Editor’s Note: Ira Burton – a double alum from Boise State University – has been appointed by College of Engineering Dean JoAnn S. Lighty as the inaugural director of the Boise State School of Computing. He sat down with Boise State’s Jamie Fink for a conversation about the new school, its mission, the future – and his first day back at the Blue.
Question: As an alumni of Boise State, how does it feel to now be leading one of the University’s newest schools?
Ira Burton: “I am very excited, this feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m thankful for the trust of Dean Lighty and Provost Buckwalter in selecting me to build and lead this new school. It is great to be back at Boise State and having a part in Boise State’s success story.”
Q: Why is a School of Computing needed at Boise State?
IB: “Computing’s transformative impact is visible everywhere, from how we do our jobs, entertain ourselves, and connect with loved ones. With advances in hardware and software, the momentum is increasing for more integration into our lives.I’m excited to guide Boise State’s response to Idaho’s need for every graduate to be computing savvy in their field to be prepared for their next opportunity.”
Q: Why will the School of Computing be housed in the College of Engineering? What is unique about the structure of the new school?
IB: “I believe the School of Computing could be housed in any of Boise State’s colleges, and I intend to have associations with faculty and students from all colleges. The school is uniquely structured to work horizontally through partnerships across the university. This horizontal collaboration is key to bringing new industry engagements to the university. The College of Engineering has strong, established connections with tech and engineering companies, and this goes a long way in launching the school.”
Q: What immediate goals do you have for the School?
IB: “Being new to Boise State, and starting a new school, means I represent change to everyone I meet. My vision for the school is to be a collaborative partner empowering education, research, and industry with computing’s limitless possibilities. This leads to more opportunities for students, industry engagement for faculty, and increased research success. Healthy change can only move at the speed of trust, and so becoming a trusted partner is the immediate goal.”
Q: What are the 5-10 year goals for the School of Computing?
IB: “I think it is too early to set specific goals, I’m focused on listening to what others need from the school, then I’ll set specific goals. But in broad terms: in five years, I want the School of Computing to be so integrated throughout Boise State University, one can’t imagine the campus without it. In 10 years, one can’t imagine Idaho without it.”
Q: Why is it important for students in all fields to have a solid grounding in technology and ethics?
IB: “With technology increasingly impacting us socially, ethical questions that have always been, are manifesting themselves in new situations. Privacy, ownership, and responsibility questions can be raised just by downloading a free-app that collects your data. For Boise State graduates to be equipped as ethical leaders of the future, they need to understand the capabilities of technology and the ethical frameworks needed to evaluate how that technology is being used.”
Q: What makes Boise State uniquely positioned to contribute to the U.S. technology boom?
IB: “Boise State’s physical proximity to Idaho’s legislation, a vibrant downtown start-up scene, two fortune 500 Company headquarters, a $15B fab investment, and a National Lab 4-hours away sets the stage for the potential. But it will be Boise State’s “Blue Turf Thinking” that differentiates it from other institutions.”
Q: Can you tell us a bit about where you’re from and your upbringing?
IB: “I grew up in the Treasure Valley, my elementary years in Ontario and Nyssa, Oregon, and junior and senior high in Nampa, Idaho. I’m the oldest with a brother and two sisters, with a 19 year total age gap. Most of my upbringing was my parents pushing me to get out of my comfort zone, as I struggled with being shy. I enjoyed having younger siblings, and spent my freetime organizing games with them and the neighbor kids.”
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?
IB: “My Grandfather used to tell me ‘Don’t ever retire, you are going to get bored.’ He was a World War II veteran that didn’t complete 4th grade because after his dad passed, he went to work for a canning factory. After the war, he helped start OreIda, running the production plant. When Heinz bought the plant, he was out of a job; they didn’t want a leader that never finished elementary school. I interpreted his advice as never stop providing value, always be growing, and find ways to reinvent yourself. I believe Ben Stein (the writer, lawyer, economist, and actor) is an example of this reinvention. I got a chance to talk with Mr. Stein once, and as I turned to leave, he grabbed me by the shoulder and said ‘Ira, don’t ever retire, you are going to get bored’.”