HP Donates Equipment to the Department

Hewlett-Packard has donated computing equipment valued at more than $250,000 to Texas A&M University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Hewlett-Packard’s donation helped the department upgrade existing facilities and redirect funds toward the purchase of new equipment for open-access and teaching laboratories. The laboratories were dedicated to Hewlett-Packard at a ceremony held on August 28 to honor dignitaries from Hewlett-Packard.

"As the next generation of Aggie engineers receives a top-notch education in computer science and computer engineering, they will each also have access to highest-quality resources, thanks to the generosity of one of the world’s largest technology companies, Hewlett-Packard," said Dr. N.K. Anand, interim executive associate dean of academics for Texas A&M Engineering. "The full suite of resources donated by Hewlett-Packard is valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars, but the impact this technology will have on the education we deliver is priceless."

The Dwight Look College of Engineering has enjoyed a long relationship with Hewlett-Packard. From student scholarships and internships, to providing a conduit of supportive partnerships between industry and faculty, HP has helped support all 12 engineering departments.

"We appreciated Hewlett-Packard’s support, especially in these difficult times. Their donation will allow our students to have the opportunity to work with the kind of equipment that is being currently used in the industry," said Dr. Karan Watson, interim provost and executive vice president for academics at Texas A&M.

Students have already begun using the donated equipment. Jeremy Kelley, a Ph.D. student used the donated Hewlett-Packard servers for his research to process Twitter data.

"Initially, data processing would take me a week, but using the new servers, I was able to complete the job in about half a day," Kelley said.

Hewlett-Packard dignitaries who attended the dedication ceremony were Ron Noblett (Class of 84), vice president of shared engineering services; Terry Hartline, director of integrated systems test; Jonathan Mooty, program manager of OEM opportunities and previously, site manager of the Hewlett-Packard facility at Research Park; and David Beikirch, project manager of integrated systems test, who previously served at the Research Park location as a systems engineer.

"As Hewlett-Packard moves forward, certain changes are being made, and the Hewlett-Packard facility at Research Park had to be shut down," Noblett said. "We are glad that the equipment from the facility will now be used by the students of this department. Their contribution to our business is incalculable. The work they put in during their internships and later helps HP maintain leadership in the industry. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Texas A&M and hope to keep the students interested in Hewlett-Packard."

Written by Marissa Doshi for Aggie Engineering Weekly.