Richard M. Karp Fund

One of the founders of the field of theoretical computer science, Richard M. Karp has exerted a powerful influence over a wide range of topics in the foundations of computing, from algorithms and complexity theory to computational biology. He has served as an advisor to over 70 graduate students, and has humbly shared his love of algorithms with thousands of undergraduates over the course of 45 years of teaching.

The Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing, which flourished under Dick’s leadership as Founding Director, has launched a fundraising campaign in his honor, on the occasion of his third (and possibly final) retirement from UC Berkeley. We invite you to make a gift today through our online portal. For information on making a gift by check, wire transfer, securities, or as an estate/planned gift, contact Senior Development Director Amy Ambrose, at amyambrose@berkeley.edu.

Separately, we are delighted to announce the establishment of the Richard M. Karp Distinguished Lectures, a series of talks on campus by eminent computing theorists. The Institute has created a permanent installation in Calvin Lab celebrating Dick’s lifelong contributions to the field of theoretical computer science. The installation was unveiled, and the lecture series launched, in Fall 2019.