David Gries

Professor Emeritus at Cornell University

David Gries is a prominent American computer scientist, recognized for his significant contributions to the field of computer science education and programming methodology. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, where he has had a long and distinguished career.

Educational Background

B.S. in Mathematics from Queens College, NY (1960)
M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois (1963)
Dr. rer. nat. from the Munich Institute of Technology (now Technical University Munich), Germany (1966)

Career Highlights

Gries began his academic career as an assistant professor at Stanford University (1966-1969) before joining Cornell University, where he has spent most of his career.
He served as the Chair of the Computer Science Department from 1982 to 1988 and was the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Engineering from 2003 to 2011.1 3
After retiring in 2011, he continued to teach, notably the course CS2110: Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures, which had over 600 students enrolled in Spring 2018.1 4

Research Interests

Gries's research primarily focuses on:

Programming methodology
Programming languages
Compiler writing
Formal methods in programming

He has been a strong advocate for integrating formal methods into computer science education, emphasizing their importance for undergraduate students.3 4

Publications and Contributions

David Gries is an accomplished author with several influential textbooks and research papers to his name. Notable works include:

The Science of Programming (1981)
A Logical Approach to Discrete Math (1993, co-authored with Fred B. Schneider)
Compiler Construction for Digital Computers (1971), recognized as one of the first comprehensive texts on compilers.1 3 4

He has also served as an editor and managing co-editor for various academic journals, including Information Processing Letters, and has contributed significantly to the field through his editorial roles.1

Awards and Honors

Gries has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including:

Guggenheim Fellowship (1984–1985)
ACM Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award (1995)
Honorary Doctor of Science from Miami University (1999) and Doctor of Laws from Daniel Webster College (1996).1 3

Legacy

Gries's impact extends beyond academia; he has mentored many PhD students and contributed to shaping the curriculum in computer science. His final lecture in May 2022 was attended by around 700 students and faculty members, highlighting his enduring influence on the Cornell community.3

For more detailed insights into his academic contributions, you can refer to his profiles available on platforms like Google Scholar and ResearchGate.2 5