The School of Data Science at the University of Virginia celebrated its grand opening with great enthusiasm. UVA President Jim Ryan expressed his excitement about being a part of this new venture, which he credited to the vision and advocacy of past university administrators, particularly Terry Sullivan. He thanked the students, faculty, staff, and alumni for bringing life to the school.
Jaffray Woodriff, a UVA graduate from 1991 and an early artificial intelligence expert who used data science to predict stock trends, was also present at the event. He shared how data science had transformed his life and expressed his excitement that it is now accessible to everyone at the University of Virginia. Woodriff directed funds from his family foundation to support the creation of the building that houses the School of Data Science.
President Ryan and Woodbriff acknowledged the contributions of past leaders and donors who made the establishment of the school possible. The grand opening celebration highlighted the achievements of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who will shape the future of data science at UVA. The new building serves as a symbol of progress and innovation in this rapidly growing field.
As President Ryan said in his speech, “The establishment of this school represents a significant milestone in our commitment to providing our students with cutting-edge education that prepares them for success in today’s world.” He emphasized that data science is becoming increasingly important across all industries, making it essential that UVA graduates have access to this knowledge.
Woodbriff also shared his thoughts on how data science has evolved over time. “When I first started out in this field,” he said, “it was still very much in its infancy. But now we see so many applications for data science across different industries.” He encouraged students to explore their interests in data science further and encouraged them to pursue careers in this exciting field.
Overall, the grand opening celebration was an opportunity for everyone involved with UVA’s School of Data Science to come together and celebrate their accomplishments thus far while looking forward to what lies ahead.