Hebert Installed as SCS Dean

Thursday, January 30, 2020 - by Susie Cribbs

SCS celebrated the official installation of Martial Hebert as its dean on Jan. 29.

It's fitting that the installation of School of Computer Science Dean Martial Hebert would begin with a musical intro from Carnegie Mellon University's robot bagpiper, McBlare. After all, Hebert spent his career at the Robotics Institute until taking the helm of SCS this past August.

"When you hear bagpipes, you know something special is happening. When you hear bagpipes being played by a robot, you know you're at Carnegie Mellon University," Provost James H. Garrett Jr. said.

McBlare kicked off the Jan. 29 event that honored Hebert's appointment as the sixth dean of SCS and celebrated the school's rich tradition of excellence and leadership in all facets of computer science.

"Today, we officially recognize Martial as the dean of the School of Computer Science and commit our support to him as he advances the school's world-renowned educational, research and entrepreneurial mission and legacy," Garrett said.

A native of France, Hebert earned a doctorate in computer science at the University of Paris. He joined the Robotics Institute in 1984, just five years after it was founded, and was named a full professor in 1999. For more than three decades, he led major research programs in autonomous systems, including ground and air vehicles, with contributions in the areas of perception for environment understanding and human interaction.

"Martial has shown an unwavering commitment to excellence and a dedication to discovery, inclusion, collaboration and respect as the foundation of his leadership. His passion for SCS and for Carnegie Mellon is truly inspiring," CMU President Farnam Jahanian said. "With Martial as dean, I'm confident that SCS will continue to develop as the world-leader in computer science research and education, and deepen its connections with partners across campus and around the world.

For more information, Contact:
Byron Spice | 412-268-9068 | bspice@cs.cmu.eduVirginia Alvino Young | 412-268-8356 | vay@cmu.edu