Representatives from the US Naval Academy Center for High Performance Computing and Research and the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) conducted a ribbon- cutting to launch the academy’s “Grace” supercomputer. Named in honor of computing pioneer Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, the Cray XC-30 will be used to support midshipmen and faculty research in a number of fields. Funded by the DoD High Performance Computing Modernization Program and the Office of Naval Research, Grace will bring supercomputing into the classroom at the Naval Academy.

The University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies is providing floor space and technical support to host the computer. University of Maryland students and faculty will also have access to the machine to support research. Dr. Gavin Taylor, Dr. Carl Albing, and Dr. Nate Chambers from USNA were instrumental in obtaining the machine for the Naval Academy, and Dr. Thomas Goldstein from the University of Maryland assisted with locating the space and support from UMIACS.

From left to right: University of Maryland student, Dr. Gavin Taylor (USNA) Sr. Amitabn Varshey (Director of UMIACS), CDR Michael Bilzor, PhD, (Chair of Computer Science, USNA) Dr. Carl Albing (USNA), Dr. Thomas Goldstein(UMIACS), Midn 1/C Lee