重口味SM

William Buxton and William Reeves in conversation with Eugene Fiume of U of T's Department of Computer Science (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)

U of T celebrates its digital media pioneers

MaRS hosts "double bill" of Buxton and Reeves

William Reeves holds a leading technical role at Pixar Animation; William Buxton is a principal scientist at Microsoft Research.

Both are Computer Science graduates from the 重口味SM and now honorary degree recipients.

and took time out from Convocation to share the stage at the MaRS Discovery District June 5 for an unforgettable afternoon of conversation with 200 U of T students, faculty, staff and community members.

Acknowledged as visionaries in their fields, the pair have imagined and created technologies that affect everyday lives 鈥 in Reeves鈥 case, beautiful, award-winning films, and in Buxton鈥檚 case, mobile tools used on tablet computers and smartphones.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have world-class innovators like Buxton and Reeves come back to campus,鈥 said Kimberly Silk of Rotman鈥檚 Martin Prosperity Institute. 鈥淭heir discussion about their early days in the computer science department helps students understand that every great achiever began somewhere rather ordinary, and through nurturing environments like the Dynamic Graphics Project they were able to hone their curiosity to create great things throughout their careers.鈥

Audience members called the conversation, moderated by Computer Science faculty member Eugene Fiume, inspiring and engaging, with clear differences between the two luminaries: Reeves was more soft-spoken, modest; Buxton was the energetic, more outgoing of the two.

鈥淸I] don鈥檛 stop talking, and [Reeves] doesn鈥檛 say a word,鈥 said Buxton, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Apparent throughout the discussion, however, was the great professional respect the two have for each other, and a mutual fondness for their time at U of T, particularly in the Department of Computer Science鈥檚 Dynamic Graphics Lab.

鈥淣one of us thought we were doing anything extraordinary,鈥 Buxton said. 鈥淣o one ever said what we were doing was hard, so it was the best possible climate in which to learn and experiment [without being overwhelmed or intimidated].鈥

It was an environment that nurtured creativity, Reeves said.

鈥淲e would just show up [at the lab], and then stay, and stay, and stay, and have fun, and learn,鈥 said Reeves. 鈥淚 still try to recreate that environment at Pixar, when I have the opportunity.鈥

Recalling that relaxed, stimulating environment encouraged Buxton to reflect upon government鈥檚 efforts to support education.

鈥淵ou can鈥檛 predict where the great ideas are going to come from,鈥 Buxton said. 鈥淭he university needs to cultivate smart people with imagination.鈥

Computer science undergraduate student Mary Malit was encouraged by Buxton鈥檚 advice about pursuing passions, but making sure to do some things that force you to be a beginner, so you stay on that uncomfortable edge of learning something new.

鈥淗e probably thought this was a small thing he said, but I鈥檓 pretty sure that I will remember it for the rest of my life,鈥 said Malit.

Reeves received his Doctor of Science, honoris causa, on Wednesday, June 5. Buxton received his Doctor of Science, honoris causa, on Thursday, June 6.

Sara Franca is a writer with the 重口味SM's Department of Computer Science.

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