Timely boost

As the importance of computer and data science grows, so does the support of Kevin Kranzusch ’90, a Case-trained computer engineer and a top executive at one of the nation’s fastest growing technology companies.

The Nvidia vice president recently committed another $10 million to the Department of Computer and Data Sciences at the Case School of Engineering. That’s on top of two $5 million commitments that he and his wife, Lynne Bosworth, made to establish the department in 2019 and to bolster the program with endowed professorships and a fellowship.

Housed in a newly renovated Olin Hall, the young department fields some of the most popular majors at CWRU. In the last two years, undergraduate enrollment in computer and data sciences surged by 60 percent, surpassing 1,000 students.

Kranzusch was one of the early employees of Nvidia. The California company designs and sells microchip systems prized for their ability to power artificial intelligence models. A resident of San Jose, Kranzusch said he wants to ensure that Case can compete with the best by offering a rigorous yet collegial experience.

His latest investment, announced in June, creates a third endowed professorship and launches an endowment fund for student success.

“Phase three is primarily about the students,” Kranzusch said in a university news release. “I want to make sure the department can be sustained over time and that the students — both undergrad and grad — actually see the benefits of it. That means bringing in yet another professor, increasing the fellowship grants and funding student activities like student travel, student meetings, and probably a lot of student pizza parties — building up that feeling of belonging in the department to make sure it’s all coming together.”

Vipin Chaudhary, the department’s chair and the first of four Kevin J. Kranzusch Professors, said the latest contribution will be well spent.

“With the surge in enrollment, the timing of the additional support could not have been better,” he said.