It has been a tremendous journey as we build the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences (CDIS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With your continued support and encouragement, we have made significant strides in our mission to educate world-class students, equipping them to face the opportunities and challenges of today’s digital age.
I want to update you on our progress and encourage you to support CDIS in the upcoming Day of the Badger campaign on March 28-29.
Our faculty and students have been busy making remarkable contributions in their fields, including groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity. Your support will go toward enhancing the student experience of our fast-growing school through scholarships, co-curricular activities, applied learning, and career development.
I am also thrilled to share that construction of our new building at University Avenue and Charter Street officially began earlier this month. The CDIS building will be a high-tech hub for the state and campus where faculty and students will learn, collaborate, and innovate. The $260 million privately funded facility will provide our students with an unparalleled learning experience and completes a tech corridor in the heart of campus.
With the largest and fastest-growing majors on campus (Computer Sciences and Data Science, respectively), we cannot rest on our laurels. Much work is still required, and we need your support more than ever. The 1068% growth in CDIS undergrads in the past ten years has stretched our resources. With your help, we can continue to keep our programs open to all and provide our students with the tools and resources they need to excel and prepare for successful careers.
Fun fact: More students than ever are choosing to pair tech with other majors. More than 40% of our computer sciences majors are double majors from over 75 different disciplines.
Please consider making a gift to CDIS during the Day of the Badger campaign. Your contribution, no matter how large or small, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.
I appreciate your consideration, and On, Wisconsin!
With gratitude,
Tom
Tom Erickson ’80
Founding Director, School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences
Executive Associate Dean, Strategy & Innovation, College of Letters & Science