University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: May 17, 2007

By SUE HOFMANN
Reporter Contributor

Gina Bronkie Hammond, who received a master's degree in computer science and engineering (CSE) from UB in 1973, has given a gift of $150,000 to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in support of a new high-tech engineering building.

In recognition of her generosity, UB will name a CSE laboratory the Gina Bronkie Hammond Laboratory. The gift reflects Hammond's confidence in the future of UB Engineering and its vision to attract the top students and faculty, and pursue new partnerships, innovations and research opportunities that will positively impact the region, state and beyond.

"I originally thought I would become a math teacher, but fell in love with computers," says Hammond, a vice president at Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) who manages CSC's GWAC (Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts) Service Center. "The new lab is an ideal match for me: an improved teaching space for top-notch students and faculty that's fully equipped with new technology. It's an exciting opportunity."

The new building will modernize programs and facilities for the departments of Computer Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering. The planned 130,000-square-foot structure on the North Campus will boast a "clean room" for intricate work with nanodevices, a "cybertorium" with sophisticated communication devices and smart technology, and flexible research labs, classrooms and meeting areas for interdisciplinary work. The facility will allow UB to use existing buildings to expand both enrollment and high-demand fields like bioengineering. These goals are aligned with the UB 2020 strategic plan, which aims to grow UB by 40 percent and invest in areas of strategic strengths, such as information and computing technology, and integrated nanostructured systems.

New York State has embraced the engineering school's vision, providing $49.6 million toward the $73 million to build the structure. UB Engineering is engaged in a fund-raising effort to generate the remaining $23 million in private funds.

"Gina Hammond has built an enviable career working on the leading edge of the computer science and engineering industry, and the new Hammond Lab will reflect her pioneering spirit" says Harvey G. Stenger Jr., dean of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. "The lab will keep UB at the head of the field, fostering faculty and student research, spawning new ideas and technologies, and preparing UB graduates to follow in Gina's footsteps and lead the next generation of highly skilled computer scientists and engineers."

Hammond, who was born and raised in Williamsville, enrolled in UB as part of a small group of exceptional women pursuing educational opportunities in computer science and engineering. She received a graduate fellowship from UB, "never paying a penny for my master's degree," she says, and juggled a job with academics.

After graduation, she joined the burgeoning computer-science field, serving in increasingly more responsible positions at Marine Midland Bank, Vanguard Technologies, CBIS Federal, DynCorp and CSC.

Among her responsibilities as a vice president at CSC are bidding and executing task-order contracts for the federal government. Hammond has more than 30 years of automated data-processing experience in programming, systems analysis, task management, consulting and contract management.