This year, the Department of Computer Science celebrates 50 years of education and discovery at Iowa State University. Following the invention of the first electronic digital computer by John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in the 1930s and the official formation of the Department of Computer Science in 1969, ISU has paved the way for amazing innovations by contributing ground-breaking research and outreach to support future generations. 

It is our privilege to invite all Department of Computer Science alumni and friends to participate in the 50th anniversary festivities. We have planned many ways to be involved, starting with a special issue of Atanasoff Today, regular communications throughout the year showcasing the important work our faculty and alumni are contributing and culminating in a multi-day celebration of the Department of Computer Science on campus September 26-28, 2019. 

We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with you. 

Gianfranco Ciardo and Hridesh Rajan