Gore will join U. in ENIAC festivities

Vice President Al Gore will be on campus February 14 to help celebrate ENIAC's 50th anniversary, "short of any major catastrophe," according to University President Judith Rodin. "We just got final confirmation from the White House today, so unless there is a war or a crisis, his visit is definite," she said. Gore will serve as the honorary chairperson for the birthday celebration of the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. The co-chairpersons for the event include Rodin, Mayor Ed Rendell and Unisys Chief Executive Officer James Unruh. "I think [Gore] recognizes that Penn is the birthplace of modern technology, and he wants to help us celebrate that," Rodin said. Gore will arrive on campus late that Wednesday morning and give a speech on ENIAC's legacy and the future impact of technology on society, according to Rodin. "He wants the crowd to be as many people as possible, but all of this is dependent on what the Secret Service and our own security says," said Carol Scheman, vice president for government, community and public affairs. Rodin said Gore has been a visionary and "someone who's been very thoughtful about education." "It's been great having someone in the White House who understands the importance of basic and applied sciences," she added. Gore will then walk with students to the ENIAC museum, located in the Moore building. There, he will take part in a ceremony by switching on Eniac, with the help of Rodin, a University student, one of the founding scientists, Rendell, U.S. Representative Robert Walker (R-Pa.), U.S. Representative Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Fumo and several other elected officials and city council members, according to Scheman. ENIAC was the first large-scale general purpose electronic computer in the world. It was created at the University's Moore School of Engineering in November 1945, according to Engineering Dean Gregory Farrington. Its first public demonstration was on February 14, 1946. Following the ceremony, Gore will have "a series of press interviews and photo opportunities" in the Moore building, she said. Gore will also be visiting some of the University's more technologically advanced classrooms, Rodin said. Faculty, graduate and undergraduate students have made it possible to switch on one portion of Eniac, she said. She added that Gore "wants to meet with students and just have a chance to interact with them." But while many students will have the opportunity to meet with Gore, it has not yet been determined if those students will be selected beforehand, or it will be on a "first come, first serve" basis, Rodin said. "We think it's a wonderful thing for the University, and we're excited that the vice president can come and share his enthusiasm with the students," she added. Rodin said this celebration is a great opportunity for Penn. "We have a lot to be proud of, and it'll be great to show it off." Daily Pennsylvanian reporters Andrea Ahles and Ben Hammer contributed to this story.