Alums inducted into Hall of Computing

Six University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni were inducted to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering's Hall of Computing.

The distinguished list includes Don Dillon, Jay Forrester, Dale Jensen, Don Nelson, William Norris and Jerry Weinberg.

Don Nelson

Don Nelson began his electrical engineering studies at UNL. He graduated in 1932 and joined the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of second lieutenant.

"The military was an important time in my life," Nelson said. "I was selectedto teach atomic weapon delivery to officers and pilots.

"It was very sobering to know you can kill so many innocent people. We knew the consequences."

After his service, Nelson received his master's in electrical engineering at UNL and his PhD at Stanford University.

Nelson's accomplishments include the first Electronic Analog Computer, UNEBAC, and a Remote Job Entry System, NUROS, which gave online access to labs and offices. Nelson also co-founded the Department of Computer Science, previously named the Institute for Computational Sciences, at UNL.

"I am a Nebraskan," Nelson said. "I wanted to make sure the students were properly trained."

He credits most of his success to his desire to do a good job, which he received from his parents.

Gerald Weinberg

An avid technology enthusiast, Jerry Weinberg graduated from UNL in 1955.

"I have always been in (computer sciences)" Weinberg said. "I was there even before it existed."

His interest in technology began as the first computers were being constructed.

"I was always interested in the human mind, and another name for computers was a giant brain," he said. "I just like it."

Among Weinberg's accomplishments, he said the most memorable was the Mercury Project. The project was to send the first man into space.

"It was fun, we were all very young," Weinberg said. "Everything was new and no one had seen it before. It was a science fiction dream for me as a kid."

Weinberg is also an author, with approximately 40 books published, including "The Psychology of Computer Programming."

William Norris

Born a twin, William Norris hails from Red Cloud, Neb., said Don Costello, computer science lecturer at UNL.

Norris graduated from UNL in 1932 with a degree in electrical engineering - just as the field was finding its feet.

He was also a U.S. Navy man, gaining the position of commander in later years, Costello said.

Norris co-founded Engineering Research Associates Inc., based in St. Paul, Minn. Later, he founded Control Data Corp. CDC started as a seller of magnetic drum memory systems, but later introduced the first super computer called the CDC 6600, Costello said. Norris then created PLATO, the first computer-aided instruction system. The system brought jobs and training to inner-cities nation-wide.

"He was a hell of a guy," computer science lecturer, Costello said. "He helped me and my family during rough times."

Norris passed away Aug. 24, 2006.

Dale Jensen

Dale Jensen, a Lincoln native, co-founded Lincoln's Information Technology Group, a worldwide systems firm in banking software.

He paved his way to fortune as he became the youngest vice president of the National Bank of Commerce at 23.

Information Technology provided computer software and solutions. It became a multimillion dollar company.

Jensen sold the company in 1996 for $383 million.

Now, he invests in companies as well as being a board member of the Arizona Diamondback baseball team.

Source: http://cse.unl.edu

Donald Dillon

As a small town man from Alliance, Nebraska, Don Dillon spent most of his education in schoolhouses until graduating from high school. He then attended Regis University in Denver, Colo., before transferring to UNL.

After graduating, Dillon joined the National Guard until 1966 when he began working at the National Bank of Commerce in Lincoln. He started as a computer operator and eventually moved his way up to vice president and director of information management of the bank.

Dillon also co-founded Information Technology Inc., which serves 2,700 banks in the U.S. with banking software and services.

He then joined the Board of Trustees of the UNL Directors Club and the Nebraska State Historical Society. Dillon also started the Dillon Foundation in 1997, which gave several million dollars to humanitarian and educational organizations in Nebraska.

Source: http://cse.unl.edu

Jay Forrester

Jay Forrester, born on a cattle ranch near Anselmo, has always thought agriculture was important, Costello said.

Gaining experience, Forrester began experimenting in engineering; once building a 12-volt electrical system using old car parts.

Forrester attended UNL and graduated with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1939. The Computer Science and Engineering Web site quotes Forrester as saying he didn't go into agriculture because he didn't want to herd cattle in Nebraska winters.

A few years later, he helped install units on the USS Lexington as it was attacked numerous times. He also was a part of the Whirlwind project, which was the construction of the first all-digital computer.

Forrester won numerous awards including the 1989 National Medal of Technology. He is now professor emeritus and senior lecturer at MIT.

Written and compiled by Louis Teal louisteal@dailynebraskan.com