Celebrating Ashok Agrawala's 50th Anniversary at UMD

Celebrating Ashok Agrawala's 50th Anniversary at UMD

May 13 - 14, 2022

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Celebrating Accomplishments. Continuing A Legacy.

Ashok Agrawala in 1975The Department of Computer Science celebrated the 50th anniversary of Professor Ashok Agrawala on May 13, 2022. Professor Ashok Agrawala joined the department of Computer Science in 1971 after completing his Ph.D in Applied Mathematics from Harvard. An expert in Systems and networking, recent photo of Ashok AgrawalaAgarwala’s research areas span over 15 different subjects including design and evaluation of systems, real-time systems, networks, wireless systems, system integration, information dynamics, location determination, synchronization, wearables, health informatics. Over his 50 years span Agrawala has led 52 Ph.D. students, 50 Masters students, thousands of undergraduate students with many more to come.

Professor Agrawala is a leading figure in computer science through his research in systems networking, machine learning and data science, IoT and Wearables Technologies.  Professor Agrawala, who received his PhD from Harvard in 1970 and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards including an Honorary Doctorate from Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Agra, India), is also a Fellow of AAAS and IEEE.  He is and will continue to be an inspiration for generations of CS students and leaders to come.

Friday, May 13 Dinner

Ashok Agrawala addresses celebration attendees

The celebration highlighted the personal stories and experiences of Agrawala’s family, friends, colleagues and students. The department Chair Professor Matthais Zwicker welcomed all the guests and congratulated Agrawala on his remarkable 50 years in the department. The stories shared by Ashok’s colleagues, family and friends including Ashok Thareja (Ph.D.'82 ), and Dr. Agrawala's daughter, Geetika Patel.

View the Full Friday, May 13 Photo Album on Google Photos

 
Iribe Center Lobby
Iribe Center Lobby
Irene Lukoff (L) and Ashok Agrawala
Irene Lukoff (L) and Ashok Agrawala
Celebration Co-Chair Ashok Thareja (Ph.D. '82)
Celebration Co-Chair Ashok Thareja (Ph.D. '82)
Department Chair Matthias Zwicker
Department Chair Matthias Zwicker
Celebration Co-Chair Professor Ming Lin
Celebration Co-Chair Professor Ming Lin
Ashok's Daugher, Geetika Patel
Ashok's Daugher, Geetika Patel

Saturday, May 14 Celebration

The two-day event brought together Ashok’s colleagues, students, family, and friends on the morning of May 14th to celebrate his illustrious accomplishments and a legacy of more than 50 years. Ashok's son Maneesh Agrawala, Forest Baskett Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Brown Institute for Media Innovation at Stanford University, was a featured speaker.

View Full the Saturday Celebration Album on Google Photos

CMNS Dean Amitabh Varshney Addresses The Audience
CMNS Dean Amitabh Varshney Addresses The Audience
Ashok's Son Maneesh Agrawala
Ashok's Son Maneesh Agrawala
Distinguished University Professor Hanan Samet (r)
Distinguished University Professor Hanan Samet (r)
Distinguished University Professor Dinesh Manocha
Distinguished University Professor Dinesh Manocha
Ashok Agrawala Addresses the Audience in the Antonov Auditorium
Ashok Agrawala Addresses the Audience in the Antonov Auditorium
Professor Emeritus Samir Khuller
Professor Emeritus Samir Khuller
Satish K. Trapathi Addresses the Audience
Satish K. Trapathi Addresses the Audience
Ashok Agrawala and Kyungjun Lee
Ashok Agrawala and Kyungjun Lee
Ashok Agrawala
Ashok Agrawala

Saturday, May 14 Technical Workshop

The two-day event also included a technical workshop with talks from CS alumni and Ashok's former and current students.

View the Full Technical Workshop Album on Google Photos

 
Jeffrey Mohr
Jeffrey Mohr
Glenn Ricart
Glenn Ricart
Ronald Larson
Ronald Larson
T.V. Lakshman
T.V. Lakshman
John Agre
John Agre
John Waclawsky
John Waclawsky
Moustafa Youssef
Moustafa Youssef
Neha Gupta
Neha Gupta
Christopher Landauer
Christopher Landauer
Christian Almazan
Christian Almazan
Nick Gramsky
Nick Gramsky
Faizan Wajid
Faizan Wajid
Ashok Agrawala
Ashok Agrawala
Ashok Agrawala
Ashok Agrawala
Ming Lin and Ashok Thareja
Ming Lin and Ashok Thareja

The Professor Ashok Agrawala Students Maryland Promise Scholarship

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QR code for giving to the Ashok Agrawala scholarshipThe celebrations were also marked with the announcement of the Professor Ashok Agrawala Students Maryland Promise Scholarship. A need-based scholarship was established with a leadership commitment from Ashok K. Thareja, and Kimberly S. Thareja, as a tribute to Agrawala's 50 years of teaching and research at the University of Maryland.

