from Peter Lee CMU re his Darpa adventure -- best Peter

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Friends,

I'm writing to tell you that I have agreed to go to DARPA for two  
years, starting around the end of August.  There are still some issues  
pending before this becomes official, but I thought it best for you to  
be the among the first to know that this is likely to happen.

This was an extremely difficult decision for me.  I find the job of  
CSD Head to be so incredibly fulfilling and, well, fun.  I also know,  
through my extensive travels and interactions in the computing  
community around the world, that CMU Computer Science is really on a  
roll.  My personal assessment is that CMU CS is doing the highest- 
quality, highest-impact, and most innovative computing research and  
education in the world.  While that is a personal (but expert ;-)  
opinion, what I think is undeniable is that no other computing  
department or research institution in the US has as much forward  
momentum as we do right now.

So why would I go to DARPA, especially now?  Why would I give up my  
chance to have that plum office in our shiny soon-to-be-open Gates and  
Hillman Centers?  And why would I take a leave, even if only for a two- 
year commitment, during one of the most tumultuous periods in history  
for our department and for the university?

Of course, I consulted with many people for advice, including not only  
colleagues but also my family.  I know Regina Dugan, the new DARPA  
Director, and truly admire her and have always worked well with her.   
I believe she is trying to move DARPA into extremely important and  
promising directions.  I also know key members of her new management  
team and can see that I have an important role to fill that would  
benefit not only CMU and the academic community, but our nation's  
defense and even more broadly, our approach to the many challenges now  
facing our society.  Of course, it is also critically important that  
the new DARPA is very, very serious about re-engaging with university  
researchers; my appointment as a new Office Director is hopefully just  
an early sign that DARPA is really serious about this.

For me, it is a great honor to be asked to join this team.  Throughout  
all of this, I have become convinced that a truly major impact is  
possible in a re-envisioned DARPA and that I have a chance to play not  
only an important role in this, but perhaps a crucial one.  In that  
sense, I also feel an obligation to our nation to do this.

I've been working with Randy and others on a transition process, and  
while we have an incredibly strong and vibrant set of leaders,  
undoubtedly there will be a few bumps in the road ahead.  More  
information about this will be dribbling out shortly, and we will also  
roll out, bit by bit, the news of my new post to a wider set of  
people.  I realize that CMU CS is being asked to sacrifice a lot here;  
after all, Jeannette Wing was pulled into national service halfway  
through her headship, too.  But the fact that CMU CS consistently  
produces national-level leaders is something that we should all be  
proud of; we should have faith that this will keep us in good stead in  
the coming years.  Certainly, no CS Department has a deeper and  
stronger "bench" than we do; this is clearly a strong sign of just how  
good we are.  I'm sure you can all think of 4 or more great internal  
candidates for a new or interim head.

I've already confided in some of you who have been my recent  
collaborators.  I appreciate all the moral support and encouragement  
you've been giving me.  The tasks we all face in the next two years  
are enormous, so this supportive attitude is more important than ever.

If any of you feel the need to discuss this with me, feel free to call  
my cell (you can get the number from Diana) or send email.  I am on  
the phone quite a bit or in meetings, so I might not be able to answer  
right away, but I'll definitely get back to you.

More later...

Peter





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