Grinnell College has received a $10 million estate gift from the Robert N. Noyce Trust, a donation from Ann Bowers in honor of her late husband, Robert N. Noyce `49. The contribution will enhance the College’s computer science program, foster interdisciplinary innovation and support scientific research through new faculty positions, scholarships and upgraded equipment.
“Robert Noyce was a pioneer whose innovations have reshaped how we live and learn,” said President Anne Harris in the College’s announcement of the gift to the Grinnell community. “This gift, offered by his wife Ann Bowers, not only honors his deep connection to Grinnell but also secures vital support for future generations of Grinnellians, helping them navigate challenges and opportunities yet to be imagined.”
The Robert N. Noyce `49 Science Center on campus stands as a lasting tribute to Noyce’s contributions. The $10 million gift will be allocated as follows:
- $4 million to establish the Robert N. Noyce `49 and Ann Bowers Endowed Chair in Computer Science.
- $2 million to create the Endowed Fund for Curricular Development, supporting interdisciplinary projects that enhance teaching and learning.
- $2 million for the Endowed Scientific Equipment Fund to maintain and upgrade essential scientific resources.
- $2 million to establish an endowed scholarship for students demonstrating financial need.
Peter-Michael Osera, chair of the computer science department, highlighted the gift’s impact, saying that computer science has grown to become the largest major at Grinnell with increasing demand.
In the College’s announcement, Osera said,“Just ten years ago, we had only 13 computer science majors. Today, our program has grown to 144 students, many of whom are pursuing interdisciplinary studies across 19 departments.”
The department has faced staffing and budget challenges as enrollment in computer science has surged.
“For the past two years, we’ve had to carefully manage class enrollments to ensure every student can graduate on time,” Osera said. “With additional staffing, we can finally meet student demand and maintain our commitment to equity and diversity in computing,”
With funding from the gift, the computer science department will be able to hire 2 new tenure-track faculty members, expanding the department to 10 faculty members. Osera said that he hopes this will relieve pressure and create more opportunities for non-majors as well.
“We see computer science as a pervasive force in every part of society, and we want to educate not just our majors but non-majors as well,” Osera said.
In addition to supporting faculty growth, the $2 million Endowed Fund for Curricular Development will drive innovation in teaching. Osera said that there are ongoing projects such as alternative grading workshops and efforts to align the curriculum with evolving global standards in computer science education.
“With rapid advancements in AI and other technologies, this fund will ensure we can continue to innovate and stay at the forefront,” Osera said.
Students can look forward to expanded course offerings, including courses for non-majors. Osera said that there are also plans in place to broaden the department’s introductory courses, which currently cover topics like music, digital art, humanities and data science. The additional funding will allow for new courses in artificial intelligence (AI), ethics and human-computer interaction.
Bernadine Douglas, vice president of development and alumni relations, emphasized the broader impact of the gift. In the College’s announcement, Douglas said that Noyce’s collaborative spirit and belief in technology’s transformative power will inspire future generations at Grinnell.
“We were an exemplar of the 2013 curriculum standards, and with this funding, we aim to reach that level of excellence once again,” Osera said.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct a quote from Peter-Michael Osera. Updated Feb. 17, 2025, 1:06 p.m.