As a tribute to Professor Agrawala's 50 years as a teacher and researcher at the University of Maryland, The Professor Ashok Agrawala Students Maryland Promise Scholarship is a need-based scholarship for students in the College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences and the Department of Computer Science (CMNS).

This is an open fund, and we welcome the support of family, friends, students, and colleagues.

All gifts to the fund made before March 1, 2026 will be matched dollar for dollar by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation.

Well-Wishes for Ashok

A collection of glad tidings and testimonials provided by friends and colleagues.

Dear Ashok, Greetings and congratulations from your old friend long long time ago. As someone who walked with you on the field of "pattern recognition" 50+ years ago, I wandered off somewhere else. But you marched on to greater success in the subject and computer sciences. What a glorious journey you had in the 50 years since.  As someone who preceded you in retirement, let me say ‘Come on in, the water in fine. Now you can do what you damn well please!’
Y.C. Ho, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
I remember the first time I met Ashok at a short course I was speaking at, and I persuaded him to come to the UMCP Computer Science department instead of taking a job in industry. I'm glad he came to Maryland and developed into a shining star! - Professor Emeritus Laveen Kanal
Professor Emeritus Laveen Kanal
Congratulations on your 50th anniversary at UMD College Park. It was an honor and privilege to be your student and have you as my Ph.D. advisor. Here is wishing you the very best. - Krisnan Kailas
Krisnan Kailas
I reflect often on the positive impact you have had on my life. I am forever grateful for your guidance and our deep conversations over coffee throughout the pursuit of my PhD. Congratulations on the magnificent achievement of fifty years at UMD! - James Lampton
James Lampton
Thanks so much for all you have done, you've been instrumental in my career, growth, and how I approach life. - Nick Gramsky
Nick Gramsky
It is a pleasure to participate in this celebration of all your contributions to UMD and beyond. - Professor Aravind Srinivasan & Family
Professor Aravind Srinivasan & Family
Congratulations Professor Agrawala! - Mukesh Singhal
Mukesh Singhal
The lessons Professor Agrawala has taught me from all of the years I spent learning from him have lasted in everything I do, from being with my family and in my professional life. I might not be able to tell him often of the impact he has had on my life, but he definitely has been one of the few people to really guide me past my graduate school experience. He has helped and guide people for 50 years who are now across the globe and his guidance will be felt for many more years to come. - Christian Almazan
Christian Almazan
I would, of course, have loved to have been at the event. Your contributions to UM as an eminent researcher and teacher are legendary. What some may not be as aware of, but of course I am, is your exceptional service both inside and outside the campus and in many different capacities. In the old days of American football, they spoke of the rare athlete who was a triple threat because he could do it all so well…run, pass and kick. Well, I’ve always thought of you as the academic equivalent of a triple threat
William E. "Brit" Kirwin
Fifty years is quite an achievement!! I imagine you have advised a number of Ph.D. students. I was very proud to be one of the first. How the computer technology has changed in 50 years! From standalone mainframes to worldwide interconnected PCs and phones with apps. Your research and contributions in a broad array of topical areas is very impressive - Tom Rauscher
Tom Rauscher
Wow -- 50 years! (I only made it to 39.) My hat is off to you, Ashok! And I wish you many more productive years as well. - Professor Emeritus Don Perlis
Professor Emeritus Don Perlis
Congratulations, Ashok, on this wonderful hallmark achievement! Your constant efforts for and dedication to our department are an inspiration to us all. - Rob Patro
Rob Patro
50 years is a big WOW! Congratulations!!!!! Please visit me in Wyoming. - John Waclawsky
John Waclawsky
Congratulations, Ashok, on your long, memorable, and impactful career! You have not only touched the hearts and minds of a myriad of students, but have also forged new and innovative areas of computing research, all focused on not only advancing the state of knowledge, but also on serving society. Best wishes to you as you continue your intellectual journey beyond a half century! - Ronald Larson
Ronald Larson
I would have loved to join in this noteworthy celebration of Professor Agrawala’s 50th year at UMD but unfortunately I shall be able to attend. However, I will send my greetings to him. He has been a great mentor to me during my years at College Park and I owe a lot to him for setting me on my career path. Thank you for the invitation. Best wishes. - Ashok Kulkarni
Ashok Kulkarni