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arXiv:2208.01765cs.GL

Mary Kenneth Keller: First US PhD in Computer Science

Jennifer Head, Dianne P. O'Leary

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Abstract

In June 1965, Sister Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM, received the first US PhD in Computer Science, and this paper outlines her life and accomplishments. As a scholar, she has the distinction of being an early advocate of learning-by-example in artificial intelligence. Her main scholarly contribution was in shaping computer science education in high schools and small colleges. She was an evangelist for viewing the computer as a symbol manipulator, for providing computer literacy to everyone, and for the use of computers in service to humanity. She was far ahead of her time in working to ensure a place for women in technology and in eliminating barriers preventing their participation, such as poor access to education and daycare. She was a strong and spirited woman, a visionary in seeing how computers would revolutionize our lives. A condensation of this paper appeared as, ``The Legacy of Mary Kenneth Keller, First U.S. Ph.D. in Computer Science," Jennifer Head and Dianne P. O'Leary, IEEE Annals of the History of Computing 45(1):55--63, January-March 2023.

arXiv comments
This revision expands the abstract, adds a reference to a condensed version of this paper published in a journal, references Keller's work on ACM curricula, and notes an IEEE prize in her honor
Journal reference
IEEE Annals of the History of Computing 45(1):55--63, January-March 2023
DOI
doi:10.1109/MAHC.2022.3231763
Subjects
cs.GLGeneral Literature

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Linked by 1 identifiable commenter in 1 comment across 1 thread, from Sep 2022 to Sep 2022. Found in 2 HN submissions from Aug 2022 to Sep 2022. Open submission discussions.

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    • "The first two doctoral-level degrees in Computer Science in the US were awarded in June 1965. This paper discusses one of the degree recipients, Sister Mary Kenneth Keller, BVM." - https://arxiv.org/pdf/2208.01765.pdf

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