Elizabeth Campell
Institute Communications and Public Affairs
Alton P. “Pete” Jensen, 79, an alumnus
and emeritus professor who was an early advocate for
the development and establishment of Georgia Tech’s
computer science program, died Feb. 6 following a long
illness.
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Pete
Jensen, in 2000 |
He graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering
in 1956, but by 1964 Jensen was among the first to lend
his services to a newly formed School of Information
Science. As a research engineer at what was then called
the Rich Electronic Computing Center, Jensen taught
and developed classes at the School while maintaining
his job at the Computing Center. A specialist in hardware
architecture and design, he is credited with single-handedly
establishing and operating the School’s first
computer laboratory. Jensen also installed the first
e-mail system at Tech, in 1965.
In an interview for the College of Computing’s
tenth anniversary, he said the idea of information science
as an academic discipline was slow to gain acceptance.
But the reluctance only enforced the pioneering resolve
of Jensen and his acolytes.
“We managed to corrupt the students, who then
corrupted the faculty,” he laughed.
Jensen formally joined the IS faculty in 1968 to, as
he put it, “provide a window to reality out of
the theoretical body of things.” Most of the classes
he taught were self-designed courses concerning the
business of managing computer enterprises.
“I tried to create a situation where students
understood the organization and management of the computing
industry, what its role was, and the importance of it,”
he explained.
College of Computing Dean Rich DeMillo recalled, “By
the time I arrived here as a grad student in 1969, Pete
had set up shop on the third floor of the D.M. Smith
Building in a large room with hardwood floors and no
air conditioning. There, he enticed us with access to
computers and technology. He also enticed us with his
unique vision of how computers were going to be used
in large organizations. It is no surprise that many
industry leaders of today learned how to blend technology
and business in Pete’s labs and courses.”
One of the major developments taking place when Jensen
joined the School of Information Science was the concept
of single-function computers, devices designed to perform
specific tasks.
“These were small-scale computers, digital equipment,
PDP-8-type machines costing $50,000 — as contrasted
with the larger machines that cost upward of $10 million,”
he recalled.
“Pete was unselfish with his time and energy,
and his network of friends was vast,” said DeMillo.
“He was a key member of President Carter’s
administrative reorganization of the federal government.
He was instrumental in attracting an Army research lab
to the campus. He connected faculty and students with
local industry and thereby connected the local technology
scene to the university. The many drop-in guest lecturers
in his courses ranged from congressmen to world-class
scientists. All seemed to share the same deep connection
to Pete and that was passed along to his students.”
Jensen retired in 1984 after 28 years at Tech, but
his departure was short-lived. In 1987, he returned
to campus as director of the School of Information and
Computer Science and oversaw the transition to the College
of Computing in 1990.
Peter Freeman, assistant director of Computer and Information
Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation
and former dean of the College of Computing, said, “Pete
was the first associate dean of the College of Computing
and had a very direct hand in getting us off to a good
start. Even after he retired, he remained a faithful
member of the College’s Advisory Board throughout
my time as dean and provided me useful insights and
advice.”
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