STEM Center Gift Bridges Disciplines
Although Trustee Bob Pick ’92, P’25 studied History and Political Science on the Hill, he has always made his living in the technology sector, bringing the world of STEM closer to his heart.
“I have directly observed the value that a liberal arts education can deliver in an increasingly STEM world,” Pick says. “I have been struck by how frustrated some students were in feeling that their academic interests and passions would be a barrier to success in a STEM society. Donating to provide the STEM Center in the new Learning Commons @ Hoover Library is our direct action to alleviate this concern.”
Pick says that he and his wife, Heather, were eager to donate to this project because it establishes a visible STEM pillar in the center of campus. “The liberal arts, in many respects, are all about ‘and.’ It’s not one discipline or the other; one culture or another. It’s about navigating all,” he says. “The STEM Center and Learning Commons underscore that all disciplines, methods, cultures, learning styles, and workways are welcome, available, and supported at McDaniel.”
BOB PICK, ’92, P’25, McDANIEL COLLEGE TRUSTEE
Professionally, Pick has spent more than 11 years at Tokio Marine North America Services, where he currently serves as executive vice president and chief information officer, with responsibilities for technology strategy, delivery, IT, and business operations across the U.S., with more than 1,000 technology staff in the U.S., India, Costa Rica, U.K., and Europe.
In addition to donating to establish the new STEM Center, Pick has also recently engaged with Provost Flavius Lilly and a network of fellow alumni to re-envision the Computer Science curriculum on the Hill.
“Asking alums in a field to provide insight is a great example of the strength and sophistication of our academic programs,” Pick says. “There are notable trends in what hiring managers in this industry are seeking: understanding of modern engineering languages and methods; awareness of cybersecurity and cloud technologies; experience and understanding of user experience design; awareness of data architectures and engineering; and recently, experience with classic and generative AI. Turning the curriculum slightly away from math and toward experience with these modern methods and platforms will prepare students for early success in tech.”
This innovative emphasis on STEM programs and careers is a cornerstone of the new vision for McDaniel, and the college is grateful to donors like the Picks for making it a reality for students pursuing fields that truly represent the liberal arts and sciences.