankind for decades.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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