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June 6, 2005

Trinity Computer Science Professor Honored By His Alma Mater

SAN ANTONIO - Gerald Pitts, the Caruth Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Trinity University, has been named one of two distinguished former students at Texas A&M University, where he received bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees. A scholarship to a computer science major at the College Station school also was awarded in his name during a spring banquet sponsored by Texas A&M's engineering department.

Texas A&M cited the work Professor Pitts has done in pioneering the concept of shared microcomputer virtual reality interface with simulation models. The school also noted that throughout his career, Dr. Pitts has provided outstanding administrative leadership, developed innovative teaching methods, become an expert in his area of research, and most importantly, made lasting friendships with his students and colleagues.

He received a commemorative plaque from Valerie Taylor, department head of computer science at Texas A&M, Professor Royce E. Wisenbaker, and Isaac Aholu, president of the Computer Science Graduate Student Association. In addition, a $1,000 Distinguished Former Student Scholarship in honor of Professor Pitts was awarded to Christopher Andrew Walker, a computer science senior at Texas A&M.

At Trinity, Professor Pitts has been a chair of the computer science department and received the University's Dr. and Mrs. Z.T. Scott Faculty Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding abilities as a teacher and adviser. In 2004, he also was named a Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, a San Antonio-based organization that supports charitable, scientific, and educational activities. The foundation annually recognizes 15 professors who exemplify superior teaching at a Texas college or university.

Professor Pitts, who has taught at Trinity since 1981, has received more than $2.3 million in research grants and awards from government and industry since 1971. He has written or contributed to five books about computer science or programming and has published or presented 130 papers about his research since 1967.

He has been active in numerous Trinity and professional committees, and is involved in many community activities. He was a city councilman in the San Antonio suburb of Hollywood Park from 1998 to 2000.

A native of Brownwood, Texas, he was a systems analyst for NASA with the Apollo space program before coming to Trinity. He previously taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Florida Institute of Technology, Central Texas College, Texas Tech University, and Mississippi State University.

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