Randall Research Scholars Program History
Our history begins with The University of Alabama’s establishment of its first computer center in 1961. In the early days, the center worked to encourage faculty and students to rely more on computer technology in their research and instruction. Bright, motivated undergraduates were employed to help staff the center; they received accelerated training in computer techniques and were then assigned to assist University faculty and staff with new and ongoing research projects.
In 1968, the Computer-Based Honors Program (CBHP) was established at The University of Alabama as the result of a grant from the National Science Foundation. The original objectives of the program as outlined in the 1968 recruiting brochure were:
“To train a selected group of academically outstanding undergraduate students in the use of computer techniques, with emphasis on relating their training to specific subject matter areas... The ultimate objective of the Computer-Based Honors Program is to produce students who will become leaders in the application of computer techniques to various fields of human knowledge.”
Throughout its first fifty years, the CBHP has remained true to these original objectives while expanding the focus of the program to meet the continuing advances in technology and the advent of the “information age”.
As the program moves into the new era as the Catherine J. Randall Research Scholars, we look forward to the challenge to expand the program objective to develop students into leaders whose vision will improve the quality of life for any and all citizens of the world.
Through the generous and lifetime support of the H. Pettus Randall, IV family, the program moves forward into the next era as the Catherine J. Randall Research Scholars Program.
Dr. Seebeck
Biography
Dr. Charles L. Seebeck was born July 19, 1908, in Charleston, South Carolina. He earned his B.A. degree in mathematics from the College of Charleston, his M.A. degree from Harvard University, and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Dr. Seebeck joined the faculty of The University of Alabama in 1939. When the first computer center was established at the Capstone, he served as its director. When the Computer-Based Honors Program was founded in 1968, he also served as its director. Dr. Seebeck died in August 1982, and the University’s contemporary computer center is named in his memory.
Founding of the Computer-Based Honors Program
In 1968, Dr. Charles L. Seebeck established the University of Alabama Computer-Based Honors Program for the creative and independent student. He realized through his work with students in the University Computer Center that the computer would be an ideal tool for teaching bright students. Dr. Seebeck directed the Program until he retired in 1976. Dr. Thomas F. Gatts then replaced him as director.