Unforgettable lessons

Former Microsoft COO Bob Herbold, MS ’66, PhD ’68, gained a lifetime of inspiration from his education at Case Institute of Technology. Fifty years later, he still keeps in touch with his favorite math professor, Richard Varga ’50, PhD.

“Professor Varga was a tremendous mentor — so much so that I still speak to him several times a year,” Herbold told The Daily, the university’s online news source, in announcing an uncommon gift.

To foster great teaching in the Case tradition, Herbold committed $2 million to endow a first-of-its-kind professorship at the Case School of Engineering. The Robert J. Herbold Professor of Transformative Teaching professorship will recognize and support a faculty member who excels at teaching and mentoring.

The first professorship will be held by Harold Connamacher, professor of computer and data science.

“Recently, I had an opportunity to monitor a class taught by Harold Connamacher and was really impressed,” said Herbold, who earned his master’s degree in mathematics and his doctorate in computer science at CIT. “Through this professorship, I hope to be able to recognize and reward teachers, like Harold, who are extraordinary in their field.”