If you are curious about the educational background of famous people, you might have wondered where did Craig Newmark go to college. Craig Newmark is the founder of Craigslist, one of the most popular online classifieds platforms in the world. He is also a philanthropist who supports various causes such as journalism, veterans, and women in technology. This article will explore his college journey and how it influenced his career and life.
| Name | College Attended | Degree(s) Earned | Field of Study/Major | Graduation Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craig Newmark | Case Western Reserve University | Bachelor of Science, Master of Science | Computer Science | 1975, 1977 |
Educational Journey:
Craig Newmark attended Case Western Reserve University, a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio. He majored in computer science and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the same institution. He was interested in programming and artificial intelligence and worked on various projects such as a chess program and a natural language parser. He also received several honors and awards for his academic performance, such as the Sigma Xi Research Award and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society membership. He was involved in some extracurricular activities, such as the student newspaper and the radio station. He had some influential professors and mentors, such as Edward Feigenbaum, who is considered the father of expert systems.
Early Life and Background:
Craig Newmark was born in Morristown, New Jersey, in 1952. He grew up in a Jewish family and attended a Hebrew school. His father, a salesman, died when he was 13 years old. His mother, a bookkeeper, raised him and his brother alone. He was a shy and nerdy kid who loved reading science fiction and comic books. He showed an early interest in computers and technology and learned how to code on his own.
Post-College Journey:
After graduating from Case Western Reserve University, Craig Newmark moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he worked as a programmer for IBM for 17 years. He then moved to San Francisco, California, where he joined Charles Schwab, a financial services company. In 1995, he started an email list to share local events and information with his friends and colleagues. The list soon grew into a website that allowed users to post and browse ads for various categories such as jobs, housing, services, and personals. The website became known as Craigslist and became one of the most visited sites on the internet. Craig Newmark remained the CEO of Craigslist until 2000 when he stepped down and became the chairman and customer service representative. He also founded Craig Newmark Philanthropies in 2016, a charitable organization that supports journalism, veterans, women in technology, voting rights, and other causes.
Impact and Significance:
Craig Newmark’s college education gave him the skills and knowledge to pursue his passion for computers and technology. His experience at Case Western Reserve University also exposed him to different perspectives and cultures that shaped his values and vision. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the internet economy and a leader in the sharing economy. He is also admired for his humility and generosity and his commitment to serving the public interest.
Interesting Anecdotes or Trivia:
Here are some interesting facts about Craig Newmark’s college years:
- He met his wife, Eileen Whelpley, at Case Western Reserve University. They married in 2012 after dating for over 10 years.
- He was nicknamed “Craig from Craigslist” by his classmates because he always posted ads for things he wanted to sell or buy on the bulletin boards.
- He once wrote a letter to the editor of the student newspaper criticizing the administration for not providing enough computer resources for students.
- He was inspired by the motto of Case Western Reserve University: “Think beyond the possible.”
Relevance to Today’s Students:
Craig Newmark’s college journey can teach today’s students many valuable lessons:
- Follow your passion and curiosity. Craig Newmark pursued computer science because he loved it and wanted to learn more about it. He did not let any obstacles or challenges stop him from achieving his goals.
- Be open-minded and adaptable. Craig Newmark embraced new opportunities and technologies that came his way. He also adapted to different environments and cultures that he encountered during his college years.
- Be generous and altruistic. Craig Newmark used his success and wealth to give back to society and support causes that he cared about. He also maintained a simple and modest lifestyle despite his fame and fortune.
Conclusion
Craig Newmark is an example of someone who used his college education to make a positive impact on the world. He went to Case Western Reserve University where he studied computer science and developed his skills and interests. He then applied his knowledge and creativity to create Craigslist, one of the most influential websites on the internet. He also founded Craig Newmark Philanthropies to support journalism, veterans, women in technology, and other causes. He is a role model for students who want to pursue their dreams and make a difference.