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1st Randy Pausch Prize from CMU ETC goes to Pixar’s Ed Catmull

As much as anyone Dr. Randy Pausch embodied creativity and technology combined. His work founding and teaching at the Entertainment Technology Center for Carnegie Mellon University, his life long passions, including working for Walt Disney Imagineering, and his emotional “Last Lecture”, in fact a gift for his kids, are good models for us all. So it makes sense that Dr. Ed Catmull, the co-founder of Pixar and current President of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, be awarded the first Randy Paucsh Prize.

Without the leadership and vision of Dr. Ed, Pixar would not exist; without his passion for excellence and creativity, Pixar would not have hit every ball out of the park with a perfect record of films out of the Emeryville Studios. Catmull will give a speech at CMU on September 26th when he receives his award.

The full press release is below the cut:

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Shameless Plug: Ken Reviews _Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends_

My review of the just-released book Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park by Jeff Kurtti is now up at LaughingPlace.com.  I really hope you’ll read my review – or at least pretend to.  In case you couldn’t tell or… Read More »Shameless Plug: Ken Reviews _Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends_

New Imagineering History Book for sale

Ever look at a book cover and know right away you have to add it to your collection? I just had that experience with “Walt Disney’s Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park” by Jeff Kurtti. That’s my grandfather Vic Greene… Read More »New Imagineering History Book for sale

Disney develops close ties with Carnegie Mellon University

The Walt Disney Company knew they had hit upon a good thing when they invited Dr. Randy Pausch to join their team at Walt Disney Imagineering to help build their virtual reality program. Yes, that’s the same professor who recently died after fighting cancer and… Read More »Disney develops close ties with Carnegie Mellon University

Harriet Burns, Official Disney Obituary

Note: Disney has released this obituary for Harriet Burns. I’ve included it in full here. Harriet Burns, Disney Legend and Veteran Imagineer For More Than 31 Years, Dies at 79 Helped to Create Classic Attractions For Disneyland and 1964 New York World’s Fair Harriet Burns,… Read More »Harriet Burns, Official Disney Obituary

Harriet Burns, Disney Legend and Imagineer has died at age 79

Harriet Burns, Disney Legend and Imagineer has died at age 79. Burns was the first woman ever hired by Walt Disney Imagineering in a creative rather than an office capacity. Her role as an attraction and product designer for Walt Disney Imagineering laid a path… Read More »Harriet Burns, Disney Legend and Imagineer has died at age 79

Walt Disney Family Museum Preview

If you weren’t lucky enough to attend Jeff Kurtti’s session at this summer’s NFFC Convention, then LaughingPlace.com has your best chance to see a preview of the Walt Disney Family Museum. It’s great that Jeff was there to provide this sneak peek, but the death… Read More »Walt Disney Family Museum Preview

LAX’s Theme Building Getting Some TLC

The Theme Building at Los Angeles International Airport is that iconic arched structure with the round observation deck and restaurant in the middle. I remember hearing that it was in need of some repairs, but I had now idea how extensive it would be. LA… Read More »LAX’s Theme Building Getting Some TLC