To commemorate the late Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering tech executive and former YouTube CEO, Harvard has named a library in her honor at the Science and Engineering Complex. The dedication of the Susan Wojcicki Library took place earlier this spring, attended by Harvard’s President Alan Garber, other university officials, faculty, students, and the Troper Wojcicki family.
The Troper Wojcicki Foundation contributed $20 million to establish the library, which is strategically located at the center of the complex to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. The donation also provides flexible funding for the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, aiding early-stage faculty research, graduate students, and computing and laboratory resources. This support will advance work in fields such as artificial intelligence, energy, climate sustainability, and health engineering.
During the ceremony, President Garber highlighted Wojcicki’s enduring connection to Harvard and the significance of the foundation’s contribution. He emphasized how this support will empower students and faculty to tackle significant societal challenges. Wojcicki and her husband, Dennis Troper, have a history of philanthropy at Harvard, including contributions to the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability and the Harvard Data Science Initiative.
David Parkes, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, expressed gratitude to the Troper Wojcicki family, noting that Wojcicki’s legacy will inspire future generations. University Librarian Martha Whitehead described the library as a “connector,” facilitating access to Harvard’s extensive academic resources and fostering innovation.
Wojcicki, who graduated from Harvard with a focus on history and literature, was known for her cross-disciplinary curiosity and influence in the tech industry. Her career at Google and YouTube was driven by the belief that innovation thrives at the intersection of diverse fields. She maintained strong ties to Harvard, participating in various advisory roles to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Dennis Troper reflected on Wojcicki’s life and their shared journey, expressing how fitting it is for the library to carry her name. He envisioned the library as a space for bold exploration and a reminder to students of their potential to effect change, regardless of their field of study.
Original Source: news.harvard.edu
