And the winners are...Read about the research work from the GVU Graduate Student Award 2020 recipients and the finalists.

Foley Scholars Finalists:

Ceara Byrne, Computer Science (Melody Jackson/Thad Starner)
Sindhu Kiranmai Ernala, Computer Science (Munmun De Choudhury)
Azra Ismail, Human-Centered Computing (Neha Kumar)
Duri Long, Human-Centered Computing (Brian Magerko)
Mehrab Bin Morshed, Computer Science (Gregory Abowd/Thomas Ploetz)
Koustuv Saha, Computer Science (Munmun De Choudhury)
Daniel Schiff, Public Policy (Ellen Zegura)

Distinguished Master's Student Finalists:

Nandita Gupta, Human-Computer Interaction (Carrie Bruce)
Varnit Jain, Human-Computer Interaction (Rosa Arriaga)
Georgianna Lin, Computer Science (Thad Starner)
Ruth Petit-Bois, Computer Science (Ashok Goel)
Shelby Reilly, Human-Computer Interaction (Bruce Walker)

Creating new computing-powered innovations and guiding users through a rapidly shifting technology culture is a large part of the collaborative work in the GVU Center at Georgia Tech.

The GVU Center seeks top graduate students to help shape cutting edge research focused on how people can use computing technology in understanding and improving their daily lives. The Foley Scholars program is the center's highest award for student excellence in research contributions to computing.

The Foley Scholarship includes a $5,000 award and gives students more visibility for their research and potential new collaborative opportunities. The scholarship is supported by donor gifts to the James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment. The endowment was started in honor of James D. Foley, a professor of Interactive Computing, pioneer in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, and a continuing influence in the lives and research of students and faculty in the GVU Center.

The endowment also supports the GVU Distinguished Master's Student Award and recognizes excellence in research by master's students. These graduate students play critical roles in many of the labs and projects affiliated with GVU and are an essential part of the research community. The GVU Dinstinguished Master's Student Award is given to an MS student actively involved in a GVU-related research project. Each year, one student will be selected as the recipient; the award carries a $1,000 prize.

About the James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment

Funds from the Foley Endowment are used to support the students and research activities of the GVU Center, including the Foley Scholars Fellowships, awarded annually to two graduate students on the basis of personal vision, brilliance, and potential impact. Foley Scholars are selected by an advisory board comprised of GVU alumni, current faculty, and industry partners during the fall semester.

The James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment, established in 2007, is named for Dr. James D. Foley, professor and founder of the GVU Center at Georgia Tech. The award was established by Dr. Foley's colleagues and GVU alumni to honor his significant contributions in the field of computing, his influence on the work of others, and his dedication to the development of new research directions. Since its inception, the 21-year-old GVU Center has impacted thousands of Georgia Tech students by providing opportunities for interaction with faculty, research projects, and educational programs associated with the center.

Past Award Winners

Giving to the Foley Endowment

To give financially to the James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment, make your check payable to the Georgia Tech Foundation Inc. Please be sure to indicate on your check that the funds are designated for the James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment. Due to Georgia Tech policies, we can no longer take online donations.

Mail to the following address:

GVU Center at Georgia Tech

ATTN: James D. Foley GVU Center Endowment

85 5th Street, NW.

Atlanta, GA 30332-0280

If you have any questions, please contact the GVU Center at gvu@cc.gatech.edu