$2.85M Gift Launches the University of Maryland Computing Catalyst

/ 6 August 2025 /

A $2.85 million donation from University of Maryland alum Brendan Iribe will support UMD computing majors and local middle and high school students through experiential learning, scholarships and professional development programs.

The new University of Maryland Computing Catalyst will continue the university's efforts to cultivate an inclusive computing community at UMD.

“Our team is embracing the action and energy behind the ‘Catalyst’ name as we launch into a bright future for computing at Maryland,” said Computing Catalyst Director Tamara Clegg, an associate professor in the College of Information. “We remain committed to our students and are excited to continue facilitating innovative programs that help every computing major thrive."

Iribe’s latest gift establishes the Dr. Jan Plane Endowed Program Support Fund in Computer Science, honoring the principal lecturer emerita of computer science who pioneered the university’s K-12 outreach programs in computing. It adds to $1.5 million he donated previously to support tech-related experiential learning opportunities for local K-12 and UMD students.

Brendan Iribe (with red sash) watches a demonstration by middle school CompSciConnect participants at the dedication of the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering in 2019.

He said that Plane’s launch of CompSciConnect, a three-year summer camp that introduces middle schoolers to computing, and her “compelling vision to support women and so many others in computing” ignited his commitment to this initiative.

“Collaborating with her has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Iribe, currently the co-founder of the artificial intelligence digital voice startup Sesame. “I’m thrilled to see her legacy live on and inspire others.”

Plane, who retired in 2022 after 33 years at UMD, touched the lives of thousands of students from elementary to graduate school while making a computer science education accessible to all. In 2024, Plane received the Award for Broadening Participation in Computing Education from the Association for Computing Machinery’s Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education. Thanks to Iribe’s gift, a student lounge in the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering will also be named in honor of Plane.

“He is a true advocate for broadening participation in computing and improving the quality and quantity of computing education at all levels,” Plane said. “I’m so grateful that he believes in what we do and what we’ve accomplished—his commitment to continuing this work means everything.”

(L-R) Amitabh Varshney, Brendan Iribe, Jandelyn Plane, Darryll J. Pines and Matthias Zwicker at Plane's retirement celebration in 2022.

The Computing Catalyst is a unit in the Department of Computer Science with additional funding from the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies and the College of Information that supports the university’s computer science, geographical science, information science, immersive media design, information systems, social data science, and technology and information design majors.

Highlights from 2024-25 include:

1,300 students and UMD community members attended signature events
775 undergraduate and graduate students participated in programs
230 K-12 students participated in the Summer Academy
50 industry professionals from 15 organizations volunteered to support key programs

“The community of computing students that these programs have fostered is a marvel of energy, creativity and respect for one another,” said Matthias Zwicker, chair of the Department of Computer Science and holder of the Elizabeth Iribe Chair for Innovation and the Phillip H. and Catherine C. Horvitz Professorship. “I couldn't be more excited that the Computing Catalyst will enable us to further build on this success.”

Brendan Iribe and Jandelyn Plane (center) with UMD students at the Grace Hopper Celebration.

Iribe’s philanthropy to UMD also includes $30 million to fund the construction of the 215,600-square-foot Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering, which opened in April 2019. In addition, he established the Brendan Iribe Scholarship in Computer Science and made a donation to the Andrew Reisse Memorial Scholarship in Computer Science. His $1.14 million donation to create the Brendan Iribe Endowed Professorship in Computer Science and the Brendan Iribe Endowed Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering was fully matched by the state’s Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund to support faculty members working in robotics and autonomy or artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“It’s especially inspiring to see donors like Brendan step up and support the next generation in such a powerful way,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of UMD’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. “Brendan leads through generosity, vision and belief in what our university can accomplish, and we are extremely appreciative of the invaluable impact he continues to make.”

Iribe’s career as a successful serial entrepreneur began during his time as a student at UMD. In 2012, he co-founded the virtual reality company Oculus, which Facebook acquired for approximately $2 billion in 2014. Iribe served as CEO of Oculus until 2016 and departed the company in 2018. Before Oculus, Iribe served as chief product officer of the video game streaming company Gaikai until it was acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment for $380 million in 2012. Prior to Gaikai, Iribe spent a decade as the co-founder and CEO of Scaleform, the leading user interface technology provider in the video game market, which Autodesk acquired in 2011. Earlier in his career, Iribe worked as a software programmer, helping the Firaxis team develop the user interface for the award-winning Civilization IV video game.

Individuals can support the University of Maryland Computing Catalyst by donating to the Dr. Jan Plane Endowed Program Support Fund in Computer Science.