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By Sharon AndersonAt the invitation of Dr. Elizabeth McDaniel, Dean of Faculty andAcademic Programs for the Information Resources ManagementCollege of the National Defense University, the CHIPS staff joined adistinguished group of guests in the dedication of the new GraceM. Hopper Auditorium at the IRM College. The dedication, whichwas held January 12, 2004, commemorated Hopper’s pioneeringefforts in Navy computing. In view of the IRMC’s historic commitmentto leveraging the power of information technology, it wasa fitting setting for celebrating Hopper’s genius in recognizingthe essential role that IT would play in government and militaryoperations.IRM College, the largest at NDU, prepares students to becomeinformation leaders in directing information technologies for anational strategic advantage. Primary areas of instruction includepolicy; strategic planning; leadership/management; process improvement;capital planning and investment; performance andresults-based management; technology assessment; architecture;information assurance and security; acquisition; eGovernment;and information operations.The IRM College offers management courses in the eGovernmentLeadership Certificate Program, the Information Assurance CertificateProgram, the Chief Information Officer Certificate Programand the Advanced Management Program. AMP students alsoqualify for the CIO Certificate and have the opportunity to concentratetheir studies in Information Assurance, thereby qualifyingfor an Information Assurance Certificate. The AMP diploma can beused as 15 graduate credits toward selected master’s and doctoraldegree programs at partner institutions.The Center for eGovernment Education defines eGovernment asthe use of information technologies to transform governmentoperations, processes and systems, to improve effectiveness andefficiency, and service delivery to citizens and customers. TheCenter conducts research and identifies best practices in eGovernment.To this end, the Center forms partnerships among variousgovernment and Department of Defense agencies, sectorsof government, private sector organizations, and the academiccommunity to develop eGovernment strategies and initiatives.Rear Adm. Hopper was a guest lecturer at the DoD ComputerInstitute, the precursor of the IRM College, beginning in the 1980s,and she left lasting impressions on those who were privileged tohear her speak. Students in the current Advanced ManagementProgram were in attendance to witness the enduring spirit ofHopper’s vision: “We are only limited by our imagination to unleashthe power of information technology.”Karen S. Evans, Administrator of E-Government and InformationTechnology, Office of Management and Budget, was guest speaker,and impressed upon the audience the urgency of expanding thecost savings and effectiveness of eGovernment, especially in theareas of homeland security and protection. Other distinguishedDr. Margaret E. Myers, Principal Director for the Deputy AssistantSecretary of Defense Deputy Chief Information Officer and Dr.Robert D. Childs, Director of the IRMC, unveiling the Grace M.Hopper memorial plaque. Photo by Army Sgt. Linda Tsang, VisualInformation Specialist for the National Defense University.Convocationspeaker, Karen S.Evans, Administratorof E-GovernmentandInformation Technology,Office ofManagement andBudget. Photo byArmy Sgt. LindaTsang.speakers included Dr. Margaret E. Myers, Principal Director for theDeputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Deputy Chief InformationOfficer) and Dr. Robert D. Childs, Director of the IRMC.Howard Looney, IRMC Professor of Systems Management, introducedRear Adm. Hopper when she was a guest lecturer at theDoD Computer Institute, and attended her lectures wheneverhe could. Looney said, “Whenever Grace Hopper spoke, everyonelistened with rapt attention. The admiral liked to be introduced in acertain way: ‘She was the third programmer on the first large scaledigital computer in the United States and has been wrestling with theinfernal machines ever since.’ She gave the same basic speech to eachclass of students, but she always added something new, typically hermost recent concern or discovery. She always shared her philosophy,learned from her own experience: ‘It is easier to ask forgiveness thanto seek permission.’ ““She was feisty and sharp, and very interested in people as well as20CHIPS Dedicated to Sharing Information*Technology*Experience