John D. Gannon (1948-1999)

Professor John D. Gannon, Former Chair of the Department of Computer Science University of Maryland, died on June 12, 1999.

Dr. Gannon was born and raised in Rhode Island. He received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Brown University, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Toronto. He joined the University of Maryland faculty in 1975.

Dr. Gannon was a leading figure in computer science through his research in software engineering -- the specification, analysis, and testing of software systems. He was also a gifted teacher and received many awards for his work with students, including the University of Maryland Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Award. He was on the Board of Directors of the Computing Research Association, chairing the Graduate Record Examination Board computer science committee. He was a program officer with the National Science Foundation and a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

Professor Gannon is survived by his wife, Nancy Garrison, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and a brother, Rickard Gannon of Foster, Rhode Island.

The John D. Gannon Scholarship Fund has been established to commemorate John's commitment to students and education at the University of Maryland. Contributions to the annual scholarship award can be made online, or by sending a check payable to "University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc." and sent to the Office of Gift Acceptance, 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20740. Donors should clearly indicate that their contribution is for the Gannon Scholarship award.