Tech Talk with Brian McClendon

There’s a free, public event coming up next week that some of us may be interested in, so I thought I’d share it here. It’s a talk by Brian McClendon - the guy who basically invented Google Earth. Here are some details:

What: Tech Talk with Brian McClendon
When: Tuesday, September 18th, 1pm-2pm
Where: Rhatigan Student Center, Room 265, Wichita State University

This presentation will give an overview of Brian’s journey as an entrepreneur, hardware-through-software; making-through-management; his startup businesses to corporate VP; and now back to KU as a research professor. Topics of focus include digital mapping, virtual reality, machine learning, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the value of STEM/STEAM learning for everybody.

To give you a little more background on Brian, he co-founded the startup which became Google Earth and famously made his hometown of Lawrence, Kansas the centerpoint of the Google Earth globe. He built the teams and programs behind Google Earth, Google Maps, Streetview, and Ground Truth, which revolutionized both mapping and the application of satellite and aerial imagery. Brian developed a world-class mapping program for Uber, enabling it to operate and compete more efficiently in the here and now, while simultaneously preparing for the coming dawn of autonomous driving.

The National Academy of Engineering, The American Geographical Society, and The United Nations have honored McClendon for his work. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 2016 by The University of Kansas and was inducted into the Hall of Honor at his alma mater, Lawrence High School.

McClendon returned from Silicon Valley to work with faculty and students at his alma mater, The University of Kansas. He advises and collaborates in big data and machine learning research, but also makes himself available to other departments including: Geography, Urban Planning, City Management, Education, and Transportation Engineering.

McClendon makes public education in Kansas, particularly STEM education, the focus of his volunteer work. He enjoys talking with students about technological innovation in the context of world history and geography.

Also, FWIW, this talk isn’t related to his campaign, but Brian is running for Secretary of State in Kansas.

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Friendly reminder that this is happening at 1pm today!

For anyone unfamiliar with parking at Wichita State, visitors can park in any green, yellow, or yellow-and-green lot 4 times per year for free. There are lots and a parking garage on the south side of the Rhatigan Student Center (RSC) where the talk is being held.

https://goo.gl/maps/gT5fxo7syVL2