Join us in marking a significant milestone for Carnegie Mellon University's Master of Software Engineering (MSE) program as we celebrate 35 years of innovation, impact, and community. From April 4th to April 6th, 2025, we invite alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the MSE program to gather for a weekend of reconnection, reflection, and celebration.
Event Highlights
Welcome Reception
Opening Reception: Friday, April 4th, 2025 with Guest Speaker Arnold Blinn.
Grand Celebration Dinner
Various activities on and keynote speaker: Saturday, April 5th, 2025
Farewell Breakfast
Breakfast and Affinity Groups: Sunday, April 6th, 2025
This year's anniversary coincides with CMU's Spring Carnival, giving even more reason to return to campus and enjoy the vibrant community we all cherish!
Speaker Arnold Blinn
Arnold Blinn, a distinguished software engineer and technologist, brings decades of expertise from his roles as Chief Product Architect at GoDaddy and Partner Architect at Microsoft, where he shaped innovations in Windows Phone, Xbox, and Azure. A co-founder of eShop, Inc., an early pioneer in online commerce acquired by Microsoft, Arnold's career spans groundbreaking advancements in technology with over 30 patents to his name. A proud Carnegie Mellon University alumnus with a B.S. in Mathematics (Computer Science), Arnold has served as a visiting scholar and continues to guide future tech leaders as a School of Computer Science advisory board member. His topic "Ctrl-Alt-Del: Have you tried turning it off and back on again? Why rebooting your skills is the only constant." will be an opportunity to hear from one of the industry’s most influential minds!
Spring Carnival
Get ready to roll out the red carpet at this year’s CMU Spring Carnival, where Hollywood glamour meets campus spirit! Join us for a dazzling celebration filled with star-studded activities, from carnival games to movie-themed booths. Immerse yourself in the magic of the Silver Screen as we showcase student talent and creativity in a spectacular event. Whether you're a film buff or just looking for fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come celebrate spring with us and let your inner star shine at Spring Carnival 2025!
Venue & Accommodations
Kimpton Hotel Monaco
620 William Penn Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
A room block with special rates is reserved for our anniversary guests at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, Downtown Pittsburgh. The hotel will honor the room block rate for up to three days prior and post the event dates. Reservations must be booked by March 4th, 2025 in order to receive a discounted rate. Room availability and pricing is not guaranteed after this date.
Accommodations
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Reserve online: CMU Software Engineering 35th Anniversary Celebration
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Call for reservations: (833) 469-8452
Room Block Rates:
Room Type |
Rate per Night |
|---|---|
King Room |
$219.00 |
Queen Room |
$249.00 |
Reference "CMU Software Engineering 35th Anniversary Celebration" or use block code Z88. Rooms are held on a courtesy basis until the Group Release Cutoff Date of March 4, 2025. Availability and rates cannot be guaranteed after this date.
Hotel Monaco Rooftop Views
Ready for our event?
Event Sponsorship Opportunities
There are three sponsorship tiers for the MSE 35th Anniversary. Each sponsor will be appropriately recognized in digital and printed media as well as throughout the venue during the event.
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Silver (up to $1000)
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Gold ($1001-$5000)
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Platinum (over $5000)
Sponsorship funds will support various events throughout the weekend, including breakfast, bus rental, photo booth, drinks/bar, and live music. For more details please contact Sasha Balobeshkina at abwalker@andrew.cmu.edu
RSVP Today
Please complete the form below to confirm your attendance and stay informed about event details. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
MSE 35th Anniversary RSVP Form
Dr. Dewanne Phillips
"I am very excited to attend the Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Software Engineering (MSE) program anniversary of 35 years! What an exemplar Master’s program that I participated in – not only did I gain an education on state of the art software engineering practices, but I also I advanced my programmatic/management skills. CMU is on the forefront of advancing innovative and emerging technologies in coursework (e.g., AI/ML, cybersecurity, robotics). I look forward to the 35th anniversary to celebrate, network, and collaborate with other CMU cohorts."
Shanthi Subramanian
"Hey MSE class of 1997 – it has been 28 years since our graduation. I would love to see many of you at this reunion and exchange updates on our lives, the joys and triumps of applying software engineering principles and process, to the plans for the future as many are probably starting to think about retirement."
Sharadha Venketasubramanian
"It warms my heart to hear about the 35th anniversary celebration of the MSE program! Even though it has been almost 20 years since I graduated, I still hold dear the wonderful memories from my time at CMU and in Pittsburgh. The experience of embracing the western mode of education, engaging in projects, and participating in lively intellectual discussions on campus truly ignited my passion for computer science. My heart is full of gratitude!"
Gabriel Zenarosa
"I still remember MSE 25 being a special gathering—with talks at the then-new Gates & Hillman Centers, visit to NREC, receptions at the Engine House 25 and History Museum, and a specially labeled souvenir MSE 25 wine bottle—and I cannot wait for MSE 35!"
Vijay Sai Vadlamudi
"Thirty five years and counting, doesn’t mean the MSE program has just been around, but, more importantly, has relentlessly adjusted to transfer skills which make us all relevant, because it knew we share two thing in common, the passion to reason, create and sustain. The program has prepared us for tomorrow, yesterday. And all of us meeting on Apr 4-6, 2025 will have the opportunity to demonstrate why we stand as the flag-bearers to digital transformation than any other of our ilk. So don’t wait, sign-up, and see you all soon."
Ajoy Chakrapani
"I am absolutely thrilled to participate in the 35th anniversary of the MSE program! It feels like just yesterday I was pulling all-nighters at the CAVE, fueled by nothing but caffeine and a questionable amount of pizza. Those sleepless nights were filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all that this program and University has given me. This milestone is not just a celebration; it’s a reflection of our past achievements and a reminder of how far we’ve come together. Looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and reminiscing about our incredible journey!"
Marc Novakouski
"The Master of Software Engineering program was a life-changing experience that laid the groundwork for my career and life going forward. I am not the same person today that I was in 2006/7, and I am excited to see how the lives of my colleagues have evolved as well. The 35th anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to see how friends have grown and evolved, and the impact Carnegie Mellon has had on our lives, the software industry, and the global community."
Mohinder Dick
"I'm excited to contribute to the legacy of the MSE program as an ambassador for the 2010 class. I'm consistently encouraged when I revisit the program. It's fun to witness the same zeal of the fosters in the students for role they can play in society through the discipline of software engineering. The fire in their eyes and the buzz of their conversations hearkens me to my experience with the program. The jargon has evolved and the studio space is more nifty. But the drive and energy remain."
Srikanta Datta
"Carnegie Mellon MSE program's rigorous curriculum and vibrant community devoted to advancing technology, immersed in cutting-edge projects and collaborative labs, have equipped me with lifelong skills for excellence, and a passion for engineering innovative products. Years later, Andrew Carnegie’s timeless words—'My heart is in the work'—continue to inspire me to push boundaries and create meaningful impact. It’s an honor to celebrate 35 years of this pioneering program, and I look forward to many more years of trailblazing brilliance and to meeting all the fellow alumni during the 35th Anniversary of the program on April 4-6, 2025!"
